Promoting STEM education, enabling access to farming, and more in this week's Fresh from the Field

Fresh salmon and eggs

It’s a mystery that has puzzled University of Maine assistant professor of marine biology and aquaculture Heather Hamlin and the salmon farming industry in New England: the decline in egg survival. The survival rate of fertilized salmon eggs had been as high as 80 percent. Beginning in 2000, salmon embryos began dying in large numbers and the average survival rate fell to 50 percent.

Now a study has found that two hormones may play significant roles in achieving an 80 percent embryo survival rate.

This research was funded by NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

Read more about salmon fertility at University of Maine. Image provided by USDA.

Salton Sea dust and your health

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside investigating the composition of particulate matter (PM) and its sources at the Salton Sea have found that this shrinking lake in Southern California is exposing large areas of dry lakebed, called playa, that are acting as new dust sources with the potential to impact human health.

“Playas have a high potential to act as dust sources because playa surfaces often lack vegetation,” said Roya Bahreini, an associate professor of environmental sciences, who led the research project. “Dust emissions from playas increase airborne PM mass, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and mortality.”

The research was funded by NIFA’s Hatch program.

Read the full story. Image provided by NASA.

Kids, cash, and snacks

How do children decide to spend their money on snacks? A new study looked at the factors that inform which foods they chose to buy. For some children, higher prices for unhealthy snacks might encourage healthier choices.

Researchers Monika Hartmann from the University of Bonn and Sean Cash from Tufts University studied how children ages 8 to 11 used their own disposable income, usually an allowance from a parent, to purchase snack food. The researchers presented the children with several snack options -- cookies, apple slices, and tubes of yogurt -- priced between 30 and 70 cents. The children choose cookies most often, with apple slices in second place. The study revealed that brand awareness was not a primary factor in snack food preferences. What did matter was the children’s experience with handling cash. Those who received a regular allowance were motivated by price, and those who didn’t regularly handle money did not use price as a deciding factor. The research suggests that experience with cash helps children learn what prices mean. Researchers call for more investigation of how price and presentation may be used as tools to combat childhood obesity and other chronic diseases.

This research was supported by NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

Read more at TuftsNow. Image provided by Aunica Brockel.

Michigan prepares youth for success

A U.S. Department of Education study found that only 16 percent of high school seniors are interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, education and math (STEM), despite the fact that STEM employment is far outpacing non-STEM job growth.

To address this shortfall, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is making science education a priority in its 4-H Youth Development programming. During the 2015-16 program year, Michigan 4-H youth explored science, engineering, and technology through 262,000 4-H experiences in fields such as biological sciences, environmental sciences, rocketry, mechanics, consumer sciences, renewable energy, computer sciences, robotics, animal sciences, and plant sciences.

Youth who participated in three hours or more of 4-H science programming showed significant increases in their attitudes and interest in science, as well as their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

Among youth surveyed, 91 percent reported they were excited about new discoveries; 90 percent said they use information to make decisions, and 90 percent indicated they liked science.

The research also revealed that Michigan 4-H’ers are more likely to pursue STEM disciplines in post-secondary education. Of those who earned a bachelor’s degree, 45 percent of Michigan 4-H’ers graduated with a STEM degree, a rate 11 percent higher than the Michigan average

Read more on how MSU Extension prepares future generations for success. Image provided by MSU Extension.

Determined to farm

Three generations of the Beckman family have farmed the fields of northeastern Nebraska. However, that legacy almost ended for Eric Beckman in May 2007 when he rolled his pickup truck. The trauma he sustained included a high level spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down.

It was not long before NIFA’s AgrAbility program entered the picture. After being transferred to Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, Eric received a visit from a Colorado AgrAbility staff member, who explained how the program could help him. When he returned to Nebraska for additional rehabilitation in August 2007, Nebraska AgrAbility began working with Eric. He has now returned to farming full time thanks to modifications made to his farming equipment.

Watch Eric's story at American Heartland. Image provided by National AgrAbility project.