UF/IFAS Research on Crocodiles Provides Key Insights on Wildlife Aging
Scientists at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) contributed critical research over the last 40 years of American crocodiles to a global comparative study on longevity, aging and mortality in ectothermic tetrapods. The study, published in the journal Science, represents the first data compilation of its kind using 107 populations of 77 species from 98 research institutions. The study provides a comparative analysis of mortality in the wild – a missing piece of the puzzle in science until now.
UF Research Highlights Gardening as a Way To Cultivate Better Mental Health
In a study published in the journal “PLOS ONE,” University of Florida scientists found that gardening activities lowered stress, anxiety and depression in healthy women who attended twice-weekly gardening classes. None of study participants had gardened before.
New Research Identifies the Needs and Tools To Help Urban Farmers Succeed
The needs of commercial urban agriculture (CUA) operations in Florida have been relatively unknown, which led UF/IFAS researchers to dig deeper. A newly published study explains the most common challenges these farmers face and opportunities that could help them thrive.
UF/IFAS Researchers Will Use AI To Assess Livestock Mobility
Samantha Brooks, a UF/IFAS geneticist and associate professor of equine physiology – along with other UF researchers -- have been awarded a $49,713 grant from the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) for this research. The team will combine machine learning with gait analyses to speed their assessment of livestock mobility.
Florida’s Next Commodity: Tea?
It’s decidedly iced tea season in Florida, but whether you take your tea hot or iced, sweet or unsweet, black or green, the infused leaf in your cup could soon come from a Florida farm.
New Medicinal Plants Course Addresses Industry Needs
Emerging industries require a skilled workforce to function. Sometimes, the industry begins to boom before employers can hire a sufficient number of skilled employees. That was the case for many employers in the medicinal plant industry, which includes crops like hemp, kava and kratom. Faculty from two University of Florida colleges worked together to help meet that demand with a new course.
UF Scientist Helps Perfect Tool To Reduce Invasive Species Worldwide
A University of Florida scientist is working with a global research team to help control plants, animals and fish before they become invasive. To do this, resource managers first need protocols.
UF Scientists May Have Found a Way to More Efficiently Apply Genome Editing to Plant Breeding
New research led by a University of Florida scientist shows a development regulator can help plants grow. In the bigger picture, the study’s results also may help genome editing and as a result, plant breeding.
A First: Scientists Grow Plants in Soil From the Moon
Scientists have grown plants in soil from the moon, a first in human history and a milestone in lunar and space exploration. In a new paper published in the journal “Communications Biology,” University of Florida researchers showed that plants can successfully sprout and grow in lunar soil. Their study also investigated how plants respond biologically to the moon’s soil, also known as lunar regolith, which is radically different from soil found on Earth.
Rob Ferl Receives NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal
Rob Ferl, distinguished professor in the UF/IFAS horticultural sciences department and assistant vice president for UF research, has received one of NASA’s most prestigious honors, the Exceptional Public Service Medal.
