Articles tagged with Food Security
A cohort study found that expanded child tax credit (ECTC) enacted substantially lowers food insecurity, whereas ECTC expiration significantly raises it. The monthly payment structure and lack of earnings requirements may play a crucial role in preventing food insecurity.
A recent study by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT found that women's empowerment is associated with improved child nutrition, health, and education. The research shows that empowered women contribute to fewer underweight and wasted children, as well as improved household dietary diversity.
A systematic review found that universal free school meals were associated with increased meal participation and no significant improvements in attendance. The study also noted a decrease in obesity prevalence and suspension rates, although the evidence for these findings was moderate to low certainty.
Research published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that meals from community cafés had significantly higher diet quality than meals not eaten at the café, measured by the Healthy Eating Index. This improvement was particularly pronounced for individuals with very low food security. The study suggests that commu...
A study by University of Surrey researchers highlights the importance of public bodies investing in local food systems to create healthier communities. Community cafes and pantries have been shown to empower volunteers and promote knowledge sharing about food, while grant funding and council support can unlock new projects.
A comprehensive study reveals that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly added to US pesticide products, contaminating waterways and posing potential threats to human health. The study found that pesticides containing PFAS are widely used in staple foods, flea treatments for pets, and insect-killing sprays.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that mothers' mental health suffers when their families lack food resources, especially if they are the ones going without food. The study highlights the need for strategies to help moms or caregivers manage their mental health during times of food insecurity.
A research team led by Clemson University Professor Shahid Mukhtar aims to identify natural biological solutions through the microbiome to help soybeans survive extreme heat and drought. The study will focus on the cellular level, soil microbiomes, and plant responses to environmental stresses.
Households in Liberia that participated in forest-based activities reduced their food scarcity by 84 percent. The research also found that forests can capture carbon and advance sustainability goals for low- and middle-income countries, reducing hunger and improving well-being.
Climate change is predicted to decrease strawberry yields by as much as 40% due to increased temperatures. Sustainable farming practices can help mitigate this effect, ensuring a stable food supply for everyone.
A recent poll of older adults reveals that those in their 50s and early 60s who face financial stress are more likely to experience negative health effects. The study found that 47% of people aged 50-64 reported being impacted by inflation, with many cutting back on everyday expenses.
The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) has issued a position paper emphasizing the importance of emergency-related food and nutrition education before, during, and after disasters. The paper highlights challenges in accessing safe, nutritious foods and beverages in post-disaster situations, particularly among historica...
A USC Dornsife study finds that nearly one in four LA County residents experience food insecurity, while almost half with nutrition insecurity do not report food insecurity, highlighting the need for addressing both issues to improve access and address barriers to healthy diets.
Researchers found that WIC enrollment was associated with lower rates of gestational diabetes, preterm birth, blood transfusions, and ICU admissions. This suggests that programs like WIC can improve pregnancy health.
A new outreach program, NESTS, has been developed to address the unique needs of Spanish-speaking trauma patients. The program connects patients with follow-up care, community resources, and social services, helping to improve their recovery outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a new source of resistance to the devastating wheat blast disease, leveraging a gene that also protects against powdery mildew. The Pm4 gene, found in European wheat varieties, confers dual protection against the pathogen and its effector molecule AVR-Rmg8.
Researchers use laser scanning to generate 3D models of sugar beet plants, capturing essential characteristics for AI-assisted crop improvement. The 3D models are reproducible and freely available, enabling efficient and cost-effective plant breeding in resource-poor settings.
A study by Boston University School of Public Health found that over 1 in 10 FQHC patients experience major social risk factors such as food insecurity, housing insecurity, and financial strain. These challenges are significantly higher among FQHCs serving historically disenfranchised groups.
A new study found that Americans are eating better, but disparities in diet quality persist among marginalized communities. The proportion of adults with poor dietary quality decreased from 48.8% to 36.7% between 1999 and 2020, while those with intermediate diet quality increased.
A new study found that adolescents with higher rates of prediabetes often experience adverse social determinants of health, such as food insecurity and low household income. Screening for these non-medical factors may help identify youth at risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
A study found that pesticides imidacloprid, pyraclostrobin, and glyphosate impair the mobility and immune system of Brazilian native stingless bees. Even if bees survive exposure to these pesticides, their immune systems are weakened, making them more prone to infections and increasing the risk of colony collapse.
Researchers use nanomedicine and digital twin technologies to develop Plant Nanobiotechnology, addressing agricultural challenges and increasing crop yield. Digital twins of plants enable the design of nanocarriers that target nutrient delivery to specific plant organs.
A new system developed by Boyce Thompson Institute makes affordable, mobile and high-throughput phenotyping tools accessible worldwide. This allows researchers to conduct data-driven studies on plant growth and responses over time, accelerating breeding of more resilient crop varieties.
A new poll reveals that most older adults are unaware of available resources to help them navigate aging and caregiving. Only a small minority have used programs like Area Agencies on Aging, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, and long-term services and supports. The findings highlight the need for more awareness about these se...
A mobile app survey during the first trimester predicted future depression with a high level of accuracy, identifying modifiable risk factors such as sleep quality and access to food. The study's findings offer a new approach to predicting perinatal depression and tailoring preventive care for pregnant individuals.
Global greenhouse cultivation has increased rapidly, with Asia accounting for 60.4% of global coverage. The practice provides opportunities for local food security and poverty alleviation, but raises environmental concerns such as water pollution and energy consumption.
Household wealth is strongly associated with food security, with higher relative wealth households experiencing less probability of falling into food insecurity. Assets help preserve human capital by reducing costly coping strategies like dietary modification and spending reductions. Eradicating poverty and inequality is key to reducin...
Anu has received a significant grant to support the development of its 100% compostable seedpods, which are used in its smart gardens. The company's technology enables fast and efficient growth of produce, reducing water usage by up to 90% compared to traditional gardening methods.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a framework to predict crop yield using satellite images of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. This approach could help farmers react to changing conditions, improve crop health, and reduce poverty. By leveraging satellite data, the method is cheaper and faster than traditional yiel...
A study of 500 households in Altamira found that 61% experienced food insecurity and malnutrition. The poorest group, with low educational attainment and unemployment, was most affected.
Researchers at NTU Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic develop a new, sustainable feed alternative for farmed Asian seabass, reducing reliance on wild-caught fishmeal. The single cell protein is cultivated from soybean processing wastewater, offering a promising solution to the aquaculture industry's environmental challenges.
Research finds that the Arctic warming is causing a decline in dust levels across India, the Persian Gulf Coast, and the Middle East. The study suggests that addressing dust reduction should be done in tandem with efforts to curb emissions and mitigate climate change.
Researchers evaluated different pig farming systems, finding that none performed well across all four areas: land use, greenhouse gas emissions, antibiotics use, and animal welfare. However, some individual farms did excel in all domains, highlighting the potential for trade-offs to be minimized.
Kiruba Krishnaswamy's project aims to tackle hidden hunger by developing a circular, culturally appropriate food system model. The research focuses on micronutrients and community-based solutions to address malnutrition and obesity, with the ultimate goal of reducing chronic hunger.
Perinatal Mexican-American women discussed challenges facing their families during the pandemic, including accessing food, medical information, and mental health treatment. The study recommended actionable policies and programs to meet the needs of Latino communities during future emergencies.
A new global study by the University of Copenhagen and University of Hohenheim finds that diversified agriculture improves food security, biodiversity, and well-being while having no negative effect on yields. Strategies such as livestock diversification and soil conservation yield positive outcomes.
A recent study found that California county agency workers struggle with complex SNAP eligibility criteria, leading to low participation rates among eligible college students. The research suggests simplifying the process to increase access for historically minoritized groups and low-income students.
Bee colonies face a critical 'hungry gap' when recommended pollinator plants start blooming too late in the spring, resulting in low colony survival and queen production. Adding early-blooming species like ground ivy and red dead-nettle to existing hedgerows can improve colony success rates significantly.
A recent NIH study found that living in low-income neighborhoods with limited food access during pregnancy is associated with lower birthweight and higher odds of babies born small for gestational age. However, individual food insecurity was not linked to birth outcomes.
A team of researchers decoded the origins and spread of the bottle gourd, a staple in ancient civilizations for over 10,000 years. The study mapped the genetic blueprint of 197 varieties, revealing its domestication in Southern Africa around 12,000 years ago.
A free, weekly home delivery program of fresh fruits and vegetables improved participants' nutrition levels, physical activity levels, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The 16-week program resulted in significant improvements in food insecurity, diet quality, and indicators of cardiovascular health.
A new study finds that Latinx children with unreliable access to food at age 4 are nearly four times more likely to develop fatty liver disease later. The researchers recommend earlier screening for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and ensuring public meal programs offer nutritious meals.
A recent survey of parents whose infants were under six months old during the 2022 baby formula shortage found that 81% switched formulas, with 60% experiencing issues such as fussiness, gas, spit-up, constipation, and diarrhea. The study highlights the need for improved lactation education and support to prevent infant-feeding crises.
A recent study analyzing 85,000 kilograms of donated food to Foodbank WA found that 96% met food safety standards, while four per cent were not safe for human consumption. The research highlights the need for improved regulation and guidelines in Australia's food relief sector.
A study from Florida Atlantic University identifies key social factors contributing to low breast cancer screening rates in the US. Socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and insurance status are among the top influencers of breast cancer screening behavior.
The study highlights a substantial increase in recurring and chronic food insecurity among US families with older adults over the past 20 years. This trend has significant implications for health policy and programmatic strategies to address food insecurity in this population.
A new study found that the 2021 Child Tax Credit expansion significantly reduced food insufficiency among American families, particularly those with children who experienced economic shocks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The monthly advance payments included in the expansion enabled all families to afford enough food and had a greater i...
Researchers found that individuals who engaged in home and wild food production (HWFP) activities exhibited improved food security 9-12 months later. Those who were newly food insecure during the pandemic seemed to be the best at recovering from food insecurity with HWFP.
Parents who received nutritional epigenetics education reduced ultra-processed food consumption and increased whole organic foods intake, leading to improved behavior and cognition in their children. The education intervention also reduced heavy metal exposures and dietary deficits that disrupt gene function.
New Jersey Institute of Technology chemists have developed a lab-based method to detect traces of PFAS from food packaging material, water, and soil samples in just three minutes or less. The approach, involving paper spray mass spectrometry, is 10-100 times more sensitive than current standard techniques for PFAS testing.
Researchers found that households with high seafood consumption rely on home production, bartering, and social networks to acquire seafood. Market access is key, but promoting social networks through cooperatives or fisher groups could reinforce healthy seafood diets.
A long-term study on wild orangutan males found that habitats with plentiful food increased the likelihood of social learning and cultural innovation. The researchers discovered that individuals from areas with high food availability spent more time peering at others, suggesting an animal's environment modulates social learning.
A study of 57,000 US adults found that lower levels of food security are associated with a higher risk of premature mortality and shorter life expectancy. The findings highlight the potential importance of improving food security in promoting population health and reducing health disparities.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Knoo Lee found that school nurses are well-positioned to identify students at-risk for chronic school absenteeism. Students who have many partial-day absences often proactively seek out school nurses as a source of comfort and support, presenting an opportunity for intervention before...
The project aims to develop a standardized Next Generation Science Storyline that can be delivered in any high school classroom, increasing science literacy and critical thinking among students. Pop-omics, a popcorn-based curriculum, will also provide hands-on lessons on machine learning and AI, connecting with the national AITC program.
New research reveals that domestication impacts the microbial communities associated with crops. The study found consistent effects on the plant microbiota across independently domesticated crop species in Mesoamerica and South America. Changes in seed mineral content were linked to changes in microbiome composition.
Research reveals that aquifer depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to continue meeting irrigation demands. As groundwater dwindles, agricultural losses escalate, especially for corn and soybean yields.
A survey of low-income adults showed a significant decrease in food insecurity, from 20.6% in 2019 to 15.5% in 2021. The findings highlight the importance of financial relief and nutritional benefits for vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
Researchers analyzed data from over 1,500 infants, revealing a correlation between reports of food insecurity and difficulties maintaining benefits, leading to behavioral dysfunction. The study emphasizes the importance of early intervention and highlights the role of pediatricians in connecting families with support programs.
The study found that bodega owners and customers face challenges such as high prices for fresh produce, lack of digital literacy, and mistrust of online ordering. Despite these obstacles, researchers believe that implementing online grocery shopping in bodegas can greatly benefit communities by increasing access to healthy food options.