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BioScience article describes early scale-up stage of new biotechnology with environmental benefits

An article published in the June issue of BioScience describes the early scale-up stage of a new biotechnology with environmental benefits and possible commercial potential. Algal turf scrubbers are field-sized, water-treatment systems that can extract excess nutrients from streams, canals, and lakes polluted by agricultural, domestic, and some industrial runoff.

1 Jun 2011

Advocates express aid concerns after G8 summit ends

After the conclusion of the G8 summit in Deauville, France, last week, development experts expressed concern that the G8's aid package, aimed at encouraging democracy mostly in North Africa, would result in less aid for the rest of the continent, Inter Press Service reports.

1 Jun 2011

JRC report shows how molecular technologies can help combat illegal fishing, support traceability

Low-cost catfish fillets sold as expensive sole fillets or cod caught in the North Sea but declared as originating from the Baltic Sea are both examples of types of fraud in the fisheries sector. A European Commission report published today shows how molecular technologies - based on genetics, genomics, chemistry and forensics - can provide clear answers to questions such as "what species does this fish product come from….where was this fish caught….is it wild or farmed?".

30 May 2011

FDA scraps food pyramid for food plate

The Obama government is all set to ignore the food pyramid, that symbol of healthy eating for the last two decades. In its place officials are dishing up a simple, plate-shaped symbol, sliced into wedges for the basic food groups and half-filled with fruits and vegetables.

29 May 2011

OPINION: Aid for women farmers is a worthy investment

In a piece on The Hill's "Congress Blog," Eva Clayton, a former Democratic member of Congress from North Carolina and assistant director general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization between 2003 and 2006, calls on the World Bank to invest more in women farmers in the developing world, after the agency "largely ignored the role women and small entrepreneurs can play in the developing world to improve food security" at an April 2011 meeting.

27 May 2011

Severe drought in China putting pressure on drinking water, agriculture

"Chinese authorities will step up the release of water from the Three Gorges Dam in a bid to tackle a drought in southern China which has put pressure on drinking water, crops, shipping lanes and electricity production in what is traditionally China's most water-abundant region," the Financial Times reports.

27 May 2011

DNA-based traceability system tracks beef

Starting today, 11,000 U.S. restaurants that serve Braveheart Black Angus Beef will be able to assure diners a guarantee of quality about their premium Angus beef through DNA TraceBack®, the nation's first-of-its-kind assurance of quality and commitment.

27 May 2011

Global health, development issues not likely to be focus of Deauville G8 meeting, IPS reports

"When leaders of the Group of 8 (G8) industrialised nations meet in Deauville, France, later this week, there is a strong possibility that politics will take precedence over traditional socioeconomic issues like food security and development aid, which are being overshadowed by the Arab revolution and Palestinian statehood," Inter Press Service writes of the G8 meeting, which begins on Thursday.

27 May 2011

Bill Gates, USAID Administrator Shah call for more investment in poor farmers to ensure global food security

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Foundation, and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah on Tuesday called for developed countries to invest in farmers in the developing world to help end global hunger, Agence France-Presse reports. Gates and Shah spoke at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs' Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security in Washington, D.C.

26 May 2011

UA, Sandia Labs to collaborate on engineering aspects of four critical environmental research areas

The University of Arizona and Sandia National Laboratories have agreed to collaborate on engineering aspects of four critical environmental research areas in a new partnership that will initially focus on research involving management of these resources in the Southwestern U.S.

25 May 2011

Opinion: Global food security requires 'results-driven development' approach

"As we work to develop solutions to the challenge of global food security, it's essential that we focus on results-driven development in both the public and private sectors," Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc., and chair of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition's Business Advisory Council, writes on The Hill's "Congress Blog."

25 May 2011

Cooking pork needs lower temperatures now

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines released Tuesday it is recommended that pork be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees, 15 degrees cooler than the previous standard.

24 May 2011

New cancer study finds benefit in old therapy

Cancer patients who used a 5,000-year-old combination of gentle exercise and meditation experienced significantly higher wellbeing levels, improved cognitive functioning and less inflammation compared to a control group, new University of Sydney research has found.

24 May 2011

U.S. delegation to assess food security needs in North Korea

A U.S. delegation will visit North Korea this week to evaluate the country's food security needs, the State Department said, RTT News reports.

24 May 2011

Fungi help increase food-production without the need for massive amounts of fertilizers

The next agricultural revolution may be sparked by fungi, helping to greatly increase food-production for the growing needs of the planet without the need for massive amounts of fertilizers according to research presented today at the 111th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in New Orleans.

24 May 2011

Tobacco wars

According to reports, Australia is gearing up for the world's toughest laws on tobacco promotion but Health Minister Nicola Roxon denied Sunday the government's ultimate goal was a complete ban on smoking.

23 May 2011

Public smoking ban in NYC

Smoking has been banned from many parts of the U.S. over the last decade. New York City is now taking the war against tobacco a step further with a new law that goes into effect tomorrow, banning smoking outdoors - at beaches, boardwalks, parks, and pedestrian plazas.

23 May 2011

Zombie attack guidelines

According to a blog post, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has put together tips on how to avoid becoming attacked by zombies. A "Zombie Task Force" acting for the US Government has released official advice on how to survive an undead apocalypse.

23 May 2011

Experts discuss latest developments in goat, sheep and other non-cow milk sectors at IDF symposium

Over 250 experts from 37 countries gathered in Athens, Greece, this week for the International Dairy Federation's Dairy Science and Technology Week to discuss the latest developments in goat, sheep and other non-cow milk sectors.

23 May 2011

Global scientists rebuke coming decision on carcinogenicity of radiofrequency and microwaves

In collaboration with the International EMF Alliance (IEMFA), scientists from Europe, North America, Australia and Israel have sent an Open Letter to Dr. Christopher Wild, Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), calling for a postponement of the forthcoming meeting May 24-31, 2011 in Lyon, France, “Non-Ionizing Radiation, Part II: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field [includes mobile telephones],” at which determination of the carcinogenicity of cell phones and wireless technologies will be made.

22 May 2011

Miscellaneous News

BioScience article describes early scale-up stage of new biotechnology with environmental benefits

Advocates express aid concerns after G8 summit ends

JRC report shows how molecular technologies can help combat illegal fishing, support traceability

FDA scraps food pyramid for food plate

OPINION: Aid for women farmers is a worthy investment

Severe drought in China putting pressure on drinking water, agriculture

DNA-based traceability system tracks beef

Global health, development issues not likely to be focus of Deauville G8 meeting, IPS reports

Bill Gates, USAID Administrator Shah call for more investment in poor farmers to ensure global food security

UA, Sandia Labs to collaborate on engineering aspects of four critical environmental research areas

Opinion: Global food security requires 'results-driven development' approach

Cooking pork needs lower temperatures now

New cancer study finds benefit in old therapy

U.S. delegation to assess food security needs in North Korea

Fungi help increase food-production without the need for massive amounts of fertilizers

Tobacco wars

Public smoking ban in NYC

Zombie attack guidelines

Experts discuss latest developments in goat, sheep and other non-cow milk sectors at IDF symposium

Global scientists rebuke coming decision on carcinogenicity of radiofrequency and microwaves

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

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