Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science News Archive

Research is making faba beans a better source of protein

Improved extraction processes could help meet growing global demand for sustainable plant-based sources.

Intense short-term drought is harder on grasslands than previously thought

Groundbreaking global study sheds new light on how the increasingly common drought pattern affects vital ecosystems.

Meet Erick Santos, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science

From Brazil to Alberta, forage agronomist is embracing all four seasons

Diet and exercise could pave the way for diabetes remission

Some people may be able to manage the disease without medications, say researchers building on promising results from a major U.K. study.

Convocation ‘23: Janine Soderstrom, MSc Animal Nutrition

From the farm to the lab, a passion for animal welfare leads to a career in animal nutrition

Could a pill cure diabetes? A U of A researcher is working on it

Innovative research is now on the cusp of human clinical trials thanks to a partnership providing vital funding.

The Campus Food Bank and Faculty of ALES team up to offer Campus Kitchen Sessions

The Campus Kitchen sessions are more than just learning how to cook; they are all about making great friendships.

Studies confirm an overlooked risk for cardiovascular disease

“Bad” cholesterol isn’t the only culprit linked with a higher likelihood of heart disease, U of A researchers find.

Researcher develops better ways to convert CO2 and biofuel byproducts into valuable chemicals

A pair of processes could add up to a win-win for industry and the environment.

Four U of A researchers elected 2023 Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Aminu Bello, Jason Acker, Carla Prado and Toshifumi Yokota received the prestigious honour within Canada’s academic community

Researchers to explore how Canada’s grasslands could store more carbon

Interdisciplinary team will use genomic tools to understand how grazing management influences carbon cycling and measure indicators of changing emissions in cattle and soil.

Leading researchers recognized by Royal Society of Canada

Seven U of A standouts are making an impact in diverse fields from biology and computer engineering to food science and visual culture.

New clubroot strains continue to emerge in Western Canada

Producers need to use a variety of management strategies to counter the evolving threat to crops, say researchers.

Low muscle mass could make people more vulnerable to COVID, study suggests

Research review highlights importance of looking at body composition when assessing patients’ risk.

Alumna Christina Osborne takes on a new role as director of animal care

As a graduate of the ALES animal sciences program, Christina Osborne is thrilled to return to her alma mater as the director of animal care, a role that draws upon two decades of work as a veterinarian and educator.

Researchers take a step forward in turning chicken feathers into water filters

Improved technology boosts potential for a low-cost, sustainable solution to the global problem of contaminated water.

Adding silicon to soil could help protect canola from clubroot

Treatment may also help crops weather drought and extreme heat, researchers find.

Eight simple ways to eat healthy without blowing your food budget

Beating inflation doesn’t have to mean sacrificing good nutrition, says expert.

‘A new way of doing research’: Indigenous communities and U of A allies partner to support family, women and children’s well-being

Six-year, $16-million project will look at outcomes of culturally appropriate programs supporting healthy pregnancy and families, childbirth and early development.

Promising probiotic for dairy cattle headed to marketplace

Product developed at U of A shown to promote reproductive health and protect against infections.

Dr. Field & Dr. Bell's APrON Study in the Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

Associations between maternal folate status and choline intake during pregnancy and neurodevelopment at 3–4 years of age in the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study

Awards and accolades: Winter 2023

Join us in celebrating some of the recent achievements of our students and faculty members.

Celebrating International Women's Day 2023

The stories and achievements of eight of the many women at the U of A whose work challenges the status quo.

Are some cows better at weathering climate change?

New research could help cattle — and beef producers — cope with more extreme ups and downs in temperature year-round.

New agronomy courses let students dig into the science of prairie farming

Field trips in central and southern Alberta take learners beyond the classroom to gain a career edge in a global marketplace.

Nutrition expert Carla Prado named 2022 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 honouree

From Brazil to Canada, Prado is defying the odds and finding new ways to bring her groundbreaking research to those who need it most

More awareness, education needed to better treat polycystic ovary syndrome

Survey shows many women may not be getting information and support they need for a condition that causes infertility and is linked with a host of health risks.

Food for focus: what to eat to make learning easier

The human body is “like a high-performance sports car” that needs the right fuel for optimal performance, says registered dietitian.

Let's Talk Teaching: Linda Gorim

Hear from Linda Gorim, a Western Grains Research Foundation Chair in Cropping Systems who believes in the power of experiential learning.

Awards and accolades: Summer 2022

Join us in celebrating some of the recent achievements of our students and faculty members.

Lime shows promise for controlling clubroot in canola crops

Spot-treating soil with the mineral could give farmers another option to stem the costly disease and improve soil health at the same time.

New Ag-Food Innovation Endowment Fund focused on supporting leading edge research

The fund will ensure innovations and emerging agricultural science will be adopted and incorporated into teaching and research programs for generations to come.

U of A programs in business, engineering take top place in Canada in new global ranking

High-demand programs in business administration, engineering, nursing and biological and agricultural sciences ranked in top three in Canada and top 50 worldwide.

Researchers aim to create new strains of wheat with built-in resistance to its biggest insect threat

There’s only one genetic defence to protect crops from wheat midge — but researchers are looking to change that.

Awards and accolades: June 2022

Join us in celebrating some of the recent achievements of our students and faculty members.

Dr. James Rude – In Memoriam

Newborn dairy calves fed probiotic were healthier in crucial first weeks, student research shows

Supplements containing beneficial gut bacteria from healthy cows could be a boon for dairy producers.

Combination of drugs for obesity and Type 2 diabetes may be more effective than a single therapy

Canadian and German researchers work together to identify personalized prescriptions for weight loss and blood glucose control, especially for kids.

Awards and accolades: April 2022

Join us in celebrating some of the recent achievements of our students and faculty members.

Awards and accolades: March 2022

Join us in celebrating some of the recent achievements of our alumni, students and faculty members.

Innovator Spotlight: Catherine Field

Catherine Field reminds us that students are partners in research and how previous solutions can be adapted to meet challenges across disciplines.

Grazing technique that mirrors natural patterns helps protect grasslands from drought

U of A research could help ranchers adapt to climate change and preserve vital ecosystems.

Grazing technique that mirrors natural patterns helps protect grasslands from drought

U of A research could help ranchers adapt to climate change and preserve vital ecosystems.

Animal-based protein recommended for people being treated for cancer

Getting at least two-thirds of protein intake from meat, fish and dairy helps people maintain muscle and tolerate treatments, say experts.

Awards and accolades: January 2022

Join us in celebrating some of the recent achievements of our students, staff and faculty.

Groundbreaking research could help ranchers optimize free-range grazing

U of A team will pinpoint genetic traits that could increase grazing efficiency while protecting pastures.

Researcher aims to buy more time for dairy calves to absorb vital antibodies

PhD candidate picks up where scientists left off 40 years ago, trying to solve problem of delayed immunity that affects nearly a third of calves worldwide.

‘Armchair rancher’ app could help beef producers make smart business decisions based on data

U of A researchers mix agriculture with AI to develop a tool that will help ranchers get ahead of trends in everything from weather to beef prices.

U of A graduates rank among most employable in the world

Strong partnerships with employers bolster university’s position among top 100 globally and top five in Canada, according to latest QS rankings.