Research news from the Ecological Society of America
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In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, we’re exploring how Indigenous communities contribute to science, conservation, health research, and much more.
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 7-Sep-2025 01:11 ET (7-Sep-2025 05:11 GMT/UTC)
Rural Texans face significant barriers to health care that their urban counterparts do not. More than a quarter of the state’s 172 rural counties lack a hospital, and those with at least one hospital often struggle with a shortage of qualified health care personnel, such as nurses and first responders. To address these growing challenges, The University of Texas at Arlington introduced its new Mobile Simulation Lab on Friday. It’s the first in Texas dedicated solely to rural training.
Anthropologists with the University of Utah’s natural history museum uncover microscopic plant residues in bedrock metates, revealing insights into the diets and traditions of the West’s ancient Indigenous communities.
A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, published by Elsevier, accentuates the value of integrating Indigenous knowledge and community perspectives into health interventions. The research addresses challenges in defining healthy eating in a culturally specific context. The study emphasizes the importance of involving local voices to develop sustainable health solutions rooted in community worldviews and values. By tailoring health education to the Osage community's specific cultural food values and context, this initiative aims to strengthen food sovereignty while promoting well-being.
Author says groups working with Indigenous communities in Central America must have trusted partner, perseverance.
Coinciding with International School Meals Day (13 March), a new case study from one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements shows that introducing biodiversity - including often overlooked indigenous foods - into school lunches can offer benefits both for nutrition and cost-saving.