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Babies at Risk: Glyphosate’s Shocking Toll on Birth Outcomes

The AHA! Team — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:23:40 +0000

Patrick Tims via NaturalHealth365 – We will examine this study, which observes the link between premature birth, low birth weight, and other peri/prenatal concerns associated with exposure to glyphosate and other environmental toxins. Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, accounting for massive spots of agricultural production and invading every part of our communities. While the link between glyphosate and certain types of cancers has already been established, there is emerging data that suggests that glyphosate impacts prenatal health and birth outcomes as well. We will examine this study, which observes the link between premature birth, low birth weight, and other peri/prenatal concerns associated with exposure to glyphosate and other environmental toxins. While environmental toxins like glyphosate are more pervasive than most people realize, we’ll provide actionable steps to help you reduce your exposure and safeguard the health of you and your family. Understanding glyphosate exposure risks to unborn babies Researchers were concerned about the potential harmful effects of glyphosate on fertility and birth outcomes, particularly for individuals living in agricultural areas where glyphosate is heavily used. They focused on communities with lower economic mobility, as these individuals often face the highest levels of exposure. To understand the issue, it’s important to know how glyphosate works. Glyphosate is a powerful herbicide that kills plants unless they are genetically modified (GMO) to resist it. The same company that produces glyphosate also sells GMO seeds designed to survive its application. As a result, glyphosate is often sprayed liberally on fields, eliminating weeds while saturating the soil, groundwater, and air with a highly toxic chemical. Researchers analyzed data from U.S. counties where glyphosate use was especially high, often in areas growing GMO crops like corn and soybeans, which were already well-suited to those regions. After 1996, glyphosate usage soared, and researchers reviewed over 9 million birth records spanning 1993 to 2021 to assess its impact. They compared birth outcomes – such as birth weight and gestational length – in counties with high glyphosate use to those with significantly less exposure. The findings were concerning. On average, babies born in areas with higher glyphosate exposure had gestational periods shortened by a full day and weighed an ounce less at birth. Alarmingly, the effects were even worse for babies who were already at risk of being premature or having low birth weight, although the study couldn’t pinpoint the exact reasons for this heightened vulnerability. Overall, the research demonstrated that glyphosate exposure negatively affects gestational time and birth weight for all babies, with the most severe outcomes seen in already vulnerable populations. Families with lower socioeconomic status, who are often more exposed and have fewer resources to reduce their risk, bear the greatest burden. Compounding risks of other environmental toxins Undoubtedly, the relentless presence of air pollution and the widespread use of plastics have caused significant genetic damage over generations. Heavy metals, air pollutants, BPAs from disposable plastics, pesticides, herbicides, and chemical runoff contaminate groundwater and poison agricultural communities daily. When you combine the impact of glyphosate on farmers and rural populations with these other environmental toxins, the effects on children’s gestational and birth health, as well as their long-term well-being, are deeply concerning. Glyphosate is particularly insidious. Rural communities are exposed not only when it is applied to crops but also through its residue, which remains on food long after harvest. Wheat and potatoes are especially problematic, as they are heavily treated with glyphosate, and traces persist when they reach the market. Despite the position of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that these levels pose ‘no safety concern,’ the continued presence of glyphosate in our food supply raises serious questions about its long-term impact on health. Solutions and preventative measures Unfortunately, those corporations with wealth and power often prioritize profit over public health, leaving vulnerable communities to bear the brunt of harmful practices. Companies like Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) have deep pockets to lobby politicians and keep glyphosate legal. The power to create change lies in grassroots, community-driven efforts where people unite to demand better from their representatives and protect their communities. Start by lobbying your congressional representatives, making it clear that their re-election depends on their support for your stance against glyphosate use. Building local community organizations to educate others about the dangers of glyphosate can also have a significant impact. At the very least, push for transparency by ensuring your community is informed when large-scale glyphosate applications are planned. Advocating for herbicide-free green spaces in your town is another proactive step. On a personal level, you can reduce your exposure to glyphosate by supporting small farms that produce organic crops. In many cases, buying your food from local sources can save you money and the long-term health benefits far outweigh the expense. Investing in a high-quality water filtration system is another critical measure, especially for those living in rural or agricultural areas where contamination risks are higher. While it’s uncertain whether glyphosate will ever be thoroughly scrutinized for its toxicity in the U.S., you can still take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. By wisely investing your time, energy, and resources – whether through advocacy, education, or personal choices – you can help secure a healthier future for your family and your communities. Sources for this article include: PNAS.org Medicalxpress.com To read the original article click here.

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U.S. Approves World’s First GMO Wheat Grown with Banned Neurotoxic Herbicide

The AHA! Team — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:30:56 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – While corporations and even our government tamper with our food, yet another addition is making its way to U.S. soil. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently approved the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) wheat. The first GM wheat in the world comes from Bioceres, an Argentinean company, and French company Florimond Desprez. While Argentina is currently the “only” place where GM wheat products are being consumed, this toxic food is heading to the United States. The movement to deregister GM wheat products is strong and relentless. It will eventually happen, likely sooner rather than later. To avoid this, it is a good idea to begin preparations now. The hidden dangers of glufosinate ammonium One of the biggest concerns about GMO wheat is that it is grown with glufosinate ammonium. This highly dangerous agrotoxin has been banned in the European Union due to its serious health risks. Exposure to glufosinate ammonium has been linked to a range of concerning health impacts, including gastrointestinal issues such as mouth ulcers, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sore throat. Cardiovascular problems like low blood pressure (hypotension) and slow heart rate (bradycardia) have also been reported. Neurological effects can range from drowsiness, headaches, agitation, tremors, stupor, confusion, and dizziness to severe outcomes like seizures, retrograde amnesia, coma, and even respiratory failure. Additionally, respiratory complications such as hypoxia and shortness of breath pose significant threats. Given these alarming risks, it’s clear that we must actively avoid products containing this harmful chemical. Unfortunately, we cannot rely on government agencies to protect us; their actions often suggest the opposite. We must stay informed, make conscious choices, and take control of our health and well-being. Too many red flags to ignore! When it comes to GM wheat, the red flags are impossible to overlook. For starters, no publicly available studies or documentation prove its safety. Despite being heavily promoted as “drought resistant,” no credible evidence supports this claim. In fact, GM wheat hasn’t even demonstrated higher productivity compared to conventional wheat. The situation in Argentina highlights another major concern. The country’s National Commission on Biotechnology, the central authority responsible for approving GM foods, is largely made up of representatives from companies that profit from selling GMOs. With such an obvious conflict of interest, there are virtually no checks and balances in place to ensure transparency or accountability. These glaring issues make it clear that GM wheat comes with far more questions than answers. How to avoid GM wheat: Take control of your food choices Avoiding GM wheat is entirely possible with some mindful shopping habits. One of the most effective strategies is to buy organic. Foods with the Certified Organic seal are prohibited from containing GMOs, offering a reliable safeguard against genetically modified ingredients. When shopping, look for the Non-GMO Project Verified seal. While many products claim to be “non-GMO,” this official certification ensures a higher standard of transparency and accountability, giving you greater confidence in your purchases. Another essential step is to avoid processed foods. Whole, organic foods are far less likely to contain GMOs, while processed foods are notorious for sneaking them in through various additives and fillers. Whenever possible, buy directly from local farms. This supports the local economy, allows you to ask questions about farming practices, and helps to ensure you get clean, high-quality food. The reality is that the tampering with our food supply isn’t likely to stop anytime soon. Governments and large corporations often prioritize profit and convenience over nutrition and public health. That means it’s up to us to take matters into our own hands – to educate ourselves, make informed choices, and seek out healthy alternatives to the heavily processed, GMO-laden products they want to push on us. It’s time to stand firm. Every purchase is a choice, a step towards reclaiming control over our health. Push back. Choose better. Sources for this article include: Childrenshealthdefense.org Sciencedirect.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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Strawberries Bloom Once Again Near the Gaza Border

The AHA! Team — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 05:32:14 +0000

Zachy Hennessey via Israel21c – Owner of Uri Tutim farm says it will take the region’s agriculture a long time to recover, but its very existence is nothing short of a miracle. “Let me take you down ’cause I’m going to strawberry fields.” This line from the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” was ringing in my ears as I made my way to Uri Tutim (Uri’s Strawberries) farm in Moshav Yesha near the Gaza border. The strawberry fields the Beatles sang about were actually a reference to Salvation Army Homes. Meanwhile, I was heading to a farm located in the Western Negev that was among many others that were ravaged by the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. “Even before October 7, there were rocket hits in our greenhouses; an American woman was killed inside the moshav by a rocket once,” the farm’s owner, Uri Patkin, tells ISRAEL21c. From high-tech to farming Patkin, 55, grew up in Yesha, helping his father run the family farm. Eventually he moved to the center of the country, where he worked in high-tech for nearly a decade. “At the age of 35, I left my job and I told my parents I was coming back to the Negev to become a farmer. My dad told me I was crazy,” he says with a laugh. “But by that time I was already married and had children. I thought it would be better to raise a family in a moshav than in the city, closer to the land and nature.” At first, he worked at his father’s prominent flower farm. Shortly afterwards, however, he decided to start cultivating strawberries and business took off. For years, Uri’s Strawberries exported most of its produce to the biggest supermarket chains in Europe. When it became more financially lucrative for Europeans to import produce from countries like Egypt and Morocco, Patkin didn’t scale back; he just redirected the goods to the local market. Special technique One of the main reasons for Patkin’s success was the introduction of a special growing technique that not many Israeli farms were using at the time: planting in containers or baskets suspended from the top of the greenhouse. “The results of the method are high-quality berries with a shelf life that’s longer than what is customary for strawberries,” notes Patkin. Avoiding direct contact with the soil leads to less fungi and mold, requires fewer pesticides and makes picking easier for farm workers. “We also pluck out the bottom leaves, so that way the strawberry is always ventilated by dry air, free of invaders.” Although this method requires infrastructure and larger investments per unit area, he says, it also yields much more produce per unit. ‘The worst day of my life’ Patkin says that even before the October 7 attacks, there were constant “rounds of violence” launched by Gaza terrorist groups toward Israel. “It used to discourage people from coming to work or live here because every few weeks, sometimes every few days, missiles can start falling from the sky,” notes Patkin. But nothing could have prepared Patkin or other residents of the area for that Black Saturday. “It was the worst day of my life; people were being killed all around me,” he recalls. Five of the six were killed in the fighting Yesha was among the very few communities in the area that managed to fight off the invading terrorists thanks to six members of moshav’s emergency squad. However, five of the six were killed in the fighting: Lior Ben Yaakov, Gil Avital, Itai Nachmias, Tal Maban and Dan Assulin. And as they retreated from the moshav, the surviving terrorists kidnapped or killed foreign workers from Thailand. “The foreign workers are not part of this conflict between Palestinians and Israel, and they found themselves on the battlefield. I feel a lot of personal responsibility over that,” Patkin tells ISRAEL21c. Patkin himself was out helping the few IDF soldiers who finally reach the moshav in the afternoon hours. “I had to accompany the army, while taking care of the dead and the wounded, something I don’t recommend anyone go through in their life,” he says. A long time for full rehabilitation By October 8, nearly all Yesha residents were evacuated, except for the replacement emergency squad. A day later, all foreign workers followed. Patkin was among the few residents who never left the moshav, even when his entire family was evacuated. “We were ready to give up on agriculture. We thought, ‘At least we’re alive and healthy.’ But three days later, waves upon waves of volunteers from all over the country showed up, telling us they’re here to save agriculture,” Patkin recalls. He says that for the first three to four months after the attack, agriculture at the moshav was kept going by volunteers, who ultimately saved it. “Our type of agriculture is intense; it’s not like wheat that you plant and it just grows. Every day you have to do agrotechnical work and supervision.” Eventually, Israel began recruiting new agricultural workers from around the world to help rehabilitate the region. “This is what got the farms back on their feet, but still not to the scale they were before October 7,” he says. “I personally revived only about 50% of my farm; it will take a long time for it to fully rehabilitate.” By now, 90 percent of Yesha residents have come back to the moshav. Uri Tutim welcomes tourists to visit and pick strawberries by hand for a small admission fee. These visits help support not only the farm, but the entire region that is still hurting from what it endured. For more information, click here. To read the original article click here.

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Nebraska Moves to Ban Lab-Grown Meat, Joins Push Against Fake Food

The AHA! Team — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 05:15:50 +0000

Lance D Johnson via Natural News – Lab-grown meat, also known as cultivated meat, is produced by isolating animal cells and growing them in a lab using a mix of chemicals, growth hormones, and nutrients. While proponents argue it offers environmental benefits, critics warn of its potential health risks. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen proposes banning lab-grown meat production and sale to protect the state’s farmers and ranchers. The ban, part of a national backlash, follows similar actions in Florida and Alabama, with ten other states requiring clear labeling. Critics highlight potential health risks and the unnatural production process of lab-grown meat, which involves chemicals and growth hormones. The movement opposes globalist agendas and billionaire-funded initiatives, such as those promoted by the World Economic Forum. The push aims to reclaim control of the food supply, prioritizing traditional agriculture and natural food over synthetic alternatives. Legislative Bill 246, would prohibit the sale of lab-grown meat in grocery stores Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has announced a proposal to ban lab-grown meat from production and sale within the Cornhusker State. The announcement, made on Monday, places Nebraska at the forefront of a growing national backlash against fake food pushed by billionaire-funded agendas and globalist organizations like the World Economic Forum. With Florida and Alabama already enacting similar bans and ten other states mandating clear labeling, the fight against lab-grown meat is gaining momentum. Gov. Pillen, a farmer himself, framed the proposal as a defense of Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers, who form the backbone of the state’s economy. “It’s important we get on the offense so that Nebraska farmers and ranchers are not undermined,” Pillen said at a news conference. The proposed ban, introduced as Legislative Bill 246, would prohibit the sale of lab-grown meat in grocery stores, although consumers could still purchase it online for delivery. The health risks of lab-grown meat Lab-grown meat, also known as cultivated meat, is produced by isolating animal cells and growing them in a lab using a mix of chemicals, growth hormones, and nutrients. While proponents argue it offers environmental benefits, critics warn of its potential health risks. Julie Auch, a Republican representative from South Dakota, highlighted the unsettling process behind lab-grown meat: “Thirteen essential amino acids, glucose, six inorganic salts—which is another name for chemicals—and eight water-soluble vitamins and blood serum is how this meat is actually produced.” Lack of long-term studies on the health effects of consuming lab-grown meat raises serious concerns. Unlike traditional meat, which has been a staple of human diets for millennia, lab-grown alternatives are a product of modern biotechnology, raising questions about their safety and nutritional value. Gov. Pillen expressed skepticism about relying on labels to inform consumers, citing the example of almond milk. “There is no way. It’s almond nut juice,” he said. “It’s not milk, and it’s a full-blown attack on the milk industry.” A growing movement against fake food Nebraska’s proposal is part of a broader pushback against lab-grown meat, which has been championed by billionaires like Bill Gates and global organizations like the World Economic Forum. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who banned lab-grown meat earlier this year, declared, “Take your fake lab-grown meat elsewhere. We’re not doing that in the state of Florida.” DeSantis framed the ban as a rejection of the WEF’s agenda to replace traditional diets with lab-grown meat and insects. The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which prioritizes natural, clean food, is expected to further fuel this movement. With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. poised to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, there is optimism that the federal government will take decisive action to protect America’s food supply from what critics describe as a dystopian vision of the future. Movement to prioritize real, clean food over synthetic alternatives is gaining strength The fight against lab-grown meat is not just about protecting farmers or preserving tradition—it’s about reclaiming control of the food supply from mega-corporations and returning it to small, family-owned farms. As Gov. Pillen put it, “We’re going to be aggressive and not let that happen to the rest of the industries.” With Nebraska joining the ranks of states taking a stand against lab-grown meat, the movement to prioritize real, clean food over synthetic alternatives is gaining strength. As Americans become more aware of the risks associated with lab-grown meat, the push to protect traditional agriculture and public health is likely to grow. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NebraskaExaminer.com SDPB.com To read the original article, click here

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Pioneering Method Determines if Tomatoes are Ready to Pick

The AHA! Team — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 06:39:18 +0000

Yulia Karra via Israel21c – This new machine learning technology could help farmers optimize harvest timing and improve the quality of the produce. Researchers recently developed a machine learning model that helps assess the quality of tomatoes before harvest. The pioneering method could make tomato harvest easier, more cost efficient and sustainable. In a study recently published in the Computers and Electronics in Agriculture scientific journal, scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) said their model recognizes the key parameters of tomato quality with exceptional accuracy. Why tomatoes? The coauthors explain that the tomato is “one of the most substantial crops grown worldwide, with significant economic and nutritional values.” In 2020, the global gross production of tomatoes was 189 million tons. Tomatoes are nutritionally rich, offering sugars, organic acids, lycopene, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and may even reduce the risk of several cancers, cardiovascular conditions, and age-related macular degeneration. However, traditional methods of determining the quality of tomato crops happen only after harvest and have many drawbacks. The HUJI researchers, in collaboration with researchers from Bar-Ilan University and the government’s Volcani Center Agricultural Research Organization, employed hyperspectral imaging to develop a machine learning model for pre-harvest assessment. Hyperspectral images of specific ranges of light wavelengths, known as spectral bands, are used to study the properties of objects based on how they reflect light. The scientists used a handheld hyperspectral camera to collect data from 567 tomato fruits across five cultivars. They then employed machine learning algorithms to predict seven critical tomato quality parameters: weight, firmness, total soluble solids, citric acid, ascorbic acid, lycopene, and pH. The model demonstrated high prediction accuracy. The researchers said the study highlights potential for integration of the method into agricultural practices to evaluate produce quality during ripening stages, optimizing harvest timing, as well in supermarkets at later stages. “Our research aims to bridge the gap between advanced imaging technology, AI, and practical agricultural applications,” said David Helman from HUJI’s Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, who led the study. “This work has the potential to revolutionize quality monitoring not only in tomatoes but also in other crops. Our next step is to build a low-cost device — ToMAI-SENS — based on our model that will be used across the fruit value chain, from farms to consumers,” he added. To read the original article click here.

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Scientists Tackle Farm Nutrient Pollution with Sustainable, Affordable Designer Biochar Pellets

The AHA! Team — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:21:05 +0000

University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences via EurekAlert! – What if farmers could not only prevent excess phosphorus from polluting downstream waterways, but also recycle that nutrient as a slow-release fertilizer, all without spending a lot of money? In a first-of-its-kind field study, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers show it’s possible and economical. “Phosphorus removal structures have been developed to capture dissolved phosphorus from tile drainage systems, but current phosphorus sorption materials are either inefficient or they are industrial waste products that aren’t easy to dispose of. This motivated us to develop an eco-friendly and acceptable material to remove phosphorus from tile drainage systems,” said study author Hongxu Zhou, who completed the study as a doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE), part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and The Grainger College of Engineering at U. of I. Zhou and his co-authors used sawdust and lime sludge, byproducts from milling and drinking water treatment plants, respectively. They mixed the two ingredients, formed the mixture into pellets, and slow-burned them under low-oxygen conditions to create a “designer” biochar with significantly higher phosphorus-binding capacity compared to lime sludge or biochar alone. Importantly, once these pellets bind all the phosphorus they can hold, they can be spread onto fields where the captured nutrient is slowly released over time. The team tested pellets in working field conditions for the first time Leveraging designer biochar’s many sustainable properties, the team tested pellets in working field conditions for the first time, monitoring phosphorus removal in Fulton County, Illinois, fields for two years. Like the majority of Midwestern corn and soybean fields, the experimental fields were fitted with subsurface drainage pipes. This drainage water flowed through phosphorus removal structures filled with designer biochar pellets of two different sizes. The team tested 2-3 centimeter biochar pellets during the first year of the experiment, then replaced them with 1 cm pellets for the second year. Both pellet sizes removed phosphorus, but the 1-centimeter pellets performed much better, reaching 38 to 41% phosphorus removal efficiency, compared with 1.3 to 12% efficiency for the larger pellets. The result was not a surprise for study co-author Wei Zheng, who said smaller particle sizes allow more contact time for phosphorus to stick on designer biochar. Zheng, a principal research scientist at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC), part of the Prairie Research Institute at U. of I., has done previous laboratory studies showing a powdered form of designer biochar is highly efficient for phosphorus removal. But powdered materials wouldn’t work in the field. Smaller particle sizes allow more contact time for phosphorus to stick on designer biochar “If we put powder-form biochar in the field, it would easily wash away,” Zhou said. “This is why we have to make pellets. We have to sacrifice some efficiency to ensure the system will work under field conditions.” After showing the pellets are effective in real-world scenarios, the research team performed techno-economic and life-cycle analyses to evaluate the economic breakdown for farmers and the overall sustainability of the system. The cost to produce designer biochar pellets was estimated at $413 per ton, less than half the market cost of alternatives such as granular activated carbon ($800-$2,500 per ton). The team also estimated the total cost of phosphorus removal using the system, arriving at an average cost of $359 per kilogram removed. This figure varied according to inflation and depending on the frequency of replacing pellets — two years appeared to be the most cost-effective scenario. The life cycle analysis showed the system — including returning spent biochar pellets to crop fields and avoiding additional phosphorus and other inputs — could save 12 to 200 kilograms of carbon dioxide-equivalent per kilogram of phosphorus removed. Zhou says the benefits go beyond nutrient loss reduction and carbon sequestration to include energy production, reduction of eutrophication, and improving soils. “At the moment, there’s no regulation that requires farmers to remove phosphorus from drainage water. But we know there are many conservation conscious farmers who want to reduce nitrate and phosphorus losses from their fields,” said co-author Rabin Bhattarai, associate professor in ABE. “If they’re already installing a woodchip bioreactor to remove nitrate, all they’d have to do is add the pellets to the control structure to remove the phosphorus at the same time. And there’s something very attractive about being able to reuse the pellets on the fields.” The study, “Exploring the engineering-scale potential of designer biochar pellets for phosphorus loss reduction from tile-drained agroecosystems,” is published in Water Research [DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122500]. The research was supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [grant no. 84008801] and the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council [grant no. 2019–4–360232]. This work earned Zhou first place (Ph.D. category) in the prestigious 2024 Boyd-Scott Graduate Research Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. He is now a postdoctoral research associate in ISTC. Zheng is also an adjunct faculty in ABE. Journal Water Research DOI 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122500 To read the original article click here.

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Can an Ancient Farming Method Improve Sustainability?

The AHA! Team — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:14:38 +0000

John Jeffay via Israel21c – Researchers say plot-and-berm method could address current challenges of water scarcity and food insecurity, especially in arid areas. An ancient farming method that made the deserts of the Middle East bloom 1,000 years ago should be revived today, say experts in Israel. The “plot-and-berm” system, developed in the early Islamic period along the Mediterranean coast, used innovative water-harvesting and soil-enrichment technologies to grow vegetables, watermelons, dates, and grapes. Plots were dug in places where the water table was high, and farmers added urban waste to the sand to improve its fertility. Berms were the sand barriers built to stop the sand/waste mix from being blown away by wind or washed away by water. Experts at Bar-Ilan University, University of Haifa and the Israel Antiquities Authority say an updated form of plot-and-berm could work effectively as a sustainable, modern-day alternative to existing forms of agriculture in hot, sandy parts of the world. They’ve been studying what they call SGHAS (traditional sunken groundwater-harvesting agroecosystems) in sandy areas of Israel, Iran, Egypt, Algeria, Gaza and the Atlantic coast of Iberia. They used a combination of geospatial analysis, archeological findings, and historical documentation. Their conclusion is that this early Islamic farming method was way ahead of its time in terms of agricultural knowhow. But plot-and-berms were largely abandoned after the 12th century Crusader conquest. The method was adopted elsewhere, in the Middle Ages and again in the early 20th century, but not in Israel or many other parts of the region. The research team says plot-and-berm has much to offer and neatly addresses current challenges of water scarcity and food insecurity, especially in arid areas. “The reappearance in the Middle Ages … and early 20th century in Iberia suggests that this type of agriculture is adaptable to varying economic and cultural settings and therefore may possess potential for certain, current socio-agronomic scenarios,” said Prof. Joel Roskin from Bar-Ilan’s Department of Environment, Planning and Sustainability. His team’s research on plot-and-berms, which was funded by the Israel Science Foundation, has been published in the journal Environmental Archaeology, entitled “Character and Evolution of Sunken Groundwater-Harvesting Agroecosystems in Aeolian Sand since Early Islamic Times, between Iran and Iberia.” The paper explains how modern agriculture often relies on intensive water usage and practices that deplete soil quality, while traditional systems like plot-and-berm are low-impact and more sustainable. Farmers living in hot, dry and sandy conditions between the ninth and 12th centuries made the most of the limited assets they had — shallow groundwater and a ready supply of organic waste from nearby towns and cities. To read the original article click here.

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Antimicrobial Resistance Is Drastically Rising

AHA Publisher — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 02:16:08 +0000

ETH Zurich via Science Daily – Researchers have shown that antimicrobial-resistant infections are rapidly increasing in animals in low- and middle-income countries. They produced the first global of resistance rates, and identified regions where interventions are urgently needed. To read the original article and learn more about this rising antimicrobial resistance problem, click here.

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