Articles tagged with Food Security
Small-scale farming households in India experienced improved calorie consumption and dietary quality after adopting genetically modified (GM) cotton. The technology enabled these households to afford more and better food, reducing food insecurity by 15-20%. GM crops may be an important component of a broader food security strategy.
A University of Illinois researcher advocates for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a cornerstone in reducing food insecurity. Improvements are needed to increase participation and benefits, particularly for those at lower ends of the benefit structure.
A recent study suggests that empowering women farmers with knowledge of improved agricultural practices and modern storage methods can significantly increase food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. This approach has been shown to reduce poverty and post-harvest losses, leading to a more stable food supply.
A new study published in Significance magazine assesses how precision agriculture can improve the farming economy and crop quality, ensuring food security. Geostatistics is used to map and predict soil properties, allowing farmers to apply inputs like fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently.
A six-week cooking program with plant-based recipes reduced food spending and improved food security among participants. Adopting a few plant-based meals per week can lead to significant financial benefits and improved health outcomes.
A study at the University of Liverpool found that disease risk in ladybirds cannot be predicted without understanding disease dynamics at a small geographical scale. The researchers discovered that differences in mating rates across habitats, driven by food supply, contributed to varying disease outbreak sites.
Researchers at SMU are analyzing social networks and isolation's role in fighting hunger in North Texas. The study aims to understand the causes of food insecurity beyond household economic resources.
Researchers at University of Illinois mapped 4,648 urban agriculture sites in Chicago using Google Earth, finding that residential gardens and vacant lot gardens contribute substantially to food production. Backyard gardens, underappreciated and unsupported, also play a crucial role in food security, particularly in areas with limited ...
A lack of consideration for older people's needs in emergency situations is hindering their response, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and HelpAge International. This group faces unique challenges such as difficulty traveling and accessing relief supplies, leading to increased mortality and morbidity rates.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that food insecurity is strongly associated with adolescent mental disorders. The study examined 6,483 adolescents aged 13-17 years and found that a one standard deviation increase in food insecurity was linked to a 14% increased odds ...
A new study published in the AIDS Journal found that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV can lead to reduced food insecurity among patients. The treatment improved work status and mental health, resulting in decreased hunger rates, with the most pronounced effects seen in those receiving ART.
Palestinian refugees face chronic illnesses, water leakage issues, and poverty-related health problems. A significant correlation was found between chronic illness and water leakage, as well as between poverty and ill health.
A study published in JAIDS found that starting antiretroviral therapy reduces food insecurity and improves physical health among HIV-infected Africans. Food insecurity is linked to higher rates of opportunistic infections, poorer immune responses, and increased risk of death.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories created a method to analyze food supply networks using stochastic network representation, which can help identify contaminated food sources more quickly. This technique uses probability maps to express uncertainties in supplier-customer relationships and assess the risk of foodborne illness.
A University of Illinois economist warns that cutting SNAP benefits would exacerbate food insecurity in the US. Restricting food choices through programs like New York City's sports drink ban also discourages participation and leads to more food insecurity.
A study by UCSF researchers found that HIV-infected individuals living in San Francisco's urban poor are more likely to visit emergency rooms and have hospital stays if they lack access to sufficient quality and quantity of food. The study found that nearly half of the participants were classified as food insecure.
Participatory agroforestry has restored land and secured the food supply in DPR Korea, increasing tree cover and productivity. The user groups' involvement and rights-to-use agreements contributed to the project's success.
Researchers developed models to address complex interactions among multiple stakeholders in the biofuel supply chain. They found that diverting corn crops to ethanol can affect food prices, but overall system welfare improves, with farmers as primary beneficiaries. The study's holistic model provides guidelines for optimizing the biofu...
Climate change is expected to reduce agriculture productivity by up to 50% in Southeast Asia, posing a significant threat to food security. Climate-smart agriculture has become crucial for the region's adaptation strategy, focusing on innovations to adapt agriculture to wild swings in climate extremes.
A recent study in Brazil found that severe food insecurity is associated with increased symptoms of sexually transmitted infection and decreased condom use among women. The authors argue that addressing food insecurity could have beneficial implications for HIV prevention by reducing risk avoidance behaviors.
The US Pharmacopeial Convention's new database highlights olive oil, milk, and honey as top adulterated ingredients. Food fraud, a collective term for substitution or misrepresentation of food products for economic gain, poses significant risks to consumers.
African scientists are being enabled to partner on new research programs focusing on animal and crop health, with the goal of improving productivity under challenges like diseases and abiotic stresses. The BecA-ILRI Hub has set up a capacity building fund called the Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund (ABCF) for African scientists.
The new 'Geo-Wiki' web tool utilizes Google Earth and crowdsourced data to enhance the accuracy of global land use and forest cover information. By leveraging a network of volunteers, Geo-Wiki aims to produce more accurate hybrid land cover maps than existing individual products.
The new approach allows for reliable sensing with compact devices, opening up potential applications in national security, food processing, breath analyzers, industrial monitoring, and more. Researchers have improved the performance of microsensors using tiny vibrating microcantilevers to detect chemical and biological agents.
Research on Trichoderma highlights its use as biocontrol agents to reduce chemical pesticide use, improving food security. The fungus also forms symbiotic associations with plants, altering gene expression to increase plant growth and productivity.
A team of MSU researchers is working on a project to link climate change to coping strategies and impacts on food production, security, and incomes for farm families in Zambia and Kenya. The study will provide new information on how climate change affects farming households and their responses.
Climate change threatens global food security, but new studies suggest that genetic traits in seeds and crop wild relatives can help. Developing heat-tolerant potato varieties could reduce climate-related damage by up to 65% of the world's potato crop.
Researchers are working with major UK retailers to reduce bacterial infections in chickens and lower food poisoning cases. The study focuses on improving chicken welfare to combat Campylobacter infection, a leading cause of food poisoning.
Researchers aim to enhance knowledge of barriers and opportunities for improving food security and economic viability through local and regional food system development. A thriving local food system provides ample opportunity to improve human health, reconnect people with the land, and attract new farmers.
Modern humans arriving from Africa swarmed the region with over ten times the population of Neanderthals, leading to their sudden disappearance. The incoming group's superior hunting technologies, social contacts, and complex behavioural patterns allowed them to outcompete Neanderthals for resources.
Access to fresh and healthy foods is crucial for long-term food security, according to Michelle Kaiser. Increasing local food production can reduce economic and environmental impacts of transporting food, enabling people to avoid processed, unhealthy foods.
Climate change increases plant vulnerability to infectious disease, threatening crop yield and food security. Exploiting crop diversity is crucial for improving resilience to pathogens and stresses.
A four-year USDA-funded grant will improve agricultural productivity and nutrition in Mozambique through a trilateral cooperation between the US, Brazil, and MSU. The initiative aims to create economic opportunities for low-income farmers by training them on technology and marketing fresh produce.
Researchers found that about a third of wild-collected Dictyamoeba are 'farmers' who store bacteria as food and thrive in environments where others struggle to find sustenance. The study's findings suggest potential insights into the development of new treatments for diseases like tuberculosis.
The USDA has awarded $5.5 million to a research program aimed at understanding the causes and consequences of childhood hunger in the United States. The program will explore policy solutions to alleviate food insecurity among low-income families.
A Canadian study found that 22% of families with a child diagnosed with diabetes were food insecure, leading to poorer diabetes control and higher hospitalization rates. The researchers call for improved financial support and increased awareness among healthcare professionals to address this issue.
A new study found that food-insecure adults with diabetes have higher body mass indexes and greater financial constraints on food choices. However, after receiving nutrition education via telemedicine, both groups reported improved diet adherence and similar lab values associated with diabetes care.
A new report highlights the need for increased investment in diverse water storage options to reduce uncertainty and improve production of rainfed farming. The study argues against overreliance on single solutions like big dams, proposing an integrated approach that combines large- and small-scale storage options.
The American Dietetic Association calls for systemic action to achieve food and nutrition security for all in the US. Interventions include increased funding for food assistance programs, nutrition education, and innovative economic support initiatives.
A recent study found that hungry children are more likely to experience poor health, with repeated episodes of hunger being particularly toxic. The association holds even after adjusting for other factors such as low income and lack of home ownership, highlighting the need for policy interventions to address food insecurity.
The AWARD Fellowship program recognizes and supports top African female scientists conducting critical food security research. Since its inception in 2008, the fellowships have empowered over 1,600 women scientists to strengthen their research and leadership skills.
A new study found that a simple 2-question survey can effectively identify families with hungry children, allowing for early interventions and preventing serious health consequences. The study analyzed data from over 30,000 families nationwide and found that only two questions could accurately identify most families affected by hunger.
Researchers found that while municipal employees and public health officials believed walkable neighborhoods could promote healthy lifestyles, developers were skeptical about individual responsibility. The study also revealed a surprising lack of concern for access to affordable healthy food options in neighborhood design.
A recent University of Missouri study found that food insecurity and hunger among children persist even in households with food stamps and other forms of assistance. Informal food supports through churches and food pantries are related to improved child food security.
A recent study by the University of Illinois found that food insecurity is associated with a higher body mass index, greater weight gain during pregnancy, and a higher risk for gestational diabetes. Pregnant women who experienced food insecurity were more likely to develop health complications.
A new study highlights the high prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women living in food-insecure households. Women from these households were more likely to experience severe pregravid obesity and greater gestational weight gain, which can lead to pregnancy complications.
A new study published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health found that Inuit preschoolers in Nunavut are heavier but just as tall as their US counterparts. The study, which surveyed 26% of three to five year olds in 16 Nunavut communities, shows a remarkable change from previous work on Inuit infants.
Researchers from the University of Idaho are exploring biotechnology and synthetic biology to address the world's growing population needs. The goal is to provide healthy, nutritious, and adequate food supplies using technological interventions in agriculture.
A study of 388 Inuit children aged 3-5 years found that 70% lived in households with insufficient food, contributing to high rates of obesity and overweight. The researchers emphasize the need for strengthened support systems for Inuit families with young children.
A study of 8,500 low-income children ages 1-5 found an association between household food insecurity and overweight prevalence. Food-insecure households were more prevalent among girls under 2 years old, but not boys; however, among girls aged 2-5, those from food-insecure households had a 47% higher odds of being overweight.
A Pew poll shows that 90% of Iowa voters believe the government should have stronger food protections. The survey also found that half of respondents had lost confidence in the safety of US food due to high-profile outbreaks, and more than half of seniors shared this sentiment.
Research by the International Rice Research Institute has led to early rice harvests, reducing famine in northwest Bangladesh. The new methods allow farmers to plant rice earlier and use shorter-duration varieties, improving food security and reducing monga.
Representative Hinchey recognized for his strong support of a national research portfolio that invests in all sciences. He has been a long-time champion for the agricultural and biological sciences, recognizing their key role in addressing society's challenges.
A new study by University of Illinois business professor Yunchuan Liu finds that in-store marketing has surged in the last decade, offering retailers a pricing edge over traditional media. The study suggests that in-store advertising will become increasingly important for impulse purchases and brand awareness campaigns.
Climate change may lead to severe food shortages affecting half the world's population by 2100, as tropical regions experience reduced crop yields and increased water stress. The research highlights the need for adaptation and mitigation strategies to address these impacts.
A recent study by JAMA Network found that households with adult smokers have lower rates of daily healthy food access compared to non-smoking households. This association is particularly concerning in low-income families, where food insecurity rates are already high.
A study found that households experiencing energy insecurity are more likely to face food insecurity, leading to negative health outcomes, hospitalizations, and developmental risks in infants and toddlers. Researchers also emphasized the need for healthcare providers to consider household energy security when making treatment decisions.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that mothers' stress levels contribute to their children's likelihood of being overweight, even in food-secure households. The study analyzed data from over 800 children and found that young children were most affected by household stress.
Researchers found that children from food-insecure households are two-thirds more likely to experience developmental risks compared to those from food-secure households. The study suggests providing nutritional interventions to young children and their families can decrease the need for later interventions.
The New York Academy of Medicine has released a report and tools to help households, workplaces, schools, and governments anticipate and address problems in emergencies. The report identifies critical gaps in current plans, including unaddressed sheltering-in-place issues and inadequate safety measures.