food security Archives

Investigating the biopesticide activity of guayule resin

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A team of researchers focus on the development of guayale, a perennial shrub with silvery leaves, and its industrial exploitation in the realms of natural rubber and resins, which may have a dual use as a biopesticide thanks to the compounds guayulins and argentatins.

A team of researchers, led by Dr Manuel Carmona in the Institute for Regional Development at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, have unveiled recent discoveries about a unique plant called guayule. The silver-grey perennial shrub is an alternative source of natural rubber. Until now, guayule has not been commercially viable as its other co-products have not been considered to […]

Food security in an insecure world: Modelling self-sufficiency

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When global food prices spiked in 2008, many governments embarked on programmes to improve their country’s food self-sufficiency – but have they been successful? At Setsunan University, Japan, Dr Tetsuji Tanaka and Dr Jin Guo are quantitatively assessing the effectiveness of a number of self-sufficiency policies. They have studied regional and global volatility in beef and wheat prices, and used […]

Reconciling forest and tree conservation with food security

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Forests and trees are a critical resource for human communities. However, conservation efforts to prevent biodiversity loss increasingly conflict with the rights and access of communities using forests for their livelihoods and crucially to meet their nutritional needs. Prof Terry Sunderland of the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, has long pointed to the importance of forests in contributing to food […]

Changing climate: A ‘threat multiplier’ for foodborne and waterborne infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance

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Aliyar Fouladkhah examines the risks of foodborne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes.

Dr Aliyar Cyrus Fouladkhah of Tennessee State University is an Assistant Professor in Public Health Microbiology. His laboratory explores preventive measures for the spread of infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, and food security in the landscape of changing climate. His research aims to provide better understanding of the ecology, epidemiology and effectiveness of control measures of enteric and environmental pathogens at […]

Facing climate risk management together in Colombia

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With climate change altering the short-term weather and causing long-term climatic fluctuations, farming communities are becoming increasingly susceptible to climatic risk. However, with the help of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), a participatory approach is being taken to climate risk management. As a result of south-south collaboration, Local Technical Agro-climatic Committees (LTACs) have […]