Articles tagged with Food Security
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.
A NASA researcher has created a new method to anticipate food shortages brought on by drought using satellite remote sensing of crop growth and food prices. The model can help humanitarian aid organizations and decision makers predict how much food will be available and its cost, taking climate variables into account.
A NASA researcher has developed a new method to anticipate food shortages brought on by drought using satellite remote sensing of crop growth and food prices. The model can help government and humanitarian aid officials plan and respond to drought-induced food price increases, reducing the risk of famine.
A study found that wild bees improve honeybee effectiveness in pollinating flowers and generating seeds, especially on farms with abundant natural habitats. This phenomenon contributes significantly to the sunflower industry, adding around $10 million in value annually.
Research finds that Latino immigrant families in North Carolina face extreme hunger rates, with some areas experiencing hunger more severe than Appalachia. The study found that 35.6% to 41.8% of respondents experienced food insecurity, compared to the national average.
A K-State geography professor is researching how land use and land cover changes affect human health and food security. He uses remote sensing technology to monitor the spread of infectious diseases, such as hantavirus, and identify ecological context factors contributing to disease emergence.
A study by Ohio University researcher David Holben found that food-insecure Appalachians have a higher risk of obesity and diabetes compared to their food-secure counterparts. The research also highlighted the importance of nutrition education and managing food supply in addressing these health issues.
A study found that women in low-income food-insecure households are 50% more likely to be obese and gain at least 10 pounds in a year compared to those in fully secure households. Researchers propose modifying food assistance programs and nutrition education to address this issue.
Researchers found that home availability of healthy foods has a limited impact on adolescents' eating habits, especially compared to restaurants. The American Dietetic Association emphasizes the need for improved food preparation skills and awareness of accessible healthy options in various settings.
The Abuja Declaration endorses a five-point strategy to support capture fisheries, develop aquaculture, improve fish market chains, increase benefits from fish trade, and provide decision makers with information. African fish and fishery products have an annual export value of $2.7 billion.
Malnutrition and obesity increasingly co-exist worldwide due to dietary changes and decreased physical activity. Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are on the rise in low-income groups, exacerbated by food insecurity and under-nutrition.
Researchers found that ants use their two claws to interlock with waxy surfaces, enabling them to run efficiently. In contrast, glass rods require the presence of both claws and adhesive pads for ants to maintain traction.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that more than 85% of African Americans will use food stamps, compared to 37% of white Americans. Food stamp use is also linked to lower education levels, with 64% of adults with less than 12 years of education using them.
Researchers found that a caterpillar's adaptation to a specific fruit's chemical composition allows it to survive without triggering the plant's defense mechanism, providing a stable food supply. This unique dietary preference also shields the caterpillar from parasites, enabling it to thrive in an otherwise hostile environment.
A $300,000 study will examine the demand and availability of veterinarians in food supply-related disciplines. The research aims to address student recruitment, retention, and training to serve society.
Fortifying food supply with folic acid can markedly lower the risk of neural tube defects in offspring, such as spina bifida. The long-term safety of folic acid has been debated, but fortification is considered a better way to reach most women worldwide.
The University of Minnesota has been awarded a $10M grant to lead a national effort in food bio-security. The grant aims to enhance the nation's capabilities to anticipate and prevent deliberate contamination of the food supply, which could have devastating effects on human health and the economy.
A study by Ohio State University found that despite new regulations, only half of recalled meat and poultry products are actually recovered from the market. The number of recalls has increased due to more sensitive tests, but their success rate remains low. Small plants have shown a better recovery rate than large ones.
The new Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2385 contains pure spinach with certified concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants. Spinach is rich in beta-carotene and lutein, essential for healthy vision and eye health.
Experts from USDA, Texas A&M University, and the National Food Processors Association will present on strategies to protect America's agriculture and food supply from terrorism and biological threats. Initiatives include improved communication, rapid detection, and emergency response planning to prevent outbreaks and ensure food security.
A Wake Forest study found a high level of food insecurity among farm workers, especially those with children. The researchers recommend that agricultural employers, health and social service providers, and churches provide access to higher quality food for farm worker families to prevent future health problems.
Food-borne illness remains a major concern despite a safe food supply, as supermarkets increasingly rely on procedures and processes to meet growing demand for diverse international foods. International supermarket chains have a strong motivation to ensure food safety due to liability concerns and damage to reputation.
The new assessment tool identifies critical nodes in agricultural production processes and assesses relative vulnerability to attacks. Local authorities will use the process to evaluate their capability to respond and identify needs for additional planning, training, and equipment.
A report by Cardiff University shows that organic and agroecological farming can significantly increase yields for resource-poor farmers, improving food security and sustaining environmental resources. Case studies in India, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Bolivia demonstrate the potential of these practices.
The Texas A&M University Institute for Countermeasures against Agricultural Bioterrorism aims to develop research tools to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks on agriculture. The institute will utilize cutting-edge technologies such as surveillance networking, satellite imaging, and biotechnology to create a proactive defense system.
The project aims to improve and conserve local, traditional crops being overlooked by major international research programs. Farmers will be actively involved in selecting and multiplying varieties of neglected crops, with new technologies for better cultivation and use.
A study by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that people who feel frustrated with dietary recommendations are more likely to eat a fat-laden diet. The study, which surveyed 1,751 adults in Washington state, also found evidence of 'nutrition backlash,' where negative feelings about diet messages lead to unhealthy ea...
A prolonged period of unusually cold water off Brazil is causing Argentine penguins to venture further north in search of food. This has led to a surge in nest failures at Punta Tombo reserve due to the long absence of adult males returning to provide for their chicks.
Researchers found that bacteria thrived in around a third of common pesticides, with Shigella, E. coli, and Salmonella growing best on chlorothalonil. The risk of food poisoning could increase one-thousandfold if contaminated water is used on crops.
A study found that forest fragments have insufficient food for some songbirds, leading to reduced feeding visits and longer breeding cycles. The researchers believe that microclimates within small fragments may contribute to lower insect populations, affecting the birds' survival.
A new study reveals that female birds in tropical regions have fewer babies per nesting attempt than those in moderate, northern climates. Researchers found that clutch sizes were smaller for species with higher predation rates, but the data didn't fit the Skutch theory, suggesting other factors may be at play.
A special symposium at the American Chemical Society meeting explores how food chemistry enhances the eating experience, delivers essential nutrients, and helps lower chronic disease risk. Chemists, food producers, and a chef will share their perspectives on biotechnology's role in tailoring foods to satisfy palates and prevent diseases.
The American Chemical Society has recognized Lawrence Carosino and team for their oil barrier technology, producing reduced-fat French fries. Carlyle Caldwell pioneered research on modified food starches, expanding preserved and frozen foods.
A new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that Russian women and children are not consuming enough iron in their diets. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,000 households, revealed that more than half of the iron consumed is lost due to interactions with other foods.
A recent survey found that over half of the island's wolves have died, likely due to a sharp drop in food supply after a major moose die-off in 1996. The remaining wolves are now less than five years old, with reproductive performance being a key area of interest.
The USDA has developed Z-Trim, a low-cost agricultural byproduct-based fat substitute with a smooth mouth feel. It can supply important texture qualities in foods like cheese products and baked goods, reducing calories by up to 700 per day.
A Cornell anthropologist studies Japanese expectations for imported seafood, finding that external appearance is crucial in determining the 'perfect' tuna. American fishermen must learn about cultural differences and standards to compete with Asian buyers and meet Japan's high standards for seafood quality.