May 2005 Archive

UF study: gas prices and interest rates hurt consumer confidence

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s consumer confidence fell two points to 89 in May, reflecting concerns about high gas prices and rising interest rates, University of Florida economists report.

Filed under Research, Business, Florida on Tuesday, May 31, 2005.

Experts hope policy breathes life into asthma treatment method

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Battling a child’s asthma attack could be as simple as sliding a plastic tube onto the end of an inhaler, but many health-care providers don’t offer this option to parents, say University of Florida researchers, who are calling for change.

Filed under Research, Health on Tuesday, May 31, 2005.

Privacy and court records – Committee seeks public input

As anyone who has followed recent news stories knows, the Internet has created a major clash between fundamental democratic values of open government and personal privacy – a clash only enhanced by its capacity to make information in Miami instantly available in Tokyo.

Filed under Op-Eds on Tuesday, May 31, 2005.

Drug therapy eases symptoms in many Crohn’s disease Patients

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Nearly half the patients with an often debilitating form of inflammatory bowel disease saw their symptoms disappear within six weeks of starting a medication usually reserved for cancer patients, researchers report in today’s (May 26) issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Filed under Research, Health on Thursday, May 26, 2005.

UF expert cautions parents to be aware of child identity theft

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Identity theft is not just for adults. Offenses against children are on the rise, and a University of Florida consumer education expert says the problem can actually be worse for younger victims.

Filed under Research, Family on Wednesday, May 25, 2005.

New UF test could help third world farmers improve soil, fight global warming

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A process developed at the University of Florida will help Third World farmers keep nutrients in their soil and could eventually allow them to join the fight against global warming.

Filed under Research, Environment, Sciences on Tuesday, May 24, 2005.

Doctors miss depression diagnosis in many heart patients

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When it comes to heart disease, many patients are singing the blues — yet too few doctors recognize it, University of Florida researchers warn.

Filed under Research, Health, Gender on Monday, May 23, 2005.

Scripps Florida is About Science, not Real Estate

News that the Scripps Research Institute is devising a Florida exit strategy because of continued delays over construction of its Palm Beach County headquarters should be a wakeup call to Floridians concerned about the state’s growth and economic well-being.

Filed under Op-Eds on Monday, May 23, 2005.

Carbon dioxide mosquito traps no magic bullet, say UF experts

VERO BEACH, Fla. — With spring rains promising a bumper crop of mosquitoes, some Floridians may consider buying expensive high-tech traps that use carbon dioxide to lure the bloodsuckers. But University of Florida experts warn that buyers who don’t do their homework could still get bitten – in the pocketbook.

Filed under Research, Environment, Florida on Thursday, May 19, 2005.

Fibromyalgia patients may benefit from cough remedy, UF study finds

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Dextromethorphan, an over-the-counter medication that silences coughs, may help fibromyalgia patients quiet over-reacting nerves that amplify ordinary touches into agony.

Filed under Research, Health on Thursday, May 19, 2005.