Articles tagged with Food Security
A researcher at OSU-Cascades is developing an AI-powered smart compost bin that tracks household food waste. The device prompts users to describe deposited items, transcribing notes with automatic speech recognition and collecting 3-D images and sensor measurements.
The grant aims to develop accurate household food waste measurement methodologies and metrics. Innovative technologies will help create impactful interventions to minimize and eliminate food waste in the United States and globally.
A new study from the University of Chicago shows a direct link between social determinants of health and suicide risk, with counties experiencing high levels of social vulnerability having nearly double the suicide rate as those with lower levels. The study proposes several public health policies to address these disparities.
A growing number of states have implemented policies to cover outpatient hemodialysis for undocumented immigrants with kidney failure. This expansion may be due to increased awareness of poor outcomes with emergency hemodialysis and advocacy efforts. The move towards covering dialysis in all 50 states is called for by experts, who also...
The study reveals COVID-19 worsened existing inequities in food security and rental struggles based on race and ethnicity and maternal origins. Equity-focused policy changes are necessary to ensure all US children and families can afford basic needs for optimal health.
Researchers discovered that adding cell layers to corn bran can increase iron and zinc content by up to 35% and 15%, respectively. The technique also enhances anthocyanin production, a natural pigment in corn prized for its colorant properties.
A new study suggests that US food insecurity rates may be significantly higher than previously reported, with some areas experiencing rates over twice as high as national averages. The researchers recommend conducting surveys more frequently and asking about recent experiences to improve accuracy.
Researchers found that underutilized asset building programs could be a solution to help low income families build wealth. The study showed that incorporating these programs into healthcare may make them more accessible to families in need.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University recorded and analyzed plant sounds emitted under stress, identifying specific identifiable sounds. The study suggests that plants may communicate with other plants and animals through these sounds.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that fewer than 10% of patients were screened for food insecurity during the pandemic. Screening increased to 10% after COVID-19 vaccines became available, but remained low at telehealth appointments.
A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural Economics found that home gardens can increase annual home-produced food by nearly 90% and monthly per adult equivalent incomes by 37%. These interventions also reduced poverty rates and improved nutrition among rural farming communities in Odisha, India.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that food insecurity is associated with a decline in executive function among older adults. The research used data from 3,037 community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries and suggests that interventions to increase healthy food access may be crucial in mitigating cognitive decline.
A team of MIT researchers has created an 'unclonable' label system to combat counterfeit seeds in Africa, where fake seeds can cost farmers up to two-thirds of expected crop yields. The system uses biodegradable silk-based tags with unique codes that cannot be replicated.
A new study found that a Food FARMacia program, which provided free and healthy foods to families in need, was associated with reduced childhood obesity outcomes and improved household food security. The program, which operated mobile pantries twice a month, showed a clinically significant decline in childhood obesity risk factors afte...
A new tool can accurately forecast the prevalence of individuals with insufficient access to food, allowing for timely responses. The tool was developed using data from six countries and achieved high accuracy rates, particularly in Yemen and Syria.
A University of Illinois project uses AI-powered object recognition to quantify kernel damage in wheat, enabling faster disease analysis and improved resistance. The technology has shown promising results, with potential for an online portal to automate scoring and support breeders in their efforts to eliminate fusarium head blight.
A team of microbiologists proposes using powerful microbial technologies to reduce global and local challenges leading to conflict, including food supply security and pollution. The authors advocate for deploying these technologies to address humanitarian crises and advance Sustainable Development Goals.
A study explores how nutrition educators work with incentive programs like GusNIP to promote increased intake of fruits and vegetables. Nutrition educators play a unique role in providing participant-centered education, navigating food environments, and culturally adapting programming to meet diverse audience needs.
Researchers have uncovered the ancient roots of a gene in wheat that provides resistance to the devastating Wheat Yellow Mosaic Virus, which causes significant economic losses. The discovery could lead to more resistant wheat cultivars, increased crop yields, and reduced use of harmful fungicides.
A new machine learning model developed by NYU researchers can predict food crises up to 12 months in advance by analyzing news articles and their frequency. The model shows a high correlation between news coverage and on-the-ground occurrences of risk factors, indicating its potential as an early-warning system.
Research says Syria's peacebuilding efforts must tackle the root causes of its failed state, including lack of inclusive governance and social contracts. The study also highlights the devastating impact of state failure on citizens, with widespread displacement, poverty, and food insecurity.
A new study found that Black women of childbearing age are twice as likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure as their white peers, increasing their risk of heart-related complications during pregnancy. Food insecurity was also a significant issue among Black and Hispanic women, with one in four experiencing food insecurity.
A feasibility study suggests that Iceland can produce enough Spirulina to feed six million Europeans every year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and freshwater withdrawals. The country's industrial-scale biomass cultivation system powered by renewable energy could support Northern European countries in achieving protein self-sufficie...
The Blue Food Assessment paper highlights the potential of aquatic foods to address nutrient deficiencies and cardiovascular disease. Policymakers can explore online tools and blue food policies to improve national food systems' performance and sustainability.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have developed a two-step process that cuts food waste by reducing microbial growth. The treatment, which combines UV-C irradiation and vacuum sealing, extends shelf life by 67% for animal products like salmon, and up to 124% for strawberries.
A study published in a book highlights the concentration of land ownership in Brazil, which leads to rural conflicts and violence. The authors argue that the rural population is drastically underrepresented in politics and lacks formal representation to defend its interests.
Adults living in neighborhoods with dense fast food and unhealthy food environments, known as
A recent study from Cornell University found that visual depictions of food pantry offerings, including brand names, have an ameliorative effect on negative product perceptions. The research also revealed that participants' pantry use history plays a role in their assessment of the quality of the food pantry products.
A new study from Uppsala University found that early introduction of solid foods to infants leads to an earlier end to breastfeeding and a shorter duration of breastfeeding. The research involved 1,251 infants and their mothers, with nearly half receiving tastings as early as four months.
A new study reveals Iceland's potential to become a protein self-sufficient nation, producing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of biomass while mitigating over 700 million tons of CO2 emissions. This could significantly reduce Europe's reliance on imported protein-rich feed crops and enhance food security.
Researchers analyzed ancient teeth from Homo erectus and great apes to reveal annual cycles in tooth enamel, providing insights into their diets and seasonal food supplies. The study shows that humans and great apes had distinct dietary patterns, with humans exhibiting less pronounced peaks and lower Sr/Ca values.
New research from the University of Sheffield reveals genetically modifying rice to reduce stomata can make it more salt-resistant and survive in environments with high salt levels. This adaptation could help tackle food insecurity caused by climate change.
A recent study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that families experiencing food insecurity have significantly higher health care expenditures. The research analyzed data from the 2016 and 2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and found an annual difference of about $2,456 between food-secure and food-insecure families.
The NSF Convergence Accelerator program invests $11M in solutions for vulnerable communities, with UMBC's Lauren Clay awarded $624K to develop the Food Index for Resilience. This index will measure food system functioning in communities and support disaster response and recovery.
A study suggests that high fertiliser prices could lead to an additional 100 million people being undernourished, with up to one million deaths annually. The war in Ukraine has disrupted food exports, but energy and fertiliser price spikes are the primary drivers of food price rises.
A UCR-led analysis recommends culturally sensitive mental health screenings for schools, focusing on identifying social determinants of health and strengths. These screenings can help schools build resilience, address needs like food insecurity, and combat disproportionate referrals for special education or exclusionary discipline.
A recent study by University College London reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues and food insecurity among individuals living with obesity. Nearly half of participants reported worsening mental health, while nearly a third experienced severe depression. Food insecurity also increased significantly, wi...
A team of scientists from Michigan State University conducted a study to track the supply and demand of fish in sub-Saharan Africa, revealing surprising gaps in traditional analysis. The research found that smaller fish species like usipa were more widely available than larger species like chambo, but policies were prioritizing the lat...
A new study by Bournemouth University found that young adults in the UK are willing to change their diet for environmental reasons, but many are unclear about what changes to make. The research highlights the need for greater awareness and knowledge about sustainable diets and their impact on the environment.
A new index reveals North England neighborhoods with the highest risk of food insecurity, particularly in urban areas such as Wirral and Blackpool. The map can help local authorities target support to households most at risk during the cost of living crisis.
Purdue University professor Klein Ileleji's startup JUA Technologies International aims to improve crop drying methods using a high-efficiency, smart solar dehydrator. The grant will support product-design improvements and manufacturing, enabling small growers to add value to their crops and increase income.
Research at Aston University found a significant link between childhood deprivation and impulsive behavior, leading to addictions and unhealthy choices later in life. The study showed that children from deprived areas had a higher discount rate, indicating a preference for immediate gratification.
A new study reveals that adopting high-yielding dairy cattle breeds and improving feed can help Tanzania increase milk production while reducing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and alleviating poverty. The research found that better feed can increase milk yield by up to 179% and improve the country's climate commitments.
Researchers developed disease-resistant maize genotypes for smallholder farmers, increasing safe yields and reducing aflatoxin contamination. The findings offer a promising strategy to protect food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers have discovered a high-antioxidant ingredient in passion fruit peels that can preserve fresh fruits and cuts in an edible coating, reducing spoilage and plastic packaging. The microencapsulated powders are stable, non-hygroscopic, and suitable for industrial applications.
A new study finds that seafood farming's growth rate has already peaked in 1996 and is now declining, requiring rebuilding of wild fish stocks to meet future demand. Without this approach, relying solely on aquaculture could lead to a global seafood shortage by 2030.
Stanford researchers found that dams could store over 50% of water needed for crop irrigation, but emphasize alternatives like small dams and recharged groundwater systems as more environmentally friendly options. The study aims to increase food security without depleting water stocks or harming nature.
Researchers estimate food pantry services contribute up to $28 billion nationwide, with households spending $40-$60 per trip and $600-$1,000 per year. The study provides valuable insights into the economic value of food pantries, highlighting their importance in addressing food insecurity.
A study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics estimates that access to food pantries provides a value of $600-$1,000 per client household annually. The collective value of food pantry access among pantry client households may be between $19 billion and $28 billion dollars annually.
A Stanford-led study found that cover cropping in the US Corn Belt leads to yield losses of 5.5% for corn and 3.5% for soybeans, despite its potential climate benefits. The practice's environmental impacts are complex, with reduced runoff and soil erosion but also increased water usage.
Research found that air pollution from diesel exhaust and ozone significantly reduces the reproductive success of parasitic wasps controlling aphids on oilseed rape plants. The pollutants alter plant chemistry, attracting a specific wasp species more successfully.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that changing the wording on expiration dates could help reduce food waste. The study suggests that certain labels, such as "use by" or "best if used by," may lead to more food being discarded than others.
A CABI-led study proposes seven key steps to strengthen Burundi's plant health system, aiming to enhance food security and tap into valuable export markets. The research found inadequate skills and capacity in diagnosing crop pests, hindering agricultural productivity.
A study in Brazil found that reducing childhood poverty could prevent up to 22.5% of future criminal convictions. The researchers analyzed 22 risk factors and interviewed over 1,900 children twice, finding that poverty was the only modifiable factor significantly associated with crime.
Climate change is exacerbating health crises among migrant workers in the US agriculture sector, with extreme heat and chemical exposure posing significant risks. The Lancet report highlights the unequal burdens of climate change, particularly on vulnerable populations.
A new study found that living in a community with easy access to grocery stores and affordable, healthy food is associated with lower heart failure death rates. The research analyzed data from nearly 3,000 counties in the US and found that food insecurity is linked to increased rates of death from heart failure.
A new study found that offshore mussel farms can increase species abundance, including Atlantic horse mackerel and European lobster, on degraded seabed habitats. The research suggests that this practice could have wider environmental benefits, supporting the national and international Blue Growth agenda.
A new study found that the expiration of monthly Child Tax Credit payments led to a 25% increase in food insufficiency among US households with children. The loss of cash relief benefits disproportionately impacted Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant families, exacerbating racial and economic inequities.
Researchers have made a surprising discovery that liquid smoke can enhance plant defense against pests and diseases, leading to new farming practices. The study found that sunflowers grown in soil treated with liquid smoke had larger, thicker, and greener leaves and appeared less prone to pests and disease.
The editorial urges wealthy nations to step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present, and future impacts of climate change. The climate crisis has destroyed a fifth of the GDP of the most vulnerable countries.