Genetically engineered rice needs less fertilizer, makes more food
The change coupled enhanced photosynthesis with improved nitrogen use. Enlarge / A terraced rice field in Vietnam. (credit: Getty Images) Nitrogen fertilizer is made from natural gas. Extracting and burning natural gas is harm.....»»
"Walk this way": Model explains how ants create trails to multiple food sources
It's a common sight—ants marching in an orderly line over and around obstacles from their nest to a food source, guided by scent trails left by scouts marking the find. But what happens when those scouts find a comestible motherlode?.....»»
Decline in West African coastal fish stocks threatens food security and livelihoods
Small-scale fisheries play a vital role in providing food and livelihoods for millions of people around the world, particularly in low-income countries in Africa. However, there is limited statistical data on the composition, abundance, and distribut.....»»
Climate change: Women"s role in the economy is key to a just transition
The realities of climate change are hitting home for many people living in the Global South. Food security, water access and health have been jeopardized by increased temperatures, extreme weather events and sea level rise......»»
Researchers use nanotechnology to boost benefits of anthocyanin
An article published in the journal Food Research International describes a study in which nanoencapsulated anthocyanins passed through the digestive system without being degraded, were absorbed efficiently, and reached more organs and tissues than u.....»»
Untreated sewage and fertilizer runoff threaten the Florida manatee"s main food source, contributing to malnutrition
The gentle, slow-moving Florida manatee has no natural predators......»»
Most surveyed grocery shoppers report noticing shrinkflation
Over three-quarters of surveyed consumers say they have noticed shrinkflation at the grocery store in the previous 30 days, according to the October 2024 Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI)......»»
Seaweed proteins could be the next sustainable food source
The protein in sea lettuce, a type of seaweed, is a promising complement to both meat and other current alternative protein sources. Seaweed also contains many other important nutrients, and is grown without needing to be watered, fertilized or spray.....»»
Portable spectrophotometer approach predicts shelf life of strawberries in real time
Based on non-invasive technology, a research group at the University of Cordoba has created a tool to guarantee optimal strawberry quality and minimize food waste......»»
NZ"s food manufacturers are embracing the idea of a circular economy but are slow to implement it
Around the world, the growth of industry and consumption has escalated environmental damage through increased emissions, waste and pollution from landfills......»»
Agrivoltaics for sustainable food, energy and water management in East Africa
Combining solar power production with agriculture can significantly boost crop yields, conserve water and generate low-carbon electricity for areas particularly vulnerable to climate change, a new study has shown......»»
AI-powered model enhances rice lodging detection for improved agricultural outcomes
By leveraging advanced convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture and intelligent optimization algorithms, an AI-powered model significantly surpasses conventional techniques, offering enhanced accuracy and reduced computational costs......»»
43 monkeys remain on the run from South Carolina lab. CEO thinks they"re having an adventure
Forty-three monkeys bred for medical research that escaped a compound in South Carolina have been spotted in the woods near the site and workers are using food to try to recapture them, authorities said Friday......»»
Improving pulse flours for consumer use: Using synchrotron light to determine optimal particle size for milling
Chickpeas, lentils, beans and peas are a fast-growing food market, with new uses going well beyond bean salads and hummus—think brownies, vegan meats, and salad dressing. Researchers like Chitra Sivakumar are working to drive dining innovation by s.....»»
After decades, FDA finally moves to pull ineffective decongestant off shelves
Last year, FDA advisors unanimously voted that oral phenylephrine is ineffective. In a long-sought move, the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday formally began the process of.....»»
Making "stressed" potatoes more climate-resilient
Heat, dry spells and flooding—the whole of nature is under stress, and potatoes are no exception. As a food staple, there is particular interest in getting potatoes fit for the new climate reality. As part of the EU's four-year ADAPT project, an in.....»»
Lab-cultured plant yogurt rivals dairy creaminess
Food engineers have harnessed the power of lupins (legumes) to create a yogurt that rivals dairy in taste and texture while delivering more nutrition than typical plant-based yogurts......»»
Food security in Africa: Managing water will be vital in a rapidly growing region
Sub-Saharan Africa's population is growing at 2.7% per year and is expected to reach two billion by the year 2050. The region's urban population is growing even faster: it was at 533 million in 2023, a 3.85% increase from 2022......»»
Spraying rice with zinc oxide nanoparticles protects yields during heat waves, study finds
A small team of horticulturists in China and the U.S. has found that spraying rice plants with a zinc oxide nanoparticle solution helps them better handle the stress of a heat wave. In their study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of.....»»
Drugmaker shut down after black schmutz found in injectable weight-loss drug
The warning comes amid a legal war over compounded weight-loss drugs. The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use any drugs made by a compounding pharmacy in.....»»
Svalbard Global Seed Vault evokes epic imagery and controversy because of the symbolic value of seeds
Two-thirds of the world's food comes today from just nine plants: sugar cane, maize (corn), rice, wheat, potatoes, soybeans, oil-palm fruit, sugar beet and cassava. In the past, farmers grew tens of thousands of crop varieties around the world. This.....»»