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food science

04/21/2018 / By Zoey Sky

New biochemical leaching process uses corn stover to recover rare earth metals from electronic waste

A study has determined that aside from being used as fodder or bedding, corn stover can be used as feedstock for a new biochemical leaching process. This revolutionary process helps recover valuable rare earth metals from electronic waste. The biochemical leaching process is similar to a mining process and it requires the use of corn stover. […]

04/05/2018 / By David Williams

New Jersey indoor farm can grow plants all year long while using 95 percent less water than outdoor farms, with no pesticides at all

There’s something special about a new farm in Kearny, New Jersey. Headed by a former techie turned farmer, Bowery Farming is uniquely poised to serve as the blueprint for future farms with a focus on sustainability and reliability. More specifically, by applying clever new methods, the CEO and founder of Bowery Farming, Irving Fain, has created […]

04/03/2018 / By Ralph Flores

What is the right amount of nitrogen in agriculture? Not enough contributes to hunger, too much damages the environment

Nitrogen is essential in crop production, but it comes with a caveat: Use too much of it, and you risk polluting the environment; use too little, and you risk limiting your crop yield. This was also the focus of an article that appeared in the journal Nutrient Cycling in Agrosystems. The paper, led by researchers from […]

03/25/2018 / By Tracey Watson

Working with nature to reduce pesticide use: Farmers around the world are rediscovering the increased yields offered by biodiversity

The face of agriculture has changed dramatically over the past century. Instead of working with what nature has provided, encouraging biodiversity and companion planting to ward off pests, farmers have been encouraged to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, with disastrous results. Despite being promised greater crop protection and increased yields, the results have been low-yielding […]

03/22/2018 / By Zoey Sky

Birds help produce rare wild chili peppers through symbiotic relationships

A study conducted by researchers from Iowa State University revealed that a certain species of birds helps chili peppers grow in the wild. According to the researchers, the data from their study helped them learn more about “a mutualistic, or mutually beneficial, relationship between birds and chili peppers in the Mariana Islands.” Haldre Rogers, an assistant professor […]

03/19/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Organic fertilizer alternatives: Composted chicken litter promotes sustainable agro-ecosystems with minimal nutrient leeching

The idea of nutrient loss is a common but troublesome problem that plagues all kinds of soils. Efforts have been made by a number of institutions to combat this issue, to varying degrees of success. Yet, as a team of researchers has demonstrated, the answer could very well lie in a tool widely used by […]

03/17/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

The security of our food and nutrition supply is compromised by pesticide residues, new science finds

The world is getting more connected by the minute – and with that comes our dependence on specific regions for certain food items. Take Brazil, for example. Thanks to its climate and geographical diversity, the country has slowly put its place on the map: What was once a country only known for sugar has become […]

03/12/2018 / By Isabelle Z.

Food scientists have created a new, faster way of testing for pesticide residues on vegetables using magnetic nanoparticles

You’ve decided that spending extra money on organic produce is worth the reassurance it gives you. Whether you’re driven by environmental concerns or you’re trying to reduce your risk of cancer, it’s a smart move for your health. However, how can you be sure that these foods you’re paying a premium for are truly free […]

03/07/2018 / By Jayson Veley

Liberal propaganda magazine The Atlantic glorifies chemical agriculture as “high-tech food,” denounces belief in nature as anti-science

In the eyes of many of the large seed and pesticide corporations, if you don’t buy into the idea that genetically engineered seeds and chemically enhanced crops are the way of the future, then you are “anti-science.” Last month, the far left Atlantic magazine provided a platform for these corporations to spread their propaganda in […]

02/14/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Food waste is costing us all: The environmental and financial cost of spoiled food

You wouldn’t suspect bananas, apples, tomatoes, salad, sweet peppers, pears and grapes to be the primary culprits of a costly crime. Yet according to an AlphaGalileo article, a Swedish research team identified those aforementioned fresh produce to comprise nearly half of the food that goes to waste on the shelves of retail stores. Researchers from […]

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