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Editor: Kelly Sprute Jan. 15, 2020
Making a Difference
 University of Illinois scientists, from left, Anna E. Arthur and Sylvia L. Crowder. Photo courtesy of L. Brian Stauffer.
Healthy Diet May Avert Nutritional Problems in Head, Neck Cancer Patients
At least 90% of head and neck cancer patients develop symptoms that affect their ability or desire to eat, because of either the tumor itself or the surgery or radiation used to treat it. These problems, called nutrition impact symptoms, have wide-ranging negative effects on patients’ physical and mental health and quality of life.
However, patients who eat foods high in antioxidants and other micronutrients prior to diagnosis may reduce their risks of developing chronic nutrition impact symptoms up to one year after being diagnosed with head or neck cancer, according to a recent study led by researchers at the University of Illinois. NIFA supported this research. Read the full University of Illinois article.
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Today, NIFA informed Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) applicants that for FY 2020, in accordance with General Provision 762 of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116-94), NIFA will be waiving the match requirement for recipients of grants under SCRI. This provision also applies to the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension (ECDRE) program. This means that no matching funds will be required of FY 2020 applicants or awardees, and applicants will not need to submit a waiver request with their application.
The deadline for SCRI full applications remains the same of March 13, 2020. NIFA still expects the ECDRE FY2020 Request For Applications to be published in the next few months.
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REEport Support Guidance
For support when using the REEport system, first refer to the instructions found in either of the REEport Guide for Project Directors or REEport Financial Report Manual. Both guides provide comprehensive instructions to complete any REEport task. If you get stuck at any point, reach out to NIFA at electronic@usda.gov. In your message be sure to reference the instructions, indicating specifically where the process is breaking down for you. Include screenshots and identifying project numbers where applicable, which enhances our ability to resolve your issue. For additional information about REEport visit NIFA’s REEport webpage.
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Webinar
NIFA’s POW-REEport Integration and Redesign Project
NIFA’s Working Group for Reporting will offer these webinars every other month or more frequently as needed. Our goal is to keep our community fully informed of the changes to NIFA’s reporting system, provide ample opportunities to ask questions, and gather feedback. We will be hosting an informational webinar Jan. 16, 2020 at 2 p.m. ET.
Don't Forget NIFA Awards Nominations Due
NIFA Partnership Awards Program
Nomination forms must be submitted by Feb. 12. Specific instructions and other information regarding this awards program are in the 2020 NIFA Partnership Awards Criteria. Nominations must be submitted via the NIFA Partnership Awards Nomination Form. All the award information and forms can be found on NIFA’s Partnership Award webpage.
NIFA Hall of Fame Awards
The NIFA Hall of Fame Nomination Form and NIFA Hall of Fame background and criteria are located on the NIFA website. Nominations must be emailed to Kimberly Whittet no later than Feb. 12. All the award information and forms can be found on NIFA’s Hall of Fame Awards webpage.
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University of Oklahoma Research Team Helps Weather-Weary Ag Industry
You don’t have to look far to find news, opinions and studies about our world’s changing climate and its effects on humans. But what is less accessible is how a changing climate impacts beef cattle production. A team of scientists and researchers from across the region set out to answer this and other questions during the Great Plains Grazing project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA hopes to use the research and findings of Basara, his student team and other researchers, to develop decision support tools to help farmers and ranchers learn more about climate effects, plan for and improve future operations, and continue to succeed in the industry. Read the full University of Oklahoma article.
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Hemp is Once Again Legal in the U.S. After a Rocky Road
Industrial hemp is legal again in the United States, after a rocky road over the last century. In this week's Agriculture USA, Stephanie Ho has a look at some of the history. Participants: Stephanie Ho. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. USDA Undersecretary Greg Ibach. Listen the USDA broadcast.
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NIFA Invests Over $11 Million in Data Sciences to Improve Resource Management in U.S. Agriculture
NIFA recently awarded 22 grants under the Food and Agriculture Cyberinformatics and Tools (FACT) Initiative designed to develop data-driven solutions for addressing complex problems facing U.S. agriculture. FACT focuses on data science to enable systems and communities to effectively utilize data, improve resource management, and integrate new technologies and approaches to further U.S. food and agriculture enterprises. Projects funded through FACT will work to examine the value of data for small and large farmers, agricultural and food industries, impact the agricultural supply chain, reduce food waste and loss, improve consumer health, environmental and natural resource management, and increase U.S. competitiveness These grants are part of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
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NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension that solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture. Keep informed about NIFA, USDA, our land-grant and non-land-grant university partners, and stakeholders with the NIFA Update. Read past issues online, sign up for email updates or follow us on Twitter @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAImpacts or LinkedIn @usda-nifa.
If you wish to submit a news item or information, send an email to NIFAUpdate.
USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer.
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