UF News and events of possible media interest (June 8)

June 8, 2015

UF News for week of June 8 listed

Monday, June 8

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Tuesday, June 9

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Wednesday, June 10

LEAN DRUG -- --Researchers in pharmacology and several other departments have produced a pair of studies which revealed that the drug rapamycin can do a lot of good: reducing fat, preserving lean mass and reducing food intake in older rats. The success in the lab has researchers optimistic that it could one day be used to help older adults stay healthier and leaner. Rapamycin comes from bacteria found on Easter Island, and was originally an antifungal but is now mostly used as a therapeutic.

IRON OVERLOAD -- UF/IFAS prof and team find the protein that brings iron from red blood cells into the liver. This finding is only in mice so far. But it’s key because excess iron can then theoretically be treated with a drug and eliminated through the patient’s urine. The body has no way to get rid of iron. If it builds up in the liver, you die.

Thursday, June 11

STROKE -- Using robotics-assisted practice can help stroke survivors regain mobility and function in the hand and arm. All three groups of survivors who were studied had significant improvement in muscle function and functional task performance.

Friday, June 12

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UF events of possible media interest listed

Weeklong international piano festival
Thirty outstanding college and pre-college pianists from seven countries will gather once again at the University of Florida June 13-20 for the 2015 UF International Piano Festival.

To learn more, visit www.arts.ufl.edu/pianofestival or contact Leah Craig at lcraig@arts.ufl.edu or 352-273-1489.

“Literature and Medicine”

Anne Stiles, associate professor of English and director of medical humanities at Saint Louis University will present “Literature and Medicine: Silas Weir Mitchell’s Fiction” from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9.  The lecture will take place in the Communicore Building, Room C1-7.

For more information, please contact Nina Stoyan-Rosenzweig at nstoyan@ufl.edu.