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New study reveals major contributors to China's pollution problem

It's no secret that China is faced with some of the world's worst pollution. Until now, however, information on the magnitude, scope and impacts of a major contributor to that pollution - human-caused nitrogen emissions - was lacking.

27 Feb 2013

Study determines effectiveness of sewage lagoons at removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater

2012 marked the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which established regulations for the discharge of pollutants to waterways and supported the building of sewage treatment plants. Despite these advances, sewage remains a major source of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and naturally occurring hormones found in the environment.

15 Feb 2013

Overview on dioxins

Dioxins are a group of relatively stable lipophilic organic substances. They are formed in small amounts during the combustion of organic materials and also in the manufacture of certain chemicals. They may be present in foods and feeds at low but measurable values and in highly variable amounts, and they have been associated with a number of possible negative biological effects.

31 Jan 2013

New records of fraudulent food products added to USP Food Fraud Database

Nearly 800 new records of "food fraud" added to the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention's (USP) Food Fraud Database present new information about foods that are vulnerable to fraudulent manipulation in today's food supply.

25 Jan 2013

Ractopamine can boost pork production, does not affect meat quality or taste

Animal scientists in Brazil have found that a small dose of the feed additive ractopamine can boost pork production without changing how pork looks or tastes.

25 Jan 2013

Skin care tips for winter season

Our bodies have a natural layer of oil that helps protect the skin, but the dry air of winter (along with poor skin care) can override this natural protection and leave a lot of people with itchy, scaly winter skin.

25 Jan 2013

Opinion Pieces address launch of 'IF Campaign' against global hunger

A coalition of 100 U.K. development charities and faith groups on Wednesday launched the IF campaign, aimed at addressing global hunger. The following is a summary of opinion pieces published in response to the campaign's launch.

25 Jan 2013

Media tours help journalists report on development activities

In the U.S. Department of State's DipNote blog, David Lane, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. food and agriculture agencies in Rome, writes about hosting a media tour for journalists, to provide them "an opportunity to see how countries like Tanzania and Malawi are investing in agriculture and in programs to fight hunger and improve nutrition, and how development partners like the United Nations and United States are helping them.

25 Jan 2013

Examining possible scenarios in U.S. budget negotiations and effects on foreign aid

Tod Preston, director of government relations at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, discusses four theories on what could happen with U.S. budget negotiations and the possible effects on foreign aid.

25 Jan 2013

Consuming protein blend after exercise can promote muscle protein synthesis

A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition demonstrates the benefits of consuming a protein blend for muscle protein synthesis after exercise. This study is a first-of-its-kind, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch, and utilizes the proteins from soy, whey and casein consumed after an acute bout of resistance exercise. These proteins have complementary amino acid profiles and different digestion rates (amino acid release profiles).

25 Jan 2013

Waters and Fera launch new international food safety training facility

A major new international food safety training facility, aimed at improving compliance with EU food import standards, is being launched today by The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) and analytical equipment manufacturer Waters®.

22 Jan 2013

Researchers say Germany risks eroding its moral authority unless it protects fundamental rights

A research team comprising of academics, political analysts, human rights activists, journalists and representatives of minority groups presented a study in Brussels Monday that seriously questions human rights violations in Germany, concluding that the country risks eroding its moral authority if it does not do more to protect fundamental rights within its own borders.

22 Jan 2013

Perennial biofuel crops reduce nitrogen losses into the environment

Perennial biofuel crops such as miscanthus, whose high yields have led them to be considered an eventual alternative to corn in producing ethanol, are now shown to have another beneficial characteristic-the ability to reduce the escape of nitrogen in the environment.

19 Jan 2013

Dominance and skill are two strategies to gain power and status

19 Dec 2012

Community solidarity and support have remarkable benefits for people coping with tragedies

Community solidarity and support have remarkable benefits for people coping with traumatic mass shootings, according to an American-Finnish research study recently published by the University of Turku.

19 Dec 2012

New form of puffed rice ideal for breakfast cereals and snacks

A new process for blowing up grains of rice produces a super-nutritious form of puffed rice, with three times more protein and a rich endowment of other nutrients that make it ideal for breakfast cereals, snack foods and nutrient bars for school lunch programs, scientists are reporting. Their study appears in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

19 Dec 2012

Flexpoint to deliver sensor products to Intertek and Bridgepoint

Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. today announced that it has received follow-up orders from long standing clients Bridgepoint and Intertek. The orders will be completed and shipped before the close of the year.

10 Dec 2012

Feature stories dealing with fitness, diet, and nutrition

This is the latest in a series of topical feature packages PRN will carry as part of its regular Feature News Service. Coming up in 2012 are features on: Fitness, Diet and Nutrition Feature Package

10 Dec 2012

Global CO2 emissions have increased by 58% since 1990

Carbon dioxide emission reductions required to limit global warming to 2-C are becoming a receding goal based on new figures reported today in the latest Global Carbon Project (GCP) calculations published today in the advanced online edition of Nature Climate Change. "A shift to a 2-C pathway requires an immediate, large, and sustained global mitigation effort" says GCP executive-director and CSIRO co-author of the paper, Dr Pep Canadell.

3 Dec 2012

Global food prices remain stable but high, World Bank reports

"Global food prices remained stable, though close to 2008 record levels, the World Bank said on Thursday, as it warned that a 'new norm' of costlier food was setting in and threatening to increase hunger and malnutrition in the world's poorer regions," Reuters reports.

1 Dec 2012