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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 Business, Florida, Research 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 Architecture, Florida, Law, Politics, Research on Wednesday, December 20, 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 Aging, Florida, Research on Monday, December 11, 2006.

UF study: Outlook for Florida real estate market not entirely negative

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — While the outlook for sales of homes and condos in Florida is bleak, the real estate prognosis for business properties is much better as it rides on a still-strong state economy, according to a University of Florida study released today.

Filed under Business, Florida, Research on Tuesday, December 5, 2006.

New consortium aims to promote better research to protect state’s forests

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Each day, Florida gains an average of 1,000 residents and loses more than 200 acres of forest—but University of Florida experts say rapid urbanization doesn’t doom the state to a treeless existence.

Filed under Agriculture, Environment, Florida, Research on Thursday, November 30, 2006.

Upswing in consumer confidence boosts holiday retail sales outlook

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Lower gas prices, high employment levels and possibly the mid-term election results boosted consumer confidence in Florida by three points in November to 93, boding well for holiday shopping sales, University of Florida economists report.

Filed under Business, Florida, Research on Tuesday, November 28, 2006.

Surveys find Florida consumers have less to spend for Christmas

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Despite falling gasoline prices, most Florida consumers don’t plan to spend more this Christmas season than they did last year.

Filed under Business, Florida, Research on Monday, November 20, 2006.

Horse owners can still vaccinate animals against West Nile virus

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Although cooler temperatures have arrived in Florida, horses in the Sunshine State are still at risk for contracting potentially fatal mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus, University of Florida veterinarians and state officials warn.

Filed under Florida, Research, Veterinary on Wednesday, November 15, 2006.

Bedbugs begone! UF fumigation school teaches low-cost control method

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Bedbugs are back, so University of Florida experts are helping revive an old method that makes it easier — and less expensive — for pest control operators to fight the blood-sucking insects.

Filed under Environment, Florida, Research on Tuesday, November 14, 2006.

Relief at pump spurs hike in Florida consumer confidence this month

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Lower gas prices have given low-income customers a break and fueled a seven-point increase in consumer confidence in October to 90, its highest level in seven months, University of Florida economists report.

Filed under Business, Florida, Research on Tuesday, October 31, 2006.