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UF launches one of the nation's first organic agriculture degree programs

Published: August 31 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With revenues from U.S. organic food sales climbing by almost 20 percent each year, the demand for skilled workers in this field is booming – and a new University of Florida academic program will help meet producers’ needs.

Famed Indian dancer Uma Dogra to perform at University of Florida

Published: August 31 2006

GAINESVILLE — In an effort to showcase Hindu culture in the Gainesville community, UF’s Center for the Study of Hindu Traditions (CHiTra) has invited renowned Indian dancer Uma Dogra to perform at 3 p.m. Sept. 9 in P.K. Yonge Auditorium. Admission is $20 for individuals, $50 for families and free for students with identification.

Scientists: wildlife corridors benefit plant biodiversity, native plants

Published: August 31 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Wildlife corridors appear to support not only wildlife but also plants —especially the oft-threatened native variety.

Harn Museum reopens galleries with seven new exhibitions

Published: August 30 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For the last three months, the original galleries of the Harn Museum of Art have been bare of art, filled instead with painters, wood refinishers and carpet installers. That all changes on Sept. 5 when the doors to the original galleries are reopened with seven new exhibitions celebrating a year of milestones for the 16-year-old museum.

Study shows link between morbid obesity, low IQ in toddlers

Published: August 30 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers have discovered a link between morbid obesity in toddlers and lower IQ scores, cognitive delays and brain lesions similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s disease patients, a new study shows.

Miami Herald: Dennis Jett

Published: August 29 2006

Baltimore Sun: Leslie Hendeles & Randy C. Hatton

Published: August 29 2006

$1.1 Million PepsiCo Foundation grant supports family health self-empowerment project at the University of Florida

Published: August 29 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A University of Florida pilot program to increase health-promoting behaviors and prevent and modify obesity in low-income and ethnic minority families recently received more than $1.1 million from the PepsiCo Foundation.

Consumer confidence in August dips to lowest level in 13 years

Published: August 29 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — High energy costs, volatility in the stock market and especially the housing slump are to blame for consumer confidence among Floridians plummeting 11 points to 76 in August, its lowest level in more than a decade, University of Florida economists report.

InsideUF: August 29, 2006

Published: August 28 2006

Update: Weekly

Published: August 28 2006

UF officials monitoring Tropical Storm Ernesto

Published: August 27 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University officials are monitoring the track of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

UF nursing student chosen as national geriatric scholar

Published: August 25 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Judy Campbell, a doctoral student from the University of Florida College of Nursing, has been chosen to receive a scholarship supporting the work of future leaders in geriatric nursing.

Recreational shoppers don’t just browse but spend more than others

Published: August 24 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Leisure shoppers are bullish on buying, says a University of Florida researcher whose study finds these recreational consumers are intensely involved in the sport of bargain hunting and creative purchasing.

UF botany student's scientific illustrations now on display at Fla. Museum

Published: August 24 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — "Illustrating the Wonders of Tropical
Biodiversity: A Biologist's Perspective" is on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History through Dec. 10. The 18 scientific illustrations by University of Florida Botany doctoral student Camila Pizano utilize pencil, pen and ink, and watercolors combined with color pencils.

UF landscape architecture students sweep state awards, reach out to community

Published: August 24 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Annual Design Awards Gala for the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects was all about students this year – University of Florida students to be exact.

UF medical students hold health fair for kids

Published: August 24 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It’s never too early to learn about proper health, and University of Florida medical students want to give local children a good start.

UF botany student’s scientific illustrations now on display at Fla. Museum

Published: August 24 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — “Illustrating the Wonders of TropicalBiodiversity: A Biologist’s Perspective” is on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History through Dec. 10. The 18 scientific illustrations by University of Florida Botany doctoral student Camila Pizano utilize pencil, pen and ink, and watercolors combined with color pencils.

UF introduces three new peanuts: Florida-07, York and McCloud

Published: August 23 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers are releasing three new peanut varieties – two of them named for former university administrators – that they hope will give a market-dominant Georgia peanut some hearty competition.

UF researchers to play key role in Burnham Institute’s Florida location

Published: August 23 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Diabetes, aging, genetics and cancer are the areas in which University of Florida researchers are most likely to work with their colleagues at the new Florida location of the Burnham Institute for Medical Research.

RTS to add Sunday service on nine bus routes

Published: August 23 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Starting Aug. 27, Regional Transit System will provide hourly service on nine new, city fixed routes from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Orlando Sentinel: Zina Evans

Published: August 22 2006

UF study: Contrasting teaching styles in U.S.-China classrooms may influence students’ learning preferences

Published: August 22 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Chinese children want to learn practical knowledge in an organized environment, while their American counterparts prefer a more imaginative school environment, a University of Florida study suggests.

UF tops half-billion mark in research funding for first time

Published: August 22 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida received a record $518.8 million in research funding in 2006, driven by cutting-edge biomedical research and a growing relationship with private industry.

Activist Al Sharpton starts speaker series at UF

Published: August 22 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Rev. Al Sharpton, a renowned civil rights leader and activist from New York City, will be the first speaker of the new semester for the ACCENT Speakers Bureau.

UF study shows how cigarette smoke blocks cell repair

Published: August 21 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Cigarette smoke can turn normal breast cells cancerous by blocking their ability to repair themselves, eventually triggering tumor development, University of Florida scientists report.

Update: Weekly

Published: August 21 2006

Astronomers: Dark, normal matter forced apart in massive collision

Published: August 21 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Dark matter and normal matter have been wrenched apart by the tremendous collision of two large clusters of galaxies, providing the strongest support yet for the existence of dark matter — the mysterious stuff said to comprise most of the universe yet only so far inferred based on its gravitational effect.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Lou Guillette

Published: August 20 2006

UF law professor earns top award from Taiwan government

Published: August 18 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In keeping with the University of Florida’s emphasis on global outreach, Levin College of Law Professor Dennis A. Calfee recently was awarded one of Taiwan’s most prestigious honors, the Public Finance Specialty Medal, for helping over the past 20 years to develop public finance in the Republic of China and train local tax officers to deal with international tax affairs.

New, free booklet can help you protect trees from storms

Published: August 17 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers have released a booklet that’s full of practical advice about how to protect your trees from storm damage – and what to do if they’re damaged despite your best efforts.

Healing potential discovered in everyday human brain cells

Published: August 16 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers have shown ordinary human brain cells may share the prized qualities of self-renewal and adaptability normally associated with stem cells.

UF receives $3 million from Florida rancher for eye disease research

Published: August 16 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Charlie Mack Overstreet may have trouble seeing straight ahead, but he wants to make sure he sees a bright future for those who share his struggle with macular degeneration. The Central Florida property owner and rancher recently contributed $3 million to efforts being made at the University of Florida in finding a cure for the common eye disease.

UF receives $100,000 to help celebrate, preserve freedom of information

Published: August 15 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Marion Brechner recently gave $100,000 to the University of Florida to help sustain the vision of her late husband Joseph, who fought for freedom of information as an Orlando TV executive.

UF experts help oyster processors use new technology to keep consumers, industry healthy

Published: August 15 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Eating raw oysters is getting safer, thanks to a new practice called post-harvest processing, or PHP, that virtually eliminates harmful Vibrio vulnificus bacteria from the shellfish, say University of Florida researchers.

It’s time to rethink the U.S. policy toward Cuba

Published: August 15 2006

For 47 years Fidel Castro has ruled Cuba. For 44 years through 10 U.S. administrations, Washington has pursued a diplomatic and economic embargo of Cuba designed to force Castro from office. For at least 40 years, critics have argued that U.S. policy is a failure. While the 80-year-old Cuban dictator may return to power, his end is in sight — and it is time to rethink our Cuba policy. What should U.S. policy be toward a post-Castro Cuba?

Reading readiness

Published: August 15 2006

Federal lawmakers, industry leaders to attend UF Energy Forum

Published: August 14 2006

“Florida’s Road to Energy Independence: The Promise of Alternative Fuels.” Forum about alternative energy production in Florida, with an emphasis on alternative fuels that could augment or replace gasoline and other fossil fuels.

Kids with OCD bullied more than others, study shows

Published: August 14 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Children with obsessive-compulsive disorder are three times more likely to be bullied than other children, and the name-slinging could cause symptoms of OCD to worsen, University of Florida researchers have found.

Machen, Meyer to address 36th annual Civic Club/UF Luncheon

Published: August 14 2006

The Joint Civic Club/University of Florida luncheon is one of the foremost annual events in Greater Gainesville/Alachua County community that celebrates the relationship UF has cultivated among its community and civic leaders, members and friends. The luncheon brings together all civic clubs and organizations. This year marks the event’s 36th year.

MIT's senior lawyer named VP and general counsel at UF

Published: August 10 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The head of the primary legal office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been named vice president and general counsel at the University of Florida, UF President Bernie Machen announced today.

Sixth annual Ask Me Campaign

Published: August 10 2006

The University of Florida divisions of Finance & Administration, Student Affairs, and Human Resources are sponsoring the sixth annual Ask Me Campaign Saturday August 19 – Thursday August 24, 2006.

Summer commencement ceremonies scheduled for Saturday

Published: August 10 2006

University of Florida summer commencement ceremonies

UF experts available to comment on fifth anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks

Published: August 10 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The following sources at the University of Florida are available to speak to the news media on a variety of topics related to the upcoming anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, as well as the war on terrorism and U.S. relations with Iraq.

MIT’s senior lawyer named VP and general counsel at UF

Published: August 10 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The head of the primary legal office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been named vice president and general counsel at the University of Florida, UF President Bernie Machen announced today.

UF security professionals win world’s largest "hacking" competition

Published: August 9 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Who better to help defend the University of Florida's information resources from hackers than award-winning security professionals?

Students with mental retardation make gains in the general classroom, UF study finds

Published: August 8 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Students with mental retardation are far more likely to be educated alongside typical students than they were 20 years ago, a University of Florida study has found.

UF psychologist helps patients put an end to restless nights

Published: August 8 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For 40 million Americans, a good night’s sleep is little more than an impossible dream. But there are a number of effective therapies for insomnia, and frequently the best treatments do not come in a pill, says Christina McCrae, a University of Florida assistant professor.

Former Ohio State dean to lead College of Veterinary Medicine

Published: August 8 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Glen F. Hoffsis, D.V.M., has been named dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida, UF administrators announced today.

Inaugural Florida Butterfly Festival to be held Oct. 14-15

Published: August 7 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — “Do you have a thing for wings?” Join the Florida Museum of Natural History along with community partners for the inaugural Florida Butterfly Festival Oct. 14-15.

Back to school means getting back to sleep

Published: August 7 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Determining the derivative of y times 23 to the 15th power is tough enough. Figuring it out on just a few hours of sleep could be almost impossible.

Palm deaths accelerating on Florida coast; likely cause is rising seas

Published: August 7 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Palm trees on Florida’s west coast appear to be dying more rapidly than in previous years because of sea level rise tied to global warming.

Update: Weekly

Published: August 7 2006

Scripps Howard News Service: Mark Fenster

Published: August 2 2006

Emergency engine

Published: August 2 2006

New system provides power, water, refrigeration from one source

Published: August 2 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When hurricanes, wars or other emergencies force authorities to respond, three essentials top their list of must-haves: water, electricity and refrigeration.

At an underwater volcano, evidence of man's environmental impact

Published: August 1 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Scientists studying hydrothermal vents, those underwater geysers that are home to bizarre geological structures and unique marine species, have discovered something all too familiar: pollution.

UF experts available to comment on Cuban situation

Published: August 1 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The following experts at the University of Florida are available today to speak to the news media about Fidel Castro’s transfer of power and the impact of his decision in Cuba and the United States:

Washington Times: Chris Burney

Published: August 29 2006

Wildlife ecology student Chris Burney was quoted in an Aug. 28 Washington Times (circ. 100,428) story about bat research.

Washington Post: William Carr

Published: August 5 2006

William Carr, a retired researcher for the University of Florida’s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, was quoted in an Aug. 5 Washington Post (circ. 732,872) story about new developments in fishing lures.

Wall Street Journal: Tom Spreen

Published: August 30 2006

Tom Spreen, chairman of UF’s food and resource economics department, was quoted in an Aug. 30 story in the Wall Street Journal (circ. 2.2 million) about Tropical Storm Ernesto’s expected effect on Florida’s citrus crop.

Wall Street Journal: C. John Sommerville

Published: August 4 2006

A review of a new book by history professor emeritus C. John Sommerville, “The Decline of the Secular University,” appeared in the Aug. 4 Wall Street Journal (circ. 2.1 million).

USA Today: Lars Noah

Published: August 23 2006

Law professor Lars Noah was quoted in an Aug. 23 USA Today (circ. 2.3 million) story about the rising number of lawsuits against the makers of a new type of drug.

USA Today: Jay Ritter

Published: August 2 2006

Finance professor Jay Ritter was quoted in an Aug. 2 USA Today (circ. 2.1 million) story about a downturn in the initial public stock offering picture.

UF names chief cardiothoracic surgeon

Published: August 30 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Dr. Curtis G. Tribble has been named vice chairman of the department of surgery and chief of its division of cardiothoracic surgery.

Students' photos to be exhibited

Published: August 30 2006

“The Meaning of Life: Photography by UF Honor’s Program Students,” will be on display in the Reitz Student Union Gallery, University of Florida campus, from Sept. 11 to Sept. 22.

St. Petersburg Times: Zina Evans

Published: August 30 2006

Admissions director Zina Evans was quoted in an Aug. 30 St. Petersburg Times (circ. 442,348) story about falling national SAT scores.

St. Petersburg Times: Ronald Carpenter

Published: August 22 2006

Classics professor Ronald Carpenter was quoted in an Aug. 22 St. Petersburg Times (circ. 442,348) story about the language President Bush uses to describe terrorists.

Reuters: Kurt Gurley

Published: August 24 2006

Kurt Gurley, an associate professor of civil engineering, was quoted in an Aug. 24 Reuters news service story about hurricane-proof houses. The quote was the result of a UF News Bureau tip sheet.

Reuters: Eric Storch

Published: August 1 2006

Eric Storch, an assistant professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, was quoted in an Aug. 1 Reuters news service story about his study showing that overweight children who are victims of bullying are less likely to engage in physical activity.

Orlando Sentinel: David Colburn

Published: August 22 2006

An opinion piece by history professor David Colburn about Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher ran Aug. 22 in the Orlando Sentinel (circ. 391,145)

NPR: Maxine Margolis

Published: August 21 2006

Anthropologist Maxine Margolis was interviewed for an Aug. 21 National Public Radio story about growing ties between Brazilians of African descent and African-Americans.

New York Times: UF's role as a research partner

Published: August 24 2006

UF’s role as a research partner with the Burnham Institute for Medical Research’s new Florida location was the subject of several stories Aug. 24, including the New York Times (circ. 1 1 million) the Associated Press and the Orlando Sentinel (circ. 391,145) See related news release.

New York Times: Roger Reep

Published: August 29 2006

Neuroscientist Roger Reep’s research on manatees was the focus of a Aug. 29 story in the New York Times (circ. 1.1 million) See related news release.

New York Times: Harry Crews

Published: August 22 2006

A story about the newest book by retired English professor Harry Crews ran Aug. 22 in the New York Times (circ. 1.1 million).

New York Times: Dolores Albarracín

Published: August 6 2006

Psychologist Dolores Albarracín Aug. 6 was quoted in an Aug. 6 New York Times magazine article about AIDS treatment in South Africa.

Miami Herald: Chris McCarty

Published: August 30 2006

Survey director Chris McCarty was quoted in Aug. 30 stories in the Miami Herald(circ. 444,119), the St. Petersburg Times (circ. 442,348) and Florida Today about the August consumer confidence report. The stories were the result of a news release.

Consumer confidence crashes

Published: August 29 2006

Consumers in Florida have become so pessimistic about the economy and their own finances that consumer confidence in August fell to its lowest level in thirteen years.

Changing the Face of Medicine

Published: August 28 2006

The Health Science Center Libraries invite all interested faculty, staff and students to the Aug. 30 opening of “Changing the Face of Medicine,” a special exhibition from the National Library of Medicine.

Campus connections

Published: August 28 2006

It is my pleasure to introduce Inside UF, your new campus news source.

BusinessWeek: Jim Twitchell

Published: August 30 2006

Pop culture expert Jim Twitchell was quoted in an Aug. 30 BusinessWeek story about male shoppers.

BBC News: Dr. Ying Li

Published: August 4 2006

Dr. Ying Li was quoted in an Aug. 4 BBC News story about his team’s development of new technique to distinguish leukemia cells from healthy cells. The story was the result of a news release.

Baltimore Sun: Diane Mazur

Published: August 23 2006

Law professor Diane Mazur was quoted in an Aug. 23 Baltimore Sun (circ. 470,014) story about a recent decision by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

Associated Press: PepsiCo Grant

Published: August 30 2006

The university’s receipt of a $1.1 million grant from PepsiCo to study obesity was the subject of an Aug. 30 Associated Press national wire story.

Associated Press: Maxine L. Margolis

Published: August 27 2006

Maxine L. Margolis, a professor of anthropology, was quoted in an Aug. 27 Associated Press national wire story about illegal plastic surgeries in the Brazilian community.

Associated Press: Eric Schwartz

Published: August 16 2006

Engineering professor Eric Schwartz and engineering student Gregory Garcia were quoted in an Aug. 16 Associated Press national wire story about Garcia’s invention of a robot shopping cart.

Associated Press: Engineering Team

Published: August 11 2006

UF’s 12-person robot submarine engineering team was referenced in an Aug. 11 Associated Press national wire about its creation, SubjuGator, which won the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition.

Associated Press: Dr. Carl Pepine

Published: August 26 2006

Dr. Carl Pepine, former president of the American College of Cardiology and chief of the division of cardiovascular medicine, was quoted in an Aug. 26 Associated press national wire story about former President Gerald Ford’s angioplasty.

ABC News: Terry McCoy

Published: August 4 2006

Latin America expert Terry McCoy was quoted in an Aug. 4 ABC News story about whether Cuba will be business friendly in a post-Castro world. The quote was the result of a UF News Bureau Tip Sheet.