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How many genes does it take to learn? Lessons from sea slugs

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Scientists analyzing the genomics of a marine snail have gotten an unprecedented look at brain mechanisms, discovering that the neural processes in even a simple sea creature are far from sluggish.

Filed under Research, Health on Thursday, December 28, 2006.

Rising gas prices and soft housing sales hurt consumer confidence

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — After three solid months of gains, consumer confidence in Florida fell in December by four points to 89, reflecting pessimism about gas prices, the housing market and future economic conditions, University of Florida economists report.

Filed under Research, Business, Florida on Tuesday, December 26, 2006.

Historic preservation enhances quality of life of Floridians, UF study finds

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Historic preservation enhances the quality of life of Floridians through economic and cultural contributions to an improved sense of place, according to a new study from the University of Florida.

Filed under Research, Architecture, Florida, Politics, Law on Wednesday, December 20, 2006.

Mental exercise has long-term benefits for seniors

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Just as physical exercise is good for the body, mental training can keep older minds functioning better, with results lasting for years.

Filed under Research, Health, Aging on Tuesday, December 19, 2006.

History-hunting geneticists can still follow familiar trail

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As the world’s first explorers branched away from humanity’s birthplace in east Africa some 65,000 years ago, distinct mutations accumulated in the DNA of each population, essentially providing a genetic trail for modern researchers to follow.

Filed under Research, Health, Sciences on Tuesday, December 19, 2006.

Five years post-9/11, survey shows most consider skyscrapers safe

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Five years after terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center, a majority of respondents in a University of Florida study say they felt safe living and working in skyscrapers despite believing they are terrorist targets.

Filed under Research, Architecture, Engineering, Politics, Sciences on Monday, December 18, 2006.

For crickets, parasitic flies can stop the music

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Love hurts — really bad, for some unlucky crickets, anyway.

Filed under Research, Sciences on Wednesday, December 13, 2006.

UF study reveals fear of discrimination keeps many people with epilepsy out of the workplace

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The unemployment rate among people with epilepsy is considerably higher than the national average — not necessarily because they have frequent seizures or can’t find jobs but because many continue to fear workplace discrimination, a new University of Florida study reveals.

Filed under Research, Health, Business on Tuesday, December 12, 2006.

Genetic modification turns plant virus into delivery vehicle for green-friendly insecticide, say UF researchers

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A plant-destroying virus farmers call one of their worst enemies may soon be an ally in the fight against crop pests and mosquitoes, say University of Florida researchers.

Filed under Research, Environment, Sciences, Agriculture on Tuesday, December 12, 2006.

Snowbirds and “sunbirds” cause big shifts in Florida’s older population

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s elderly population fluctuates by nearly 20 percent over the course of a year with the winter arrival of “snowbirds” embracing warmer weather and the summer departure of “sunbirds” escaping to cooler climes, a new University of Florida study finds.

Filed under Research, Florida, Aging on Monday, December 11, 2006.