Third International Kratom Symposium Draws Experts From Across the Globe
Faculty from the University of Florida joined kratom scientists from around the world the Third International Kratom Symposium held in Orlando from Feb. 14-15. Hosted by the UF College of Pharmacy, the symposium featured botanists, chemists, pharmacologists, and public health experts as they exchanged ideas and discussed the most pressing issues concerning kratom's use internationally and in the West.
Oliver Grundmann, Ph.D., professor of medicinal chemistry and co-director of the symposium, said this event provides a unique opportunity to tackle the challenges around research and regulation of kratom.
UF Uses Artificial Intelligence To Detect Poison Ivy
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research Center are using AI to identify poison ivy, which causes rashes on up to 50 million people each year.
Nathan Boyd, researcher and professor of horticultural sciences, led the research alongside post-doctoral researcher Renato Herrig, who designed the mobile app. Designed as a tool for hikers and those working outdoors, the app uses a camera to identify poison ivy in real time and works without an internet connection.
Check Out These Catchy New Caladium Cultivars, Courtesy of UF/IFAS
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have released three new caladium varieties called 'Pinky Swear', 'Wonderland' and 'Salsa'. 'Pinky Swear' and 'Salsa' are now available, with 'Wonderland' ready for purchase next year.
Zhanao Deng, a plant breeder and professor of environmental horticulture with the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), works with caladium growers in Florida to develop new cultivars like this on commercial farms in the area. He recently published his research findings on these three new types, exploring their characteristics and yield potential.
UF/IFAS Plants Grown in Space Flown Home
Researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences were glad to see their plants returned to Earth last month following an experiment aboard the International Space Station.
The plants were launched as seeds aboard the International Space Station in May as part of a multi-phase experiment being conducted by the UF/IFAS Space Plants Lab. Astronauts aboard the ISS grew the plants in July, harvested them in the Fall, sent them back to Earth in December, and the researchers had them by January.
This experiment focused on genetic strategies to make plants hardier and better able to adapt to the spaceflight environment. Over time, as more plants are given the opportunity to grow during spaceflight, researchers hope to "train" the plants to adapt to this environment.
UF/IFAS Scientists Address Food Security in the Caribbean
Jehangir 'Jango' Bhadha, associate professor of soil, water, and ecosystem sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), recently led a team of faculty during a three-day training program in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to address the challenges of excess and lack of nutrients used for agricultural production.
SpaceX Launches UF\IFAS Microbiology Experiment to ISS
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Associate Professor Kelly Rice recently saw her experiment launch to the International Space Station during SpaceX's recent NG-20 mission. The aim of the experiment is to better understand Staph infections in a microgravity environment, and how its affects can be exacerbated in close quarter environments like the ISS.
UF/IFAS Scientists Join Together To Promote Compost Standards, Practices in Florida
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is seeking alternatives to encourage Floridians to compost common waste like food items, grass clippings, and more. This effort, aimed at reducing demand on landfills, will see UF/IFAS personnel partner with industry professionals and organizations to minimize environmental impact and encourage economic development.
Global Food and Beverage Industry Representatives to Come to Orlando to Learn Latest Flavor Research
Flavor comes from a combination of nature and science. Food and beverage industry representatives from across the world will gather in Orlando in March to learn the research behind unique tastes and aromas.
Peak Strawberry Season Means More Florida-Grown, Flavorful Fruit at the Market
It's the height of the Florida strawberry harvesting season – a time when the state’s growers are doing all they can to make sure consumers can choose from among the best of their favorite fruit at the market.
University of Florida To Launch Space Mission Institute With $2.5 Million in Strategic Funding
Faculty at the University of Florida are joining forces to form the UF Space Mission Institute, with $2.5 million in funding from UF President Ben Sasse. The Institute will be managed by UF Research and will be a hub in which scientists and scholars from across UF can collaborate, conduct research, and innovate.
The institute will work to enhance existing relationships with Space Florida and the Space Life Sciences Laboratory at the Kennedy Space Center, and seek new partnerships with the International Space Station National Laboratory. The institute will also work to leverage UF’s proximity to the growing commercial space ecosystem in Florida. Throughout the next five years, the total economic impact of the commercial space industry in Florida is expected to be more than $5.3 billion.
