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Goodbye ‘R’ rule? Oyster pathogen test may help make shellfish safer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The oyster lover’s axiom of edibility — that this shellfish is safest to eat in any month with an “r” in it — may soon become somewhat of a culinary anachronism, thanks to a new food-safety test developed with help from the University of Florida.

Filed under Agriculture, Business, Economic Impact, Florida, Health, Research on Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

NSF awards $1.4 million to UF, other institutions to study disease threatening lobsters

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Caribbean spiny lobster is one of Florida’s top commercial seafood species, with an annual $27 million harvest — but a recently discovered virus is killing the crustaceans and threatening the industry.

Filed under Business, Economic Impact, Florida, Research on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

Florida’s consumer confidence rises as economic fears ease

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Belief that a national economic recovery is under way boosted Florida’s consumer confidence three points to 74 in September, according to a new University of Florida survey.
“I think Florida consumers are buying into the argument that the worst of the recession is over and we have avoided a complete meltdown,” said Chris [...]

Filed under Business, Florida, Research on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Beyond the iPhone: Orlando conference to offer peek at computing future

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — We can find cheap gas or seek out friends. We can track flights or rate restaurants.
But those and other multiplying “apps” for smart phones are only the crest of a wave of smart clothing, toys and tools that will reshape everyday life, just as portable wireless technology has reshaped human interactions [...]

Filed under Business, Engineering, Research, Technology on Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

UF devising new model to test hurricane’s effects on utilities statewide

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A new kind of computer forecast could save Florida residents and the state millions of dollars in hurricane damages to the fragile web of utilities that carries electrical power across the state, says a University of Florida energy researcher.

Filed under Business, Economic Impact, Florida, Research on Monday, September 21, 2009.

Public schools that receive low grades experience huge drop in donations

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Crucial donations from parents and local businesses plummet when public schools receive poor letter grades, and the effect is most pronounced in institutions serving low-income students, according to a new University of Florida study.

Filed under Business, Education, Florida, Research on Wednesday, September 16, 2009.

UF receives grant to help boost work force in nuclear-related fields

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida has been awarded a $450,000 faculty development grant from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to help meet the growing need for educated and trained workers in the nuclear power industry, according to the agency.
“The NRC Faculty Development Grant is very valuable to our department and comes at a time [...]

Filed under Business, Economic Impact, Engineering, Florida, Research on Wednesday, September 9, 2009.

Good news about housing and stocks lifts Florida’s consumer confidence

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Rising housing prices, stock market gains and the lack of any new setbacks in the national economy boosted Florida’s consumer confidence three points to 70 this month, according to a new University of Florida survey.

Filed under Business, Florida, Research on Tuesday, August 25, 2009.

Recession causes Florida’s population to drop for first time since 1946

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s economic slump has pulled down the state’s population, which declined for the first time since military personnel left the state after the end of World War II, according to the latest preliminary population estimates from the University of Florida.

Filed under Business, Florida, Research on Tuesday, August 18, 2009.

Job market key to Florida real estate market resurgence, study shows

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida real estate won’t rebound until the job market improves, but investor confidence in the outlook for business and availability of money are reasons for cautious optimism, according to the latest University of Florida survey.

Filed under Business, Florida, Research on Tuesday, August 11, 2009.