Used to denote articles or papers published for faculty research.
A matrix approach to visually communicate simultaneously the environmental and health impacts of foods
Key Words: environmental sustainability • human health • food groups • relative risk • health index
The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition and co-authored by West Point faculty member Andrew Berardy, introduces a visual matrix designed to simultaneously communicate the environmental and health impacts of 30 commonly consumed food groups in the United States. Researchers aggregated data on carbon footprints and relative disease risks to categorize foods, demonstrating that plant-based, less-processed options generally offer favorable health benefits and lower carbon footprints compared to animal-based and highly processed alternatives. By intuitively highlighting the tradeoffs of various dietary choices, this matrix provides a practical tool for quickly evaluating sustainability and health outcomes. Ultimately, this accessible framework encourages more informed decision-making among consumers, policymakers, and health professionals to improve both human and planetary health.
To cite this article: Berardy, A., Fresán, U., Abbaspour, N., & Sabaté, J. (2025). A matrix approach to visually communicate simultaneously the environmental and health impacts of foods. Frontiers in Nutrition (Lausanne), 12, 1572297. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1572297
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Design and ground testing of a Zero-Discharge plant growth system for microgravity Applications
Key Words: Microgravity • Space agriculture • Automated fertigation • Re-planting • Water Use Efficiency • Mizuna • Moisture sensors
The study, published in Computers and Electronics in Agriculture and co-authored by West Point faculty member Sarah Schreck, details the design and ground testing of the Utah Reusable Root Module (URRM) system developed for space-based agriculture within NASA’s Ohalo III Crop Production System. Researchers engineered a zero-discharge, automated fertigation framework equipped with redundant soil moisture sensors and innovative top cover containment designs to manage water, nutrients, and gas distribution in a microgravity environment. Preliminary ground tests utilizing Mizuna demonstrated that the system reliably maintained target soil moisture ranges and uniform resource distribution without manual intervention, successfully yielding over 1 kg of fresh edible biomass. These findings highlight the URRM’s capacity to support semi-autonomous, high-efficiency crop production across continuous cycles, significantly strengthening the feasibility of life-support systems for long-duration human space exploration.
To cite this article: Garrido-Ruiz, C., González-Teruel, J. D., Dixon, C., Schreck, S., Bingham, C., Winward, T., Hutchings, R., Bingham, G. E., Bugbee, B., & Jones, S. B. (2025). Design and ground testing of a Zero-Discharge plant growth system for microgravity Applications. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 239, Article 111044. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01429
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Heat and mortality in a semi-arid city: A multi-scalar analysis of the impacts of temperature in Denver, Colorado
Key Words: Extreme heat • Temperature-mortality relationships • Heat wave effect • Generalized additive model • Mortality
The study, published in Urban Climate and authored by Elizabeth Dzwonczyk and researchers from the University of Colorado Denver, investigates the temperature-mortality relationship in a semi-arid urban environment over a 30-year period. Utilizing generalized additive models across citywide, census tract, and block group scales, the research demonstrates that 5-day rolling averages of daily maximum surface air temperature offer the most robust predictor of heat-related mortality. These findings identify a modest but consistent heat wave effect and provide localized predictive maps that show risk patterns diverging from conventional socioeconomic vulnerability indicators. Ultimately, this multi-scalar framework offers a replicable approach for other semi-arid metropolitan areas to design targeted, equity-driven public health interventions and neighborhood-level adaptation strategies.
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Network-centric US military intelligence strategy for Africa’s evolving geopolitical landscape
Key Words: Military intelligence • Africa • United States • United States • network-centric
The study, published in the African Security Review and co-authored by West Point geography faculty member John Melkon, examines the growing geopolitical competition in Africa, specifically focusing on expanding Chinese influence. The authors advocate for a network-centric approach to U.S. Military Intelligence (USMI), emphasizing the critical integration of human intelligence (HUMINT) and the establishment of strategic partnerships with African intelligence services. By applying social network theory, the research outlines strategies to engage key influential nodes within these local communities, which maximizes information flow and counters adversarial disinformation. These findings highlight the necessity of joint intelligence centers, staff exchanges, and revitalized regional expertise, expanding the U.S. framework for maintaining strategic partnerships and regional stability in an era of great power competition.
To cite this article: John Melkon, Brock A. Salgado & Dries Putter (03 Aug 2025): Network-centric US military intelligence strategy for Africa’s evolving geopolitical landscape, African Security Review, DOI: 10.1080/10246029.2025.2528706
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Sounds of Atlantic sturgeon spawning: first description and opportunities for riverine endangered species conservation with passive acoustic monitoring
Key Words: Bioacoustics • Anadromous fish • Spawning aggregation • Fisheries management • Acipenser oxyrinchus
The study, published in Endangered Species Research and co‑authored by Environmental Science Program faculty member Dr. Patrick Baker, provides the first confirmed description of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) spawning sounds in the Hudson River. Researchers identified a distinctive 44 Hz low‑frequency signal that reliably aligned with telemetry‑tagged adults during spawning periods, with captive recordings validating the same acoustic cue. These findings highlight passive acoustic monitoring as a powerful, non‑invasive tool for detecting spawning aggregations, tracking habitat use, and improving conservation strategies for this endangered species. By establishing a new biological indicator, the study expands the role of bioacoustics in freshwater fisheries management and endangered species recovery.
To cite this article: Cohen R, Baker PJ, Bowser C, Breece MW, Flecker A, Fox D, Henne J, Higgs A, Niemistö M, Pendleton R, Sethi SA, White SL, Rice A. 2025. Sounds of Atlantic sturgeon spawning: first description and opportunities for riverine endangered species conservation with passive acoustic monitoring. Endanger Species Res. 14(2):127–135. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01429
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