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Background Noise Jumbles Brain Circuits, UF Researchers Find

Published: September 30 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Background noises don’t just cover up conversation, they may actually scramble brain activity, a discovery that helps explain why even perfectly loud speech can be hard to understand in a noisy room, say University of Florida researchers writing in the current Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

UF Survey: Florida Consumer Confidence Little Changed By Hurricanes

Published: September 28 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Hurricanes did little this month to dampen consumer confidence among Floridians, which declined only slightly, University of Florida economists report.

UF Scientists Combine Experimental Therapies To Fight Gene Disorders

Published: September 23 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida scientists have combined stem cell therapy and gene therapy in a new strategy to correct inherited diseases, according to a study published this week in the online edition of the journal Hepatology.

UF experts available to comment on insect problems after hurricanes

Published: September 22 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — An increase in standing water following the massive rains that accompanied recent hurricanes have health officials worried that mosquito populations may blossom. The following University of Florida experts are available to comment about mosquitoes and the diseases they carry.

UF Researchers Find Frozen North May Accelerate Global Warming

Published: September 22 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Despite their sub-zero temperatures, ecosystems of the frozen north may actually accelerate global warming, University of Florida researchers have found.

El Niño May Bring Early End To Hurricane Season, But Little Help To Florida Farmers, UF Researcher Says

Published: September 21 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The El Niño phenomenon, which some forecasters say already has returned, could bring an early end to one of the toughest hurricane seasons in Florida’s history.

Updated list of UF sources available to discuss Ivan, Hurricane

Published: September 16 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In the wake of Hurricane Ivan’s assault on the Gulf Coast, the following University of Florida sources are available to speak to the news media about a variety of storm- and hurricane-related topics.

UF Researchers Caution Against Using Sunscreen-DEET Combinations

Published: September 14 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Products combining sunscreen and the bug repellent DEET can be convenient, but University of Florida researchers are suggesting manufacturers take a closer look at the formulations after new research in mice found the mixtures greatly boost absorption of the chemical through the skin.

Alpha-1 gene therapy safely tested in first three patients

Published: September 13 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A gene therapy to combat one of the most common hereditary disorders, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, appears safe in the first three patients to participate in a landmark clinical trial, University of Florida researchers have found.

UF Researchers Find Lack Of Physical Fitness Poses Weighty Problems For Heart Health

Published: September 7 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Women who are fat yet fit appear less likely to suffer heart attacks or die than those who are slender but slothful, University of Florida researchers report today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Individual gene changes in complex structure traced, proving Darwin theory

Published: September 2 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The protein that gave the Incredible Hulk his distinctive green hue has provided University of Florida researchers the tool they needed to demonstrate for the first time in nature an evolutionary theory that even its originator, Charles Darwin, found troubling.

UF audiologists sound alarm for awareness of motorcycle noise risk

Published: September 1 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When the band Steppenwolf sang of heavy metal thunder in “Born to be Wild,” their classic ode to the freewheeling biker lifestyle, they equated rocking out to the new electric music of their time with the ear-pounding experience of riding a motorcycle. The notion that loud music can damage hearing is common knowledge, but the noise produced by motorcycles can pose similar risk to riders, University of Florida hearing experts caution.

Disney exec named UF's new vp for university relations

Published: September 2 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Jane Adams, vice president for government relations for the Walt Disney World Co. in Orlando, has been named the University of Florida’s new vice president for university relations. She will assume her new position Oct. 1, according to UF officials.

Financial Problems In Hurricanes' Wake Similar To Those Of 9-11

Published: September 28 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In the wake of four deadly hurricanes, people in the hardest-hit areas face financial trauma that mirrors the economic devastation suffered nationally after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to a University of Florida law professor.

Saving candidate Kerry

Published: September 22 2004

This article was published in the Tampa Tribune on Sept. 22, 2004. By: Richard K. Scher Richard Scher is a political science professor at the University of Florida in Gainesville. An open letter to Candidate John Kerry: Mr. Kerry – your presidential campaign is in trouble. After leading President Bush in the polls, your numbers have headed south since the Republican convention. A recent Associated Press poll has Bush ahead, although still within the margin of error. More seriously, you have lost ground in every major demographic group except minorities, urban residents, and yellow-dog Democrats. If the election were held today, you would lose.

Scientists: burrowing owls use dung to "fish" for beetles

Published: September 1 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — An old adage says you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. But the burrowing owl has come up with another alternative: manure.

Published: September 14 2004

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Built to withstand winds of more the 140 miles per hour, the University of Florida’s “hurricane house” survived Hurricane Frances when the eye of the storm passed through St. Lucie County.