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Urban agriculture has myriad benefits for those who participate in it, but it's not guaranteed to be more climate-friendly than conventional agriculture. That said, there are some very specific steps urban farmers can take to slash carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To feed a rapidly growing human population in an era of climate change and increasingly uncertain weather—such as drought and flood—humanity will need crops with increased yields, greater resiliency to extreme weather, and more resistance to disease. Appropriately enough in the Century of Biology, that means turning to genetic tools such as CRISPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutrition support for racially and ethnically diverse populations. In 2021, the monthly cash value benefit (CVB) for the purchase of fruits and vegetables increased from $9 to $35 and was later adjusted to $24. This study investigated, by racial and ethnic groups, whether CVB increases were associated with increases in CVB redemption, household food security, child fruit and vegetable intake, satisfaction with CVB amount, and likelihood of continued participation in WIC if the CVB returned to $9 per month. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study of WIC participants (N = 1,770) in southern California at 3 time points, from April 2021 through May 2022; the CVB amount was $9 at baseline, $35 at Survey 2, and $24 at Survey 3. Racial and ethnic groups were Hispanic English-speakers, Hispanic Spanish-speakers, non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Other, and non-Hispanic White. We used mixed-effect and modified Poisson regressions to evaluate outcomes by group. RESULTS: At baseline, groups differed significantly in dollars of CVB redeemed, percentage of CVB redeemed, household food security, and satisfaction with CVB amount. After the increase in CVB, we found increases in all groups in CVB redemption, household food security, and satisfaction. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic English-speaking groups, who had low levels of satisfaction at baseline, had larger increases in satisfaction than other groups. Reported likelihood of continued WIC participation if the monthly CVB returned to $9 also differed significantly by group, ranging from 62.5% to 90.0%. CONCLUSION: The increase in CVB for children receiving WIC benefited all racial and ethnic groups. Continued investment in an augmented CVB could improve health outcomes for a racially and ethnically diverse WIC population.

UNLABELLED: In May of 2022, millions of U.S. parents encountered uncertainty in safely feeding their infants due to the infant formula shortage. METHODS: An anonymous, electronic, cross-sectional, retrospective survey was used. RESULTS: U.S. parents (n = 178) whose infants were ~10 weeks old during the shortage completed the survey. Of parents, 81% switched formulas during the shortage, 87% switched because they could not find the formula they typically used, 34% switched 3-5 times, 29% of parents visited ≥4 stores/24 h and 26% of parents traveled >20 miles/24 h to purchase formula. Use of infant formula increased (p < 0.01); in infants requiring specialty formula, use of intact cows milk formula increased (p < 0.05) and use of premature infant formulas decreased (p < 0.05). Infants relying on specialty formulas experienced at least one undesirable outcome compared with non-specialty users. Parents used social media, relatives/friends and healthcare providers for support during the shortage, but their helpfulness scores were suboptimal. Parents reported the need for greater infant formula availability, free prenatal lactation education and postpartum lactation support. CONCLUSIONS: Government, regulatory and healthcare policy oversight are needed to protect the infant feeding system, including more commercially available products, access to banked donor milk and lactation support.

Introduction: Africa faces immense food and health insecurity challenges, a problem partly attributed to food loss and waste during postharvest handling and distribution. In the context of research to meet the sustainable development goals, this project specifically addressed the postharvest loss of the ripe indigenous eggplant (Solanum anguivi lam) fruit called Igba Yinrin by Yoruba in South-West Nigeria, which is usually discarded in farms. The study was carried out on ripe and unripe fruits to better understand their value by comparing their effects in diabetes treatment. Methods: The study sought to assess the effects of a diet including ripe or unripe mature eggplant fruits in the sucrose-induced diabetic-like fruit fly. Bioactive compounds were identified and quantified with HPLC-UV, while the antioxidant vitamin (A, C, E), carotenoid, and mineral (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, P, and Zn) content was analyzed in the fruits. Extracts were used to investigate their in vitro anti-inflammatory properties on cyclooxygenases (COX 1 and 2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and anti-diabetes enzymes [α-amylase and α-glucosidase], while extract-supplemented diets (0.25-1% concentration) were fed to the fruit flies for 14 days. Results: Interestingly, the results showed that the ripe fruits had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher total phenol and flavonoid content, as well as a higher content of vitamins, carotenoids, and minerals, than the unripe fruits. The in vivo activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione transferase (GST)] and the total thiol level increased, while the blood glucose, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly). An in silico docking analysis showed strong binding affinity of the above-mentioned enzymes under investigation with the ligands hesperidin, naringin, and myricetin, which are bioactive compounds contained in the examined extracts. Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the biological effects of the ripe and unripe fruit extracts on inflammatory and anti-diabetes enzyme activities, which means that the ripe fruit, usually discarded, could serve as a sustainable alternative source of food nutrients.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity and metabolic diseases both disproportionately affect Hispanic children. Cross-sectional studies have linked food insecurity with adverse cardiometabolic markers, including elevated plasma triglycerides and glucose concentrations. However, the association between changes in food insecurity and changes in cardiometabolic markers in children remains to be explored. Furthermore, few studies have assessed the impact of school-based nutrition interventions on household food insecurity. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study are to assess the effect of the TX Sprouts intervention on household food insecurity and to examine the association between changes in household food insecurity and changes in cardiometabolic markers over 1 academic year. METHODS: This secondary analysis used data from TX Sprouts, a cluster-randomized school-based gardening, cooking, and nutrition trial. The study enrolled 3rd-5th-grade students from 16 schools that served primarily (>50%) Hispanic families with low income in Austin, TX. Participants (n = 619) provided household food insecurity data and fasting lipid panels at both baseline and postintervention, ∼9 mo following. RESULTS: There was no intervention effect on household food insecurity. Independent of the intervention, a 1-point increase in food insecurity, indicative of becoming more food insecure, was associated with a 2.61 mg/dL increase in triglycerides (P = 0.001; 95% CI: 1.04, 4.19) at follow-up. Children who were food insecure at baseline and became food secure at follow-up had a mean 5.05 mg/dL decrease in triglycerides compared with a 7.50 mg/dL increase in triglycerides in children who remained food insecure throughout (95% CI: -23.40, -1.71, P = 0.023). There were no other associations between changes in food insecurity and cardiometabolic markers. CONCLUSION: Although the intervention did not improve food insecurity, reductions in food insecurity over 9 mo were associated with improved cardiometabolic markers in high-risk children, emphasizing the need for interventions targeting food insecurity. The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT02668744 (https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT02668744).

It is estimated that billions of people around the world are affected by micronutrient deficiencies. Madagascar is considered to be particularly nutritionally vulnerable, with nearly half of the population stunted, and parts of the country facing emergency, near famine-like conditions (IPC4). Although Madagascar is generally considered among the most undernourished of countries, empirical data in the form of biological samples to validate these claims are extremely limited. Our research drew data from three studies conducted between 2013-2020 and provided comprehensive biomarker profile information for 4,710 individuals from 30 communities in five different ecological regions during at least one time-point. Estimated prevalences of nutrient deficiencies and inflammation across various regions of rural Madagascar were of concern for both sexes and across all ages, with 66.5% of the population estimated to be deficient in zinc, 15.6% depleted in vitamin B12 (3.6% deficient), 11.6% deficient in retinol, and lower levels of iron deficiency (as indicated by 11.7% deficient in ferritin and 2.3% deficient assessed by soluble transferrin receptors). Beyond nutrient status biomarkers, nearly one quarter of the population (24.0%) exhibited chronic inflammation based on high values of α-1-acid glycoprotein, and 12.3% exhibited acute inflammation based on high values of C-reactive protein. There is an 8-fold difference between the lowest and highest regional observed prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency, a 10-fold difference in vitamin A deficiency (based on retinol), and a 2-fold difference in acute inflammation (CRP) and deficiencies of zinc and iron (based on ferritin), highlighting strong geographical variations in micronutrient deficiencies across Madagascar.

Humans increasingly dominate Earth's natural freshwater ecosystems, but biomass production of modified ecosystems is rarely studied. We estimate potential fish total standing stock in USA reservoirs is 3.4 billion (B) kg, and approximate annual secondary production is 4.5 B kg y-1. We also observe varied and non-linear trends in reservoir fish biomass over time, thus previous assertions that reservoir fisheries decline over time are not universal. Reservoirs are globally relevant pools of freshwater fisheries, in part due to their immense limnetic footprint and spatial extent. This study further shows that reservoir ecosystems play major roles in food security and fisheries conservation. We encourage additional effort be expended to effectively manage reservoir environments for the good of humanity, biodiversity, and fish conservation.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change is a global phenomenon with far-reaching consequences, and its impact on human health is a growing concern. The intricate interplay of various factors makes it challenging to accurately predict and understand the implications of climate change on human well-being. Conventional methodologies have limitations in comprehensively addressing the complexity and nonlinearity inherent in the relationships between climate change and health outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this paper is to develop a robust theoretical framework that can effectively analyze and interpret the intricate web of variables influencing the human health impacts of climate change. By doing so, we aim to overcome the limitations of conventional approaches and provide a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships involved. Furthermore, we seek to explore practical applications of this theoretical framework to enhance our ability to predict, mitigate, and adapt to the diverse health challenges posed by a changing climate. METHODS: Addressing the challenges outlined in the objectives, this study introduces the Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) framework, acknowledging its significance in capturing the nuanced dynamics of health effects linked to climate change. The research utilizes a blend of field observations, expert interviews, key informant interviews, and an extensive literature review to shape the development of the CAS framework. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The proposed CAS framework categorizes findings into six key sub-systems: ecological services, extreme weather, infectious diseases, food security, disaster risk management, and clinical public health. The study employs agent-based modeling, using causal loop diagrams (CLDs) tailored for each CAS sub-system. A set of identified variables is incorporated into predictive modeling to enhance the understanding of health outcomes within the CAS framework. Through a combination of theoretical development and practical application, this paper aspires to contribute valuable insights to the interdisciplinary field of climate change and health. Integrating agent-based modeling and CLDs enhances the predictive capabilities required for effective health outcome analysis in the context of climate change. CONCLUSION: This paper serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and public health professionals by employing a CAS framework to understand and assess the complex network of health impacts associated with climate change. It offers insights into effective strategies for safeguarding human health amidst current and future climate challenges.

The relationship between food insecurity and transactional sex is well recognized, but less is known about this relationship among adolescents. We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data from 3,130 female secondary students aged 12-19 enrolled in a three-arm, cluster randomized controlled trial to examine the association between food insecurity and transactional sex. The explanatory variable was food security and the outcome was ever engaging in transactional sex. Over one quarter (28.7%) reported any food insecurity and 1.9% of all participants (9.6% of sexually active participants) reported ever engaging in transactional sex. In adjusted models, ever experiencing any food insecurity was associated with a higher prevalence of ever transactional sex (PR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.49) compared to little to no food insecurity. These results provide insight into potential predictors of higher-risk sexual behavior in Rwanda; they also provide policy-makers with populations with whom to intervene on upstream determinants of transactional sex, notably poverty and food insecurity.

The article covers the issue of ensuring food security of the state, through the prism of guaranteeing labor rights of agricultural employees. Proper protection of the labor rights of agricultural employees will help to increase the level of their social protection and contribute to the stable development of the agricultural sector of Ukraine. The basic concepts that would combine various aspects of the legal status of agricultural employees into a single concept are analyzed in detail. We have analyzed the following criteria for classification of employees of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine: by functional responsibilities, by qualification level, which confirms the ability to perform tasks and responsibilities of the relevant work, by the form of employment, by the organizational and legal form of the economy, by specialization, by age and gender characteristics. It is established that agricultural employees in Ukraine are not a homogeneous group, and their legal status may vary depending on socio-economic conditions. The main professions in agriculture are investigated, it is proved that skilled agricultural employees have professions that provide knowledge necessary for agricultural production, and their professional tasks are to grow crops. The concept that the basic rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine are distributed equally to agricultural employees, regardless of the organizational and legal forms of enterprises in which they work is analyzed. The criteria for determining enterprises, institutions and organizations that are important for the national economy in the field of agriculture in a special period are investigated. It has been found that the criteria for determining agricultural enterprises for booking their employees from mobilization in Ukraine may include various aspects that ensure the continuous activity of the agricultural sector, especially in conditions of martial law. It has been concluded that the reservation of employees of agricultural enterprises from mobilization should be based on an integrated approach that takes into account both economic and social, strategic and defensive aspects. This will help ensure the smooth functioning of critical agricultural processes, which is key to maintaining Ukraine's food security and economic stability in war conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, famine and food insecurity have increased, yet there have been few articles with a critical analysis of their social and political dynamics. This special issue of Disasters aims to revive such analysis and to provide new insights. The special issue contains eight articles, with topics ranging from the role of global politics and neoliberal strategies, to sanctions, war, settler‐colonialism, elite capture and inequalities, actions of resistance and resilience, and the challenges of famine prevention in today's global political context. The papers provide both global and local analysis, with the latter covering Kashmir, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is Medicine (FIM) programs to improve the accessibility of fruits and vegetables (FVs) or other healthy foods among patients with low income and diet-related chronic diseases are promising to improve food and nutrition security in the United States (US). However, FIM programs are relatively new and implementation guidance for healthcare settings using an implementation science lens is lacking. We used a narrative review to describe the evidence base on barriers and facilitators to FIM program integration in US healthcare settings following the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) Framework. Evidence surrounding the EPIS Inner Context was a focus, including constructs Leadership, Organizational Characteristics, Quality and Fidelity Monitoring and Support, Organizational Staffing Processes, and Individual Characteristics. Peer-reviewed and grey literature about barriers and facilitators to FIM programs were of interest, defined as programs that screen and refer eligible patients with diet-related chronic disease experiencing food insecurity to healthy, unprepared foods. Thirty-one sources were included in the narrative review, including 22 peer-reviewed articles, four reports, four toolkits, and one thesis. Twenty-eight sources (90%) described EPIS Inner Context facilitators and 26 sources (84%) described FIM program barriers. The most common barriers and facilitators to FIM programs were regarding Quality and Fidelity Monitoring and Support (e.g., use of electronic medical records for tracking and evaluation, strategies to support implementation) and Organizational Staffing Processes (e.g., clear delineation of staff roles and capacity); although, barriers and facilitators to FIM programs were identified among all EPIS Inner Context constructs. We synthesized barriers and facilitators to create an EPIS-informed implementation checklist for healthcare settings for use among healthcare organizations/providers, partner organizations, and technical assistance personnel. We discuss future directions to align FIM efforts with implementation science terminology and theories, models, and frameworks to improve the implementation evidence base and support FIM researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of intraregional conflict on food security and subsistence practices in the Central Illinois River Valley (CIRV) during the Mississippian period, particularly between AD 1200 and 1400, a time characterized by escalations in intergroup violence. Utilizing integrated faunal and botanical datasets from two critical archaeological sites – the Lamb site, representing the preconflict phase, and the C. W. Cooper site, indicative of the conflict onset phase – this research elucidates how prolonged warfare necessitated substantial adaptations in subsistence strategies among CIRV Mississippian communities. While much previous research has centered on elite aspects of Mississippian warfare, this study shifts the focus to the broader societal impacts on the daily lives of residents of the CIRV. Findings demonstrate significant shifts in foraging behaviors and resource utilization patterns, reflecting strategic responses to the challenges and hazards posed by persistent warfare. By highlighting the adaptability of these communities in the face of warfare and environmental stressors, this research contributes valuable perspectives to the anthropological understanding of the interrelations between warfare and food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last two decades, smallholder farmers in north-western Ethiopia have expanded eucalyptus fields into large areas of croplands until they recently started to reverse that trend. This study assessed the extent, drivers, and impacts of cropland to eucalyptus plantation changes during the 2000–2023 period and the recent land use reversal eucalyptus to cropland. It also analyzed the effect of the shift on land productivity and food security by comparing maize yields obtained from eucalyptus-cleared fields with those from permanent croplands. The assessment was conducted in the north-western highlands of Ethiopia and employed remote sensing techniques, yield difference comparisons, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Landsat-and Sentinel 2A-based multi-temporal image analyses were used to identify and map the coverage of eucalyptus plantation since 2000. Maize yield per plot was collected from 125 systematically selected paired 2mX2m plots, and yield differences were compared. One of the paired plots represented eucalyptus-cereal field changes, while the second represented cropland-maize plots. The multi-temporal image analysis result showed that eucalyptus plantation coverage was increased from 1000 ha in 2000 to 249,260 ha in 2023. Approximately 98% of that expansion was made onto crop fields. Latter, a large portion of that area was reconverted to cropland, mainly maize field due to substantial falls of market demand for eucalyptus logs. The oscillating land use changes imply that smallholders' land use decisions are informed by intrinsic and extrinsic economic considerations, not by scientific-evidence-based landscape suitability and ecological analyses. Moreover, to check the effects of eucalyptus on subsequent productivity of croplands, we compared maize yield differences between cropland-maize and eucalyptus-maize field plots. The yield comparison result showed 35% average yield increment from eucalyptus-maize plots than yields from cropland-maize plots. This finding tends to defy the widely held perception that 'growing eucalyptus tree plants on farmlands negatively affects the subsequent productivity of those plots'. However, this finding was based on a 1-year cross-sectional data. Further cross-sectional studies are important to arrive at conclusive results on the impacts of eucalyptus trees on productivity of those plots when converted to croplands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The economic crisis in Sri Lanka worsened food insecurity, with millions facing moderate-to-severe food shortages. This study evaluates the effectiveness of cash transfers combined with mobile health education in enhancing dietary diversity and food security among Sri Lankan households during the crisis. Methods: This quasi-experimental single-group pre-post study involved 1040 eligible individuals selected through stratified random sampling from eligible households of Samurdhi beneficiaries and smallholder farmers. The intervention included a cash transfer of LKR 22,500 and weekly nutrition awareness messages via WhatsApp and SMS complemented by a one-time awareness session. Dietary diversity and food security were assessed using standard validated tools such as the Diet Quality Questionnaire and Food Security Questionnaire. Results: Food insecurity decreased significantly from 89.3% (n = 681) in the pre-test to 76.9% (n = 533) in the post-test, with a 12.4% reduction (95% CI, 8.57 to 16.24, p < 0.05). The Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women improved from 44.5 to 67.8% [23.3% increase (95% CI, 15.89 to 30.63; p < 0.05)]. The mean NCD-Protect and GDR scores increased significantly, indicating a higher adherence to global dietary recommendations, whereas the NCD-risk scores remained unchanged. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that cash transfers combined with mobile phone-based nutritional education significantly improved dietary diversity and food security among low-income families in Sri Lanka during the financial crisis. Clinical trial number: Not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is crucial for global food security and a staple crop in Ethiopia, yet farmer yields remain low, averaging 2.7 t ha⁻1 compared to over 5 t ha⁻1 at research stations. This study investigates the impact of socio-economic factors, local agronomic practices, and site-specific fertilizer management on wheat production in Goba, Lemu, Siyadebr, and Basona districts of Ethiopia. A survey of 228 households analyzed the influence of these factors on wheat productivity and fertilizer use, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression models. Results indicated that crop residue retention, improved wheat varieties, and organic fertilizers significantly increased yields, while row fertilizer application at planting had a negative effect. Fertilizer application rates varied significantly among farmers and were influenced by practices like top-dressing, monocropping, and participation in agricultural training. District-level differences in yield and fertilizer response highlighted the need for site-specific management. Multiple regression analysis revealed that key predictors of fertilizer use included cultivated land area, household income, education, small ruminant ownership, and extension contact, with larger land ownership, higher income, organic fertilizer use, and extension access being the most significant. Average yield increases due to site-specific fertilizer applications varied across districts. Overall, significant yield gains were achieved through site-specific fertilizer application across the four districts, with an average yield of 5.3 Mg ha⁻1, compared to approximately 4 Mg ha⁻1 using the local farmers' fertilizer application rates. This study underscores the importance of considering local agroecological conditions in fertilizer management to boost wheat productivity and support food security and economic development in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This longitudinal case study describes the efforts and impacts of community-controlled service organisations on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in Central Australia to tackle food security since the 1980s, with a focus on the last decade, particularly during a year of concerted action from mid-2018. Methods: The co-designed study comprised an interrupted time series with controls. Availability, affordability, accessibility and sales of foods in the community retail stores on the APY Lands were monitored regularly from 2014 to mid-2022, including by local research teams. Store nutrition policy was updated early 2018. For a year from mid-2018, of the eight communities with stores: (i) two were the focus for concerted intervention, including support from a locally based project officer to help implement the policy and action 105 community requests for nutrition activities (ii) three received usual support to implement the policy; and (iii) three were subject to 'business as usual'. From mid-2019, all communities/stores received usual service, from 2020 with some restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results were compared over time, across different community/store groups and with controls. Results: In the 12 months from mid-2018, all food security metrics improved most in the two focus communities. Impacts were less marked in the communities without additional support to implement the revised nutrition policy, and even less apparent, although more varied, in the other three communities/stores. Dietary intake improved only in the two focus communities. In all communities from early 2020 most gains eroded due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other external stressors. Food security metrics, including price of healthy food, appeared more resilient in the focus communities, although diet quality worsened. At all times assessed, healthy diets were unaffordable for welfare-dependant households. Conclusions: This co-designed study demonstrates the effectiveness of community-led approaches, confirming that it is possible to improve food security and diet in remote Aboriginal communities. However, sustained action and monitoring, dedicated resources and employment of local people are critical for success. Results also highlight that low incomes are a major barrier to food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity disproportionately affects smallholder farming households and within them women, who bear primary caregiving responsibilities and contend with time and resource constraints that heighten their vulnerability to adverse nutrition‐related health outcomes. This study cross‐sectionally investigates the association between food production practices, household consumer behaviour, and the experience of food insecurity with women's waist‐hip ratio (WHR), a key indicator of abdominal obesity, in a coastal community in Kenya. In total, 394 households were randomly selected from a list of farming households in Kaloleni and Rabai sub‐counties of Kilifi. Trained enumerators administered questionnaires to adult female family members who play a pivotal role in household management. Household dietary diversity scores (HDDS) were computed from 16 food groups consumed in the 7 days preceding the survey. Waist‐hip measurements focused on these females, representing vulnerable populations. Pathway‐based regression models were constructed using STATA version 13 (p < 0.05). Most households practised mixed farming (59.9%) and monocropping (73.2%) and most female respondents were widowed (75.1%) with limited education (73.1% had no formal education) and over 20 years of farming experience. Food insecurity was prevalent, affecting 80.7% of households. Limited dietary diversity was noted with an average HDDS of 9. The most commonly consumed foods were cereals, spices, condiments and beverages, while meat, eggs and fruits were infrequently eaten. An inverse association was observed between HDDS and WHR (standardised regression coefficient = −0.1328; p = 0.026) but while food insecurity was inversely associated with both HDD and WHR, these associations did not reach statistical significance (HDDS‐standardised regression coefficient −0.0294; p = 0.592: WHR‐standardised regression coefficient −0.0155; p = 0.791). Existing research has primarily addressed the undernutrition and hunger‐related impacts of food insecurity. The findings underscore the need to better understand the complex interplay between food insecurity and nutritional health, including markers of adiposity, to effectively promote health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) systems are critical for global food security but contribute significantly to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to high methane (CH4) emissions from anaerobic soils. Drill‐seeding (DS) rice, which in California includes early‐season irrigation flushes to establish the rice, has been shown to reduce CH4 emissions compared to water‐seeded (WS) systems. The effect of these early‐season flushes on nitrogen (N) fertilizer losses and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, however, is not well understood. In a 2‐year study, we quantitatively compared DS to WS systems with respect to their global warming potential (GWP) (CH4 + N2O in CO2 eq.), nitrate (NO3−) accumulation during flushes, and crop N‐uptake. Despite 0.68 kg ha−1 more N2O–N emissions in the DS system, GWP was 3700 CO2 eq. kg ha−1, a 42% reduction compared to 6340 CO2 eq. kg ha−1 in the WS system. This was due to a 46% reduction in CH4 in the DS (94.5 CH4–C kg ha−1) relative to the WS (175.7 CH4–C kg ha−1) system. Nitrate accumulation in the DS system amounted to 26.2 kg NO3–N ha−1, and subsequent N losses via denitrification likely contributed to the 22.4 kg N ha−1 less crop N‐uptake in the DS system. These results suggest that DS rice has potential for improved environmental impact via GWP reductions but will require increased N inputs. Future efforts should focus on reducing N losses, which have a negative economic impact for the farmer and contribute to N2O emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Background Method Results Conclusion Guided by the life‐course principles of linked lives embedded in historical time and place, we investigated whether nonresident adult children provided financial and time assistance to parents in response to their needs during the COVID‐19 pandemic.Adult children are an important source of support for older adults during crises, yet their ability to help parents may have been constrained during the pandemic.Data were extracted from the 2016, 2018, and 2020 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. We employed three analytic strategies. First, we examined how nonresident adult children responded to parental needs during the pandemic. Second, we compared the financial and time assistance received during the pandemic with earlier periods. Third, we assessed whether support patterns varied depending on the severity of the pandemic in places where parents lived. All analyses used linear probability models, adjusting for pre‐pandemic characteristics.Parents facing economic hardship more often received money help and those experiencing difficulty buying food for nonfinancial reasons more often received time help from adult children compared to those without such challenges. Moreover, both financial and time assistance from adult children increased during the pandemic compared to pre‐pandemic levels. Hardships increased the probability of receiving money and time help from adult children when parents lived in areas with a high level of pandemic severity.Adult children became more responsive to parental needs during the COVID‐19 pandemic, underscoring the importance of linked lives across generations during times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's steadily growing population and global heating due to climate change are a threat to food security. To meet this challenge, novel technologies are needed to increase crop production in a sustainable way. In this work, the use of luminescent down‐shifting (LDS) materials based on molecular Eu3+‐containing polyoxotitanates for plant growth enhancement is investigated. Using a systematic design strategy to optimize down‐shifting properties, conversion of the ultraviolet spectral range to the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is achieved with quantum yields as high as 68%. The prototype Eu3+‐compound can be incorporated into water‐based acrylic varnish that can be spray‐coated onto existing greenhouses. Comparing coated with uncoated greenhouses, basil plants produce 9% more leaf dry weight per plant, and a highly significant 10% increase in individual leaf dry weight. The coating reduces the amount of transmitted PAR by 8% but has advantageous effects on diffuse radiation and in reducing the internal mean temperature. Although there is some uncertainty as to the contribution of down‐shifting, with the bulk of the increase probably being due to higher diffused light and the reduction in maximum daily temperatures, this study establishes a model for the design of LDS paints for real‐world agricultural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity in South Africa was critical prior to the COVID‐19 outbreak, but the problem deepened quickly during the pandemic when government controls caused job losses, a food supply collapse, and escalating hunger. The food and fuel price hikes and political instability that followed led to the July 2021 ‘unrest’, which left more than 350 people dead. Behind this lay a crisis within the governing African National Congress. In this paper, we draw on in‐depth interviews and ethnography with individuals working in food‐based livelihoods to investigate how people continued to secure food, and how rural food systems were affected. Against a backdrop of hunger, social unrest, and xenophobic hostility, we consider how people perceive the state in a rural area of KwaZulu‐Natal. We argue that weak governing institutions and South Africa's exposure to globally‐triggered spikes in food and fuel prices are leading to food insecurity. Hunger, in turn, is contributing to a crisis of legitimation for the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simplified question on the genetic change of a conserved plant germplasm accession over time is raised for a better understanding of the challenging mission of conserving more than 7.4 million germplasm accessions in 2000 genebanks worldwide for generations to come. Its answer will influence how these genebanks operate to ensure the continued survival and availability of the conserved plant genetic resources for future food security. Here, we explore the expected impact of evolutionary forces on plant germplasm in genebanks, search for the theoretical expectations and empirical evidence for such impacts from the literature, and discuss the ramifications of the evidence for long-term plant germplasm management and conservation. It is expected that genetic changes of long-term conserved germplasm under genebank conditions will occur commonly as an evolutionary rule, not as an exception. Incorporating evolutionary biology into the Genebank Standards and operational procedures will benefit the mission of long-term germplasm conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the legal problems and prospects of ensuring the irrigation of agricultural land in conditions of a lack of traditional water resources. Modern hydromelioration reform in the form in which it is currently implemented is not a panacea. It mostly solves property and administrativefunctional issues, but leaves a call for attention to environmental and natural resource problems. In view of the tendency to decrease the quantity and quality of water in the country, the question arises about the prospects of irrigation under such conditions. In recent decades, there has been a constant search for innovative solutions of not only technological, but also legal nature in the world for solving the complex problems of distributing limited resources and providing agriculture with vital moisture for maintaining food security. The objective problem of the lack of water suitable for irrigation against the background of the rapid growth of such needs is getting worse every year and in the long run can endanger the food security of the country. World experience demonstrates the approbation of various approaches to solving the problem of sufficient irrigation. According to the main way of achieving the goal, these approaches are presented by us in the form of three groups: 1) use of alternative sources of water resources (use of underground water, treated wastewater, desalinated salt water); 2) application of alternative irrigation technologies (modernization of irrigation systems; use of micro-irrigation); 3) use of alternative crops (voluntary and mandatory transition). Having analyzed the foreign and domestic experience of the legal regulation of selected methods of solving the problem of water shortage for irrigation, it is possible to trace some general trends: a) self-removal of the state from the implementation of large-scale irrigation projects, the need for which is generated by global environmental challenges; b) slow ecological transformation of legislation regulating agricultural irrigation; c) the predominance of separate legal norms and separate legal mechanisms aimed at regulating alternative irrigation, and the lack of comprehensive regulatory and legal support for the reconstruction of the irrigation system taking into account objective environmental problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address national and global demand for agro-based products, agricultural expansion has rapidly become a norm in Brazil since 1950s to date. In recent decades, agricultural expansion and technological advancement have placed the country among the top producers and exporters of agricultural products. The paradigm shifts in farming system from conventional to integrated approach has brought significant changes in land use, which consequently influenced carbon sequestration and soil organic carbon (SOC). This is more prevalent in the State of Mato Grosso, one of the most producers of food in Brazil. On this background, we hypothesized that though forests have potential for SOC stock, which decreases due to conversion to cropland but in longer-term with sustainable management, carbon might accrual significantly in cropland. Therefore, this paper aimed to unveil the nexus between long term land use and carbon stock changes and estimate future SOC stocks in Mato Grosso State of Brazil. To achieve this aim, a hybridization of machine learning and the InVEST prediction models was applied to estimate the land use changes and the SOC stocks between 1990 and 2020 and estimate for 2050. The study revealed that between 1990, 2020, and 2050, croplands increased significantly by at least 78%, pastures decreased by 32%, while forests decreased marginally by about 4% due to agricultural expansions. However, in 1990 and 2020, the SOC stock was slightly up to 147.34 Mg ha−1, it recorded an increase after a longer-time (i.e., in 2050). This increase was substantially under the forests, and marginally in the croplands. Climate-smart agricultural systems such as crop-livestock forest, integrated crop-livestock, and other conservation agricultural practices have great potential to contribute to sustainable development by increasing the levels of carbon in agricultural soils especially, after a longer period. Therefore, agricultural policies geared towards low carbon agriculture should be fully integrated into the various government decision making processes as this will guarantee food security and maximize soil carbon sequestration and stocks in the long term. Simultaneously, it is crucial to promote the dissemination of best practices for implementing and sustaining conservation efforts, thereby safeguarding the carbon stocks established to prevent their depletion. This will also support the Brazilian government in achieving its Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) through agricultural soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Prunus armeniaca L. (bitter apricot) is an apricot fruit tree categorized on the basis of the bitter taste of its seed kernel. In this study, the functional, medicinal, and therapeutic potential of bitter apricot seed kernel oil (BASKO) was evaluated. The qualitative screening of BASKO was performed using standard methodologies. The chemical profile of the oil was analyzed with the help of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Results revealed the presence of different phytochemical constituents comprising steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides. The antioxidant activity of the oil was determined by a 2,2,diphenyl‐1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition essay. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 10.6 ± 1.32 mg GAE/g and 4.75 ± 0.11 mg QE/g, respectively. DPPH inhibition of 89.5% was achieved at 1000 μg/mL of BASKO, with IC50 = 90.44 μg/mL (83.47–96.67 μg/mL with 95% CI). The antimicrobial potential of the BASKO revealed the inhibition of Escherichia coli (20.3 ± 2.08 mm), Salmonella typhi (19.3 ± 2.51 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.6 ± 1.52 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17 ± 2 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus (25 ± 1.01 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was 250 μL/mL for K. pneumoniae, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus, whereas 62.5 μL/mL for E. coli. Moreover, BASKO showed antifungal potential against Trichophyton tonsurans (77.3 ± 2.08%), Epidermophyton floccosum (69.6 ± 3.51%), Aspergillus niger (74.3 ± 2.56%), Aspergillus flavus (90 ± 3%), and Mucor mucedo (78.3 ± 2.51%). Antileishmanial activity of oil was evaluated against Leishmania major by MTT assay, and an IC50 value of 89.75 μg/mL was observed. The study revealed that BASKO is a good source of biologically active compounds to be used as functional, therapeutical, and antimicrobial agents in food and pharmaceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assesses how access to climate services influences cropping decisions and, subsequently, household food security. Employing a cross-sectional research design, the study surveyed a total of 217 smallholder crop farmers selected through a multistage sampling approach. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, and both descriptive statistics and a propensity score matching (PSM) model were employed for data analysis. Household food security was assessed using households' dietary diversity. The study's findings highlight that 69% of the surveyed farmers had access to weather forecasts, while only 24% had access to seasonal forecasts. Consequently, farmers with access to climate services exhibited changes in their farming decisions, including daily farming activities, planting timing, crop selection, and land preparation. Notably, approximately 35% of the respondents were identified as food insecure. The application of the propensity score matching model revealed that access to climate services had a statistically significant positive impact on farmers' decision-making processes and household food security. These results underscore the potential of climate services to enhance farmers' decision-making capabilities and, subsequently, improve household food security. Considering these findings, it is recommended that efforts to expand access to climate services among smallholder farmers in South Africa should be intensified. This can be achieved by developing and disseminating more accessible and tailored climate information, including seasonal forecasts. In addition, initiatives should ensure that climate services are integrated into agricultural extension services and support systems to equip farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing severity of farmland abandonment in rural areas has sparked concerns about the lack of people willing to cultivate the land. This study attempts to find the endogenous factors of farmland land abandonment among Chinese farmers and to curb land degradation to stabilize food security. Based on the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (2016–2018), this paper explores the effect of famine experience on farmland abandonment using logit and DID models. We find that famine experience does increase the probability and extent of farmland abandonment, and undergo a series of robustness tests. We also find that the famine stigma effect increases the likelihood and extent of farmland abandonment by increasing risk aversion and reducing social trust and investment in agriculture. The growth of urbanization in China worsens the effects of famine, whereas local communal production services remove the effects of famine. The overall findings of this study provide useful insights for the government to protect land quality and food security and to carefully consider the role played by communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Poor Food security (FS) is associated with risk of diet-related diseases and rising healthcare costs. Produce Prescription Interventions (PRx) are emerging clinical tools to improve FS and diet quality, but their impact in families with children is not well established. This study evaluates the impact of a pediatric PRx on FS and nutrition-related behaviors. Methods: Adult caregivers of children (0-18) were enrolled within a 6-month produce delivery and nutrition education intervention. A validated food security survey was administered pre/post intervention to determine FS scores and "Food Secure" status. Statistical analyses tested pre-post differences in FS scores and proportion of scores within the "Food Secure" range. Semi-structured interviews were performed post-intervention to explore families' experiences with low FS and healthy behaviors and were thematically analyzed. Results: Between October 2021 and December 2022, 82 families were enrolled, 65 completed FS survey at baseline and 54 completed it at post-intervention. FS scores improved post-intervention (P <.05) and a greater proportion of household- and child-level scores fell within the "Food Secure" range post-intervention (P <.05). Twenty-eight interviews were analyzed. Three salient themes were identified: (1) value of healthcare-based screening and intervention, (2) food and education motivate behavior change, and (3) perceptions of post-intervention lifestyle sustainability. Conclusions: Participation in the PRx was associated with improvements in FS and nutrition-related attitudes and behaviors. PRx can be implemented by health systems to improve FS and health behaviors associated with risk for diet-related diseases. Longer-term support may be needed to maintain healthy behavior changes associated with PRx participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sub-Saharan Africa region continues to experience food insecurity, a consequence of the less productive agricultural sector that has dragged to adapt to the effects of climate change. As the region's population continues to grow, there is a need to modernize the region's agricultural sector to meet the increasing food demand. Although extreme atmospheric conditions cannot be entirely mitigated, however, the integration of technologies such as the Internet of things (IoT) and machine learning (ML) can increase the quantity and quality of production from the crop fields. These technologies have the potential to empower agricultural management systems to handle both climatic and farm data in an orchestrated manner, and inform the formulation of effective strategies. This study presents the design and development of a system for predicting crop yields that integrates IoT and ML. The system combines historic and current weather and crop yield data to predict seasonal crop yields. The weather parameters including, rainfall, temperature, humidity and soil moisture are collected by IoT sensors and transmitted to the cloud for crop yield forecasting. The system is used to analyze seasonal yields of Irish-Potato and Maize in Musanze District of Rwanda. Using data over different agricultural seasons, the system achieved favorable predictive accuracy with mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values of 0.339, 0.309, and 0.177 for two seasons of Irish potatoes and one season of maize, respectively. Such predictive yield systems can reduce food insecurity risks and enhance harvest efficiency by enabling early awareness of crop production, fostering effective strategies shared among decision-makers and stakeholders. While maize and Irish potatoes were the initial case studies, expansion to include other crops and more variables is envisioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: Food security is a multidimensional issue, crucially underpinned by cultural acceptability, which significantly affects emotional well‐being and social integration. This study was motivated by the persistent challenge faced by refugee and immigrant communities in accessing culturally appropriate food, a critical aspect often overlooked by food assistance programmes. This gap both hinders nutritional intake and impedes the emotional and social well‐being of these vulnerable populations. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the alignment between the cultural dietary preferences of refugee and immigrant communities in Syracuse, New York, and the offerings of local food aid programmes, specifically focusing on culturally appropriate fresh produce. It sought to understand the extent to which food assistance meets the cultural needs of these communities, thereby informing potential improvements in food security practices and policy. Approach and Methods: Using a mixed‐methods approach, the study collected quantitative and qualitative data. Surveys were conducted with 35 refugee and immigrant women to quantitatively assess the availability and suitability of culturally specific food items within local food bank programmes. In addition, qualitative insights were derived through focus group discussions with eight of these participants. This dual‐method approach allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of both perceived and actual gaps in service provision. Findings: The findings highlighted a significant gap between the fresh produce provided by the food assistance programmes and the cultural dietary needs of the participants. Although these programmes provide essential nutrition, they often neglect to accommodate the cultural preferences of diverse communities. This emphasizes the urgent need for food aid initiatives to integrate cultural preferences, enhancing the acceptability of food aid and supporting the psychological adjustment of refugees and immigrants to new environments. Policy Implications: This study underscored the need for policy‐makers and food assistance programmes to prioritize cultural appropriateness alongside nutritional adequacy. It recommended the adoption of more inclusive food distribution practices that recognize and respect the cultural diversity of beneficiaries. Such practices are crucial, not only for improving the nutritional and psychological outcomes of refugees and immigrants but also for fostering their integration and participation in the community. Establishing policies that encourage the inclusion of culturally diverse food options can significantly enhance the effectiveness of food security efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity has broad detrimental impacts on college students, including failing grades, depression, and social disconnection. Social disconnection is concerning as students often use various support resources to manage food insecurity. Racial disparities in food insecurity are well documented in the literature. The purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship between constructs of emotional support and food insecurity among African American and White students. A validated electronic survey based on the Sense of Support Scale and the U.S. Food Security Scale was utilized for the study. Results indicated that specific constructs of emotional social support were associated with food insecurity (OR: 3.778; p =.011); (OR: −2.116; p =.036). Students who reported strong emotional ties were more likely to experience food insecurity (OR = − 3.837, p =.044). Findings implicate further campus outreach to all students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students' nutrition, including dietary behaviors and food security status. Participants: Participants included 140 students between 18 and 25 years of age, who were enrolled in a college or university in the greater Houston area. Methods: Analyses included descriptive statistics, t tests, and ANOVAs to analyze differences in dietary behaviors by demographic variables, and chi-square tests to assess characteristics associated with food security status. Results: The majority of participants reported changing their diets due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no significant differences by demographics. However, there were significant differences in food security status by race/ethnicity and social class. Conclusion: This study identified changes and disparities in college students' dietary behaviors and food security status during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings help inform future policy, programs, and research to address college students' nutrition during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between religion and health tends to be framed positively. Religion has been found to act as a coping mechanism and source of support in times of ill health. In this paper, we focus on the disruptive effect of chronic illness on religious practice and cultural engagement. Drawing on interviews with ethnic minority adults with end‐stage kidney disease, who also identify as religious, we introduce the concept 'cultural disruption'. While religious practice and belief was found to provide strength and comfort we also found that chronic illness had a disruptive impact on religious and cultural practice that participants attempted to manage. To highlight the potential disruptive effect of chronic illness on religious faith and cultural engagement we identify three elements of cultural disruption—disruption to religious practice, disruption to sense of self and identity and disruption to wellbeing. We conclude by suggesting that understanding and accounting for the potential of cultural disruption when diagnosing, treating and supporting people with chronic illness offers an alternative entry point to the life‐worlds of patients who identify as religious and the things that are important to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial social work extends inclusion by providing clients access to financial products, services, and technology. We summarize evidence about how financial technology impacts economic inequality and discuss implications for social work practice, education, and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Bone nonunion remains a clinical challenge in orthopedic surgery with significant impacts on mental and physical wellbeing for patients. There are several previously established risk factors of nonunion that are connected to nutrition, but this has yet to be substantially explored. This review seeks to assess all studies that present associations between nutrition and nonunion to understand the potential for clinical relevance in nonunion prevention. Methods: Case–control and cohort studies comparing nonunion risk based on nutritional factors were gathered through PubMed in July 2024. Data were extracted with dual verification through Covidence and assessed for bias using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: A total of 21 studies were included in this literature review. Vitamin D deficiency was a significant risk factor of nonunion in six studies and not significant in six other studies. Albumin was significant in three of the five studies addressing this lab value. Iron deficiency anemia was significant in a study assessing its impact on nonunion. Calcium was not significant in the one study mentioned. ICD-10-coded malnutrition was significant in one of the two studies. Sarcopenia, nutritional care plans, and dietitian-diagnosed malnutrition were statistically significant clinical indicators for predicting nonunion, but food insecurity was insignificant. Conclusions: Vitamin D, calcium, albumin, iron deficiency anemia, sarcopenia, and clinically diagnosed malnutrition have all been associated with an increased risk of nonunion in observational studies and should be considered when preventing nonunion development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of consequences of climate change, notably salinity, put global food security at risk by impacting the development and production of lentils. Salinity-induced stress alters lentil genetics, resulting in severe developmental issues and eventual phenotypic damage. Lentils have evolved sophisticated signaling networks to combat salinity stress. Lentil genomics and transcriptomics have discovered key genes and pathways that play an important role in mitigating salinity stress. The development of saline-smart cultivars can be further revolutionized by implementing proteomics, metabolomics, miRNAomics, epigenomics, phenomics, ionomics, machine learning, and speed breeding approaches. All these cutting-edge approaches represent a viable path toward creating saline-tolerant lentil cultivars that can withstand climate change and meet the growing demand for high-quality food worldwide. The review emphasizes the gaps that must be filled for future food security in a changing climate while also highlighting the significant discoveries and insights made possible by omics and other state-of-the-art biotechnological techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of global population growth and climate change, the protection and rational utilization of cropland are crucial for food security and ecological balance. However, the complex topography and unique ecological environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau results in a lack of high-precision cropland monitoring data. Therefore, this paper constructs a high-quality cropland dataset for the YarlungZangbo-Lhasa-Nyangqv River region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and proposes an MSC-ResUNet model for cropland extraction based on Landsat data. The dataset is annotated at the pixel level, comprising 61 Landsat 8 images in 2023. The MSC-ResUNet model innovatively combines multiscale features through residual connections and multiscale skip connections, effectively capturing features ranging from low-level spatial details to high-level semantic information and further enhances performance by incorporating depthwise separable convolutions as part of the feature fusion process. Experimental results indicate that MSC-ResUNet achieves superior accuracy compared to other models, with F1 scores of 0.826 and 0.856, and MCC values of 0.816 and 0.847, in regional robustness and temporal transferability tests, respectively. Performance analysis across different months and band combinations demonstrates that the model maintains high recognition accuracy during both growing and non-growing seasons, despite the study area's complex landforms and diverse crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]