Mutant roots reveal how we can grow crops in damaged soils

Researchers have unearthed a 'biological switch' which could boost crop yield worldwide.

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agriculture botany crops roots food-environment plant-growth

The dazzling history of solar power

PODCAST: Once fringe and futuristic, this renewable energy shines brightly today as a cheap and efficient source of energy. Still, it remains controversial — for much different reasons.

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climate-change podcast technology food-environment

Solar panels capture more sunlight with capsaicin - the chemical that makes chili peppers spicy

Chemicals found in food and solar cell technology have an interesting history – as my own research shows.

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perovskite food solar-power materials-science solar-panels solar-energy capsaicin pepper spice

Anti-nutrients – they're part of a normal diet and not as scary as they sound

Anti-nutrients naturally occur in food and can block the amount of other nutrients available for your body to use. But their effects aren't all bad, which is why they're undergoing an image makeover.

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diet food veganism vegetarian nutrition nutrients vitamins digestive-system iron zinc seeds fiber calcium magnesium vegetarianism grains legumes whole-grains beans

Implant uses light to tell your brain you’re not hungry

A new wireless medical implant stimulates the endings of the vagus nerve, which is responsible for the regulation of food intake.

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food brains light health-and-medicine implants body-weight

UK allows emergency use of bee-harming pesticide

In 2018, the EU and UK imposed an almost-total ban because of the serious damage it could cause.

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environment biodiversity bees life pesticides department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs

18 million US children are at risk of hunger: How is the problem being addressed and what more can be done?

An estimated 1 in 4 US children have trouble getting enough to eat at least sometimes. We asked four scholars for their insights..

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hunger volunteering food-insecurity food-banks community-gardens supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap food-pantries child-hunger urban-gardening

You’re not alone in eating more comfort food during COVID

A new survey shows that food-secure people didn't change their diets much, but many are turning to more comfort food than usual.

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covid-19 food stress emotions food-security society-and-culture

What to feed ducks – according to science

Your local ducks (and other wild birds) will thank you.

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birds food nutrition ducks parks urban-wildlife ponds bread wild-animals

People from different places don’t taste bitter stuff the same way

A new study finds Danish and Chinese people taste bitter stuff like broccoli and chocolate differently, suggesting ethnicity may play a role in taste.

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artificial-intelligence food taste featured science-and-technology race-and-ethnicity tongues