04

Prenatal Cocaine Exposure Exerts Subtle Effects On Schoolchildren

Published: April 28 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Children exposed to cocaine before birth show subtle but discernible differences in their ability to plan and problem-solve once they reach school age, University of Florida researchers report.

University Of Florida Students Build Smaller, Smarter Heart Pump

Published: April 28 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A miniaturized heart pump designed by a team of University of Florida engineering students could become a life-saving alternative for patients waiting in long lines for scarce donor hearts.

UF Study: Fears About U.S. Economy Sinks Florida Consumer Confidence

Published: April 26 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s consumer confidence fell two points to 90 in April, its lowest level in 20 months, reflecting concerns about higher gas prices and interest rates, and a declining stock market, University of Florida economists report.

Invasive Moth From Tropics Threatens Cactus Plants In U.S.

Published: April 26 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a prime example of how Florida is becoming a haven for exotic pests, a South American moth is attacking valuable ornamental cactus plants used in landscaping and could be a threat to the nation’s $70 million cactus industry.

Invasive mussel gains foothold on Florida's east coast

Published: April 21 2005

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Boaters and bathers along northeast Florida beaches this summer may notice a new and unwelcome addition — an invasive mussel that already plagues the state's Gulf coast where it’s killing native shellfish and covering manmade objects.

UF Study: Counselors' Gender Not Key In Encouraging Affair Divulging

Published: April 21 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Male therapists are just as likely as female therapists to encourage patients to admit infidelities to their spouses, a new University of Florida study finds.

Invasive mussel gains foothold on Florida’s east coast

Published: April 21 2005

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Boaters and bathers along northeast Florida beaches this summer may notice a new and unwelcome addition — an invasive mussel that already plagues the state’s Gulf coast where it’s killing native shellfish and covering manmade objects.

UF Establishes Nation's First Center For The Study Of Hindu Traditions

Published: April 20 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — To encourage the research, teaching and public understanding of Hindu culture, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida has established the nation's first Center for the Study of Hindu Traditions. The only other center of its kind in the world is Oxford University’s Centre for Hindu Studies, with which UF will have collaborations.

UF Researchers Say New, Bigger Low-Carb Potato With Different Taste Will Give Consumers More Choices

Published: April 20 2005

HASTINGS, Fla. — Following the January debut of the first low-carb potato that’s now a popular item in supermarkets, University of Florida researchers say a larger and tastier version of the spud will be available to consumers in May of this year.

Genes Influence How Heart Failure Patients Respond To Drugs

Published: April 19 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Genes dictate the color of our hair and eyes. They factor into whether we get cancer or heart disease. And, scientists increasingly recognize, they also ensure some patients will benefit from a prescription drug, while others develop adverse reactions or simply fail to respond at all.

UF Study: Latino Groups Face Different Prospects For Health In U.S.

Published: April 18 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Health deteriorates for Mexican immigrants after they become Americanized, but it improves for Puerto Ricans — and some Cubans and Dominicans — the longer they remain in the United States, a new University of Florida study finds.

New UF/IFAS economic study: forestry is now biggest segment of Florida agriculture

Published: April 14 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a new study that reveals the changing face of Florida agriculture, University of Florida researchers say the forestry industry now has the biggest economic impact on the state – eclipsing citrus, vegetables and ornamentals in terms of output.

Encyclopedia Of Religion And Nature Gives New Insight Into Field

Published: April 13 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — What do surfing, fly fishing and theme parks have in common? Each can be a form of nature-inspired religion, and they represent just a few of the 1,000 entries in the Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature.

Parents can get help teaching kids financial responsibility

Published: April 13 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — April is Financial Literacy for Youth Month and with credit-card debt at staggering levels among college students, University of Florida experts say childhood training in money management has never been more important.

UF Study: Incarcerated Male Adolescents Suffer Ill Effects From Abuse

Published: April 12 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Sexually abused teenage boys in jail are just as likely as their female counterparts to suffer from depression, a University of Florida study finds.

Interim dean of the college of fine arts chosen for 2005-06

Published: April 11 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s College of Fine Arts will have a new interim dean for the 2005-06 academic year, effective July 1.

Cellular Communications Breakdown Identified In Inherited Brain Disorder

Published: April 11 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A breakdown in brain cell communication may contribute to the most common biochemical cause of mental retardation, University of Florida scientists have discovered.

Brian Beach named special assistant to UF president

Published: April 8 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Brian Beach has been named special assistant to the president, University of Florida President J. Bernard Machen announced today.

Double trouble: UF/IFAS researchers find another termite in South Florida as destructive as Formosan ‘super termite’

Published: April 8 2005

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Another highly destructive termite – a close relative of the Formosan “super termite” that’s gnawing its way across many Southern states – has become established in South Florida, according to University of Florida researchers.

Snapshot

Published: April 7 2005

Reading Coaches Benefit Teacher Success In Florida High Schools

Published: April 7 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As standardized tests show that many high school students lack crucial reading skills, a University of Florida study finds that hiring reading coaches for their teachers may actually help the students in the long run.

Autistic Kids Benefit From Dads' Involvement

Published: April 6 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Make room for daddy, say University of Florida autism experts. Teaching fathers how to communicate and play with their autistic children pays dividends, for parents and kids alike.

Snapshot

Published: April 6 2005

UF Study: Similar Species Can Show Different Rates Of Genetic Mutation

Published: April 6 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Even closely related species may have different rates of natural genetic mutation, according to a new University of Florida study.

Snapshot

Published: April 5 2005

New UF/IFAS study shows double-digit increases for most Florida farmland values

Published: April 4 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The value of agricultural land continued to increase in all areas of the state last year, buoyed by a population boom and strong nonagricultural demand for land, according to a new University of Florida survey.

Curbing alcohol abuse on campus

Published: April 17 2005

In my 15 months as president of the University of Florida, my hardest days have been those when I’ve learned of a student’s death or serious injury.