02

UF Economists: Florida Consumer Confidence Surges To New Record High

Published: February 29 2000

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Consumer confidence in Florida soared in February to the highest point in the 16-year history of the index, despite rising gasoline prices and a falling stock market, University of Florida economists report.

UF Study: Anti-Cancer Drug May Be Safe For Long-Term Use

Published: February 29 2000

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers have taken the first step in making a frequently used anti-cancer drug safe for long-term use.

From chloroform to epidurals: New book by UF physician examines history of labor pain relief

Published: February 25 2000

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Is the pain of childbirth an ancient curse, a meaningful passage to the beginning of a new life or simply a bout of agony to be endured with a generous helping of anesthesia?

UF Researcher Develops New Strawberry Varieties

Published: February 24 2000

DOVER—Florida strawberry growers soon will have not one but two new varieties to choose from in planting their crops.

UF Study Points To Garbage, Recycling Trucks As Source Of Litter

Published: February 23 2000

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Residents in search of neighborhood litterbugs may need to look no further than the garbage and recycling trucks that pick up their garbage — as well as their own sloppy handling of household waste, according to a University of Florida study.

UF Researcher: P.E. Teachers And Coaches Can Make Sports Safer

Published: February 22 2000

GAINESVILLE — A 40-year-old North Carolina man attempts a back flip at a local YMCA at his instructor’s urging and winds up paralyzed.

Newfound Quasar Wins Title: “Most Distant In The Universe”

Published: February 18 2000

GAINESVILLE — If Guinness had a Book of Cosmic Records, a newly discovered quasar in the constellation Cetus would certainly deserve prominent mention. Scientific readings show “RD J030117+002025″ easily skates past the previous record holder as one of the earliest known structures ever to form in the universe.

UF Researcher Develops High Blood Pressure Drug Using Gene Therapy Technique

Published: February 16 2000

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—University of Florida researchers have used gene therapy techniques to develop a new heart drug that safely lowers high blood pressure in rats for up to a month with a single dose.

Use Fruit To Make Chocolate A Healthy Treat For Valentine’s Day

Published: February 11 2000

GAINESVILLE — Valentine’s Day is Monday, and stores are full of enticing treats friends and lovers can use to express their undying devotion. There are the traditional boxes of chocolate, not to mention other kinds of candy, cards, flowers and fruit.

To Save Rare Stingrays, UF Researcher Turns To Native Florida Species

Published: February 10 2000

GAINESVILLE — Only a few of the world’s stingrays venture into freshwater, and most are threatened by overfishing, pollution or both.

UF Study: Downtown Revitalizations Can Encourage Criminal Predators

Published: February 9 2000

GAINESVILLE — Letting the good times roll may get you rolled, mugged or worse, says a University of Florida study of crime and downtown entertainment districts.

UF Dental Researcher Develops Genetically Altered Bacteria Strain That May Fight Cavities For A Lifetime

Published: February 8 2000

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Fighting tooth decay could someday be as simple as using a mouth rinse, thanks to a University of Florida researcher who has genetically altered the bacterium known to cause tooth decay into a form that may permanently prevent the disease.

Test Provides Accurate, Noninvasive Method To Determine Fetal Lung Development, UF Researchers Find

Published: February 5 2000

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—When the protective, balloon-like membranes surrounding the fetus rupture weeks before the official due date, the fetus is threatened. Its lungs may be too immature to sustain life after birth, but staying in the womb puts it and its mother at risk of infection.

Manners Matter: Preparing Youth To Enter Tomorrow’s Workforce

Published: February 4 2000

MILTON, Fla.—Breathe a sigh of relief, Miss Manners, good etiquette is coming back into fashion.

Heat Can Help Maintain Muscle Mass In Immobilized Limbs, Study Shows

Published: February 1 2000

GAINESVILLE — Heat therapy can reduce the amount of muscle lost during limb immobilization, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Florida and Juntendo University in Japan.

UF Researcher's Work To Result In New, Lower Temperature Scale

Published: February 15 2000

GAINESVILLE — The blue numbers on the thermometer are about to extend to a new low, thanks to the work of a University of Florida researcher.