By Theme - Food

  • Farming, Native American style
    Farming, Native American style

    Native agriculture could be a sophisticated response to a challenging environment. What were the secrets of permaculture, companion cropping and corn farming? Could these techniques contribute to modern farming?


    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
  • Feeding 7+ billion
    Feeding 7+ billion

    The green revolution fed billions, but population keeps rising, water is short and the climate is changing. How will Africans feed themselves despite poor soil and widespread poverty? Could small projects that fit the environment and culture make farmers an engine of prosperity and a big source of food?


    Thursday, November 10th, 2011
  • Cattle, wildlife: No real conflict?
    Cattle, wildlife: No real conflict?

    In African savannas, cattle graze the same grass as zebras, elephants and gazelles. Obviously, wildlife are stealing food from the mouths of cattle, and from the people who depend on cattle. But new data show that in the wet season, grazing wildlife actually benefit cattle!


    Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
  • Soil: Key to solving the food crisis?
    Soil: Key to solving the food crisis?

    One-third of soils are degraded. Fighting desertification, soil erosion and nutrient loss may be expensive, but some soil-restoring techniques solve multiple problems.


    Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
  • Coffee: Drink of the gods?
    Coffee: Drink of the gods?

    Coffee used to be slandered as a mood-boosting, energy-enhancing addiction. But new research shows that the complex chemistry of coffee – java contains way more than just caffeine – may help with diabetes, dementia, heart disease, even some cancers. Where does the research stand? How convincing is it? Bottoms up?


    Thursday, April 21st, 2011
  • Apples
    In praise of the lowly apple

    Among foodies, apples lack the “healthy-tasty” cachet of acai berries or pomegranates. But in a year-long study, apples produced major benefits in cholesterol and inflammation. After eating 75 grams of dry apple a day, the women even lost three pounds. Is there something not to love about apples?


    Thursday, April 14th, 2011
  • To avoid polluted soil, many urban gardens import clean soil. Looks like Chicago's buildings are not stealing the sun from this garden!
    Farming in the city

    Urban farms are sprouting in the most unlikely places. Advocates say they help with nutrition, obesity and job training. They build community and help immigrants assimilate, cut energy usage, and cool the planet. But does the reality match the claims? Food is flowing, but what’s new with farming in the city?


    Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
  • Bee with stinger coming from its snout poking its head out of the dirt
    Pollinator crisis ahead

    Many of the tastiest crops can’t pollinate themselves: melons, cucumbers, strawberries, almonds, cacao. But pollinators — both native and managed — are under threat from diseases and pesticides. They aren’t finding enough to eat. Their colonies are dying. What can we do?


    Thursday, August 5th, 2010
  • When rice and beans are combined, they produce a complete protein. Does unconscious food choice explain the widespread dietary choice for rice and beans?
    Food choice

    Fruit flies have a signaling pathway that helps them choose protein or carbohydrate, depending on the situation. The switch, which is also implicated in aging and cancer, exists in a wide variety of animals, including you. Does a new study explain why so many cultures eat rice and beans?


    Thursday, May 13th, 2010
  • Light brown ceramic jar with large round bottom and spouting top, cracked and chipped with age
    Bottoms up!

    People have been controlling fermentation for at least 9,000 years. What were the ancients brewing, and how did alcohol change society?


    Thursday, December 24th, 2009


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