Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Aurup Ratan Dhar, Azusa Oita, Kazuyo Matsubae
Summary: Loss of reactive nitrogen in the agro-food system causes environmental degradation and health risks. This study evaluates the food nitrogen footprint of the Indian Subcontinent (ISC) and proposes reduction scenarios. Results show that improving crop cultivation's nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and altering diets can reduce the nitrogen footprint.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Laura Garcia-Herrero, Davide Gibin, Mattia Damiani, Esther Sanye-Mengual, Serenella Sala
Summary: Food consumption is a major contributor to global water consumption and its environmental impact. This study compares the volumetric blue water footprint assessment (WFA), a pressure method, with the scarcity-weighted WF AWARE model, an impact method, to evaluate the water footprint of food consumption in the EU27. The results show that almonds and cashew have the highest pressure and impact in both methods. EU food consumption has a water footprint pressure of approximately 54 m3/capita/year and an impact of approximately 3525 m3 eq/capita/year under an aligned scope. Considering the full supply chain, the water footprint impact increases by 30%, with wine and chocolate being the top contributors. Integration of WFA data into life cycle assessment (LCA) inventory could be explored for a more comprehensive analysis.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Business
Abdulrasheed Zakari, Jurij Toplak
Summary: The study reveals a link between high power distance, individualism, long-term orientation, and indulgence with reduced ecological footprints, while ethnic diversity and religion are associated with negative ecological footprints. Masculinity and uncertainty avoidance are linked to an improvement in ecological footprints.
TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Zucchinelli, Rosangela Spinelli, Sara Corrado, Lucrezia Lamastra
Summary: A deep understanding of the water-food nexus is crucial for sustainable development, and different dietary patterns have varying impacts on water footprint and water scarcity footprint, with vegetarian and vegan diets showing significant reductions in water consumption. Dietary decisions play a critical role in water resource usage and sustainability.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Marta M. Maciel, Tiago R. Correia, Mariana Henriques, Joao F. Mano
Summary: The modulation of cell response in tissue engineering is challenging, but the potential of microparticles in controlling cellular response has been overlooked. However, microparticles designed with biophysical and biochemical cues can effectively modulate cell response.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yanling Long, Runzhi Hu, Tuo Yin, Pengxiang Wang, Jiamin Liu, Tahir Muhammad, Xiuzhi Chen, Yunkai Li
Summary: The study reveals that the multiple footprints of household food consumption have decreased to varying degrees, with Guizhou province showing the highest footprints, which negatively impacts sustainable development. Nutrient intake, household attributes, educational level, and health conditions are significantly correlated to multiple footprints.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fawze Alnadari, Aisha Almakas, El-Sayed M. Desoky, Yasir A. Nasereldin, Salah Alden Alklaf, Ahmed S. Elrys
Summary: This paper is the first to compute the NF and PF in Yemen using an adjusted model of N-Calculator. The study found that NF and PF have been gradually increasing since the 1960s, potentially impacting the future development of Yemen.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Monica Di Donato, Oscar Carpintero
Summary: The study discusses how increasing population challenges the global food system in terms of productivity and environmental pressures. It emphasizes the importance of innovative approaches to support effective policy efforts. By using household metabolism approach, the study illustrates the environmental pressures derived from household food consumption, especially during the 2008 crisis in Spanish regions. The study also highlights the impact of economic crisis on food consumption patterns and environmental performance, showing how it can drive change towards better sustainability.
Article
Neurosciences
Fei-Yang Huang, Fabian Grabenhorst
Summary: Reinforcement learning models fail to explain how reward values are constructed from biologically critical intrinsic reward components. This study found that animals' preferences for specific nutrients influenced their ability to adapt to varying reward probabilities and the influence of recent rewards on choices, especially if these rewards contained their preferred nutrients.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Hatjiathanassiadou, Camila Valdejane Silva de Souza, Diogo Vale, Natalie Marinho Dantas, Yasmim Bezerra Batista, Dirce Maria Lobo Marchioni, Severina Carla Vieira Cunha Lima, Clelia de Oliveira Lyra, Priscilla Moura Rolim, Larissa Mont'Alverne Juca Seabra
Summary: This study estimated the dietary carbon, water, and ecological footprints of residents in the city of Natal, Brazil, and found their associations with socioeconomic factors and food purchase practices. The results showed that individuals with higher footprints were more likely to be male, white, and have higher income and education. They also consumed more fast food, had more meals at snack bars, and used food delivery services more often. Beef and chicken contributed the most to carbon and water footprints, while fish and beef contributed the most to the ecological footprint.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rianne Eleonore Stelwagen, Petronella Margaretha Slegers, Liesbeth de Schutter, Eveline S. van Leeuwen
Summary: This study evaluates the environmental impact of consumer activities at the end of the food system through a novel bottom-up approach. The research finds that last-mile movements of consumers account for 5.3-5.8% of the total global warming potential of the food system. Additionally, differences in transport modes used by households in different city districts result in varying last-mile impacts.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tasnuva Mahjabin, Alfonso Mejia, Caitlin Grady
Summary: Analyzing virtual nitrogen and virtual water networks in the internal food trade of the United States reveals significant variations in nitrogen and water footprints between states for meat/seafood and cereal grain products, as well as a linear relationship between uncertainty estimation and commodity trade sampling errors. Additionally, virtual nitrogen transfers among states were found to predominantly occur from states with high nutrient-related impairments to those with lower rates of impairments, suggesting implications for eutrophication and water use management across the country.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
J. Yi, P. W. Gerbens-Leenes, P. Guzman-Luna
Summary: Chinese food consumption is shifting towards increased milk consumption, with modern industrial systems relying on cropland feed. This study analyzes the water footprint (WF), land footprint (LF), and carbon footprint (CF) of different dairy systems. It finds that industrial systems dominate milk production, relying on irrigation and limited cropland availability. If milk consumption triples due to nutritional advice, China may need to import feed or milk to meet demand. However, the availability of such quantities on the global market is uncertain.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiuzhi Chen, Yue Hou, Thomas Kastner, Liu Liu, Yuqian Zhang, Tuo Yin, Mo Li, Arunima Malik, Mengyu Li, Kelly R. Thorp, Siqi Han, Yaoze Liu, Tahir Muhammad, Jianguo Liu, Yunkai Li
Summary: This study identifies and quantifies the flows of physical and virtual nutrients within the global agricultural trade network. The study shows that these flows have varying effects on natural resources in different countries. The findings suggest that reducing inefficient trade flows can enhance resource conservation and environmental sustainability. These results are important for understanding the global nutrient dynamics and improving nutrient use efficiency in a hyper-globalized world.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alessia Cavaliere, Elisa De Marchi, Enrica Nadia Frola, Alessandro Benfenati, Giacomo Aletti, Jacopo Bacenetti, Alessandro Banterle
Summary: This study estimates the environmental impact of different diets and explores how changes in the diet composition can reduce Carbon Footprint and Ecological Footprint, while ensuring nutritional adequacy, cultural acceptability, and economic affordability. Focusing on Italy, the study develops a Sustainable Diet Model to examine the environmental impact. The results suggest that reducing diet-related environmental impact can be achieved without excluding animal-based products and provide insights for promoting sustainable food consumption and achieving sustainability goals.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Junko Shindo, Azusa Oita, Kentaro Hayashi, Hideaki Shibata
Summary: Food nitrogen footprints for China in 2013 and Japan in 2011 were estimated using the top-down N-Input method, revealing China's higher footprint due to higher per capita protein intake compared to Japan. This method evaluates new nitrogen input for food production and the supply chain, highlighting methodological differences and the impact of protein intake on nitrogen footprints.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Athanasios Ragkos, Kentaro Hayashi, Joao Serra, Hideaki Shibata, Efstratios Michalis, Sadao Eguchi, Azusa Oita, Claudia Marques-dos-Santos Cordovil
Summary: Sustainable nitrogen management in agriculture requires coordinated efforts and holistic approaches. Stakeholders in Japan have differing views on nitrogen use and sustainability challenges. Further research is needed to address these issues and guide future policy design for more sustainable nitrogen use.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhengyang Zhang, Kazuyo Matsubae, Kenichi Nakajima
Summary: Remanufacturing extends product service life cycles and avoids material waste, potentially superior to material recycling. However, quantifying the effectiveness of remanufacturing is challenging due to the lack of indicators and tools designed for this task.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kentaro Hayashi, Hideaki Shibata, Azusa Oita, Kazuya Nishina, Akihiko Ito, Kiwamu Katagiri, Junko Shindo, Wilfried Winiwarter
Summary: The artificial fixation of reactive nitrogen has huge benefits but also poses substantial threats to human and ecosystem health. National N-budget approach helps grasp the whole picture of Nr loss, and the study in Japan shows decreasing trends in Nr loss to the environment, particularly in atmospheric emissions and terrestrial water loss. Future challenges lie in further reducing N waste and adapting N flows in international trade to adopt more sustainable options considering the reduced demand due to the aging population.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arunima Malik, Azusa Oita, Emily Shaw, Mengyu Li, Panittra Ninpanit, Vibhuti Nandel, Jun Lan, Manfred Lenzen
Summary: This study assesses the drivers of nitrogen emissions by analyzing six determinants. Nitrogen efficiency has improved, but affluence, final demand destination, and population growth have led to an overall increase in emissions. Food production coupled with growing international trade is the main cause of increased nitrogen emissions worldwide.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Azusa Oita, Kiwamu Katagiri, Tetsuya Eguchi, Ryoko Morioka, Junko Shindo, Kentaro Hayashi, Kazuyo Matsubae
Summary: Agro-food systems require nutrient input from various sources, but the loss of nutrients in supply chains poses a threat to human and ecosystem health. A novel NutrIO method is proposed to evaluate direct and indirect nutrient inputs throughout the supply chains, providing quantitative insights for improving nutrient use efficiency in agro-food supply chains.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jiarui Liu, Azusa Oita, Kentaro Hayashi, Kazuyo Matsubae
Summary: Vertical farming (VF) has lower environmental impact compared to conventional farming due to reduced nutrient requirements. This study evaluated the environmental impacts of VF in a case study of vegetable VF in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and quantified the potential reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus emissions. The results showed that VF can decrease nitrogen and phosphorus footprints and reduce dependence on imports.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Solange Ayuni Numfor, Yutaka Takahashi, Kazuyo Matsubae
Summary: The benefits of recycling end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) for resource recovery are well known. This study estimates the energy that could potentially be recovered from ELV recycling in Cameroon, aiming to address the energy crisis and reduce environmental pollution. The results indicate that ELV recycling has the potential to provide a source of energy and the state of the road transportation network plays a vital role in this process.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Aurup Ratan Dhar, Azusa Oita, Kazuyo Matsubae
Summary: Loss of reactive nitrogen in the agro-food system causes environmental degradation and health risks. This study evaluates the food nitrogen footprint of the Indian Subcontinent (ISC) and proposes reduction scenarios. Results show that improving crop cultivation's nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and altering diets can reduce the nitrogen footprint.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dheanara Pinka, Kazuyo Matsubae
Summary: In this study, a life-cycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the environmental impacts of pearl farming in Ago Bay, Mie Prefecture, Japan. The results showed that pearl production had lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to metals commonly used in jewelry production. Efforts are also being made to improve waste handling and reduce plastic waste, providing critical insights for achieving sustainable pearl farming.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Imam Eko Setiawan, Zhengyang Zhang, Glen Corder, Kazuyo Matsubae
Summary: Reclamation work on coal mined land in Indonesia involves emissions, but delivers significant economic value. Trees on the reclaimed land absorb CO2 emissions and produce a large amount of oxygen.