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Termites’ gut reactions show how to improve renewable fuel, UF researchers say

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Termite damage costs the U.S. more than $1 billion each year, but that same destructive power might help solve one of the nation’s most pressing economic quandaries: sustainable fuel production.

Filed under Environment, Research on Wednesday, November 4, 2009.

UF research examines how common pesticide mixes may affect bee die-offs

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Since reports of widespread bee die-offs began to surface in October 2006, researchers have investigated possible reasons ranging from hive-infecting mites to cell phone-tower radiation. They have yet to pinpoint the cause of colony collapse disorder — most likely, because there isn’t just one, say University of Florida researchers.

Filed under Environment, Research on Thursday, October 29, 2009.

UF professor flies high in the small world of owl-pellet gathering

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Dissecting owl pellets and reconstructing animal skeletons inside can be a gruesomely great educational experience for youngsters – so much so, that demand for owl pellets has spawned a cottage industry.

Filed under Education, Environment, Florida, Research on Monday, October 26, 2009.

Donation of Lepidoptera collection to UF will boost biodiversity research

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A gift of more than 2 million butterfly and moth specimens to the University of Florida contains hundreds and possibly more than 1,000 new unnamed species, and will help researchers better understand biodiversity and environmental changes.

Filed under Environment, Florida, Research on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

National UF butterfly science curriculum engages kids as scientists

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Youth around the country will become bona fide butterfly researchers as part of a new science curriculum developed by University of Florida faculty and staff.

Filed under Education, Environment, Research on Thursday, October 1, 2009.

Establishing healthy shrubs not the water-consuming task many think, UF research shows

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Good news for your utility bills and the environment: New University of Florida research shows that landscape shrubs need much less water to establish healthy roots than you might expect.

Filed under Agriculture, Environment, Florida, Research on Thursday, September 24, 2009.

Statewide study shows algae toxin a minor threat, say UF experts

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A toxin produced by freshwater algae has garnered plenty of media coverage in recent years, but a new University of Florida study shows there’s little cause for concern about its presence in Florida lakes.
Researchers analyzed water taken from 187 lakes in 38 counties during a one-year period, and found that almost three-quarters [...]

Filed under Environment, Florida, Health, Research on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

New water-depth evaluation system will aid Everglades research, UF study shows

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When scientists discuss Everglades restoration, one phrase pops up again and again — “getting the water right.”

Filed under Environment, Florida, Research on Thursday, September 17, 2009.

Study of isolated snakes could help shed light on venom composition

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — While studying a way to more safely and effectively collect snake venom, University of Florida researchers have noticed the venom delivered by an isolated population of Florida cottonmouth snakes may be changing in response to their diet.

Filed under Environment, Health, Research on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

UF, Old Dominion launch project to restore sponges in barren parts of Florida Bay

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Marine sponges may not look like apartment buildings, but to shrimps, juvenile lobsters and other animals in Florida Bay, the puffy filter-feeders provide one of the few safe places to live.
In 2007, harmful algae blooms killed sponges in large tracts of the shallow lagoon, where fresh water draining from the Everglades meets [...]

Filed under Economic Impact, Environment, Florida, Research on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.