A long-term study found that bariatric surgery improves physical activity and diet quality in participants, but only a small percentage meet federal guidelines. Patients may need continued support to maintain weight loss and health benefits after surgery.
Researchers at the University of Florida have grown plants in soil from the Moon, a major milestone in lunar exploration. The study found that plants can sprout and grow in lunar regolith, but also experience stress due to its unique chemical composition.
A new study found that older adults are no more likely to fall for fake news than younger adults, except for those aged 70 and above. Analytical reasoning skills and positive affect impact detection ability, with 'shallow' information processing increasing vulnerability to deception.
Scientists at UF/IFAS have recorded the first North American case of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma brasiliense' in yellow nutsedge, a highly invasive and aggressive weed. This discovery poses significant threats to agriculture and ornamental industries in the US.
A global team of scientists has identified a consistent pattern of hotter-drought conditions leading to forest mortality events. The study reveals that limiting Earth's warming will determine the survivability of many forests, with higher temperatures projected to double tree-killing droughts.
A University of Florida study reveals that ponds in urban landscapes emit significantly more carbon than they store, with younger ponds contributing the most to atmospheric emissions. Researchers hope this finding will inform policy makers and others about when, where, and how to install stormwater ponds.
Researchers identify biochemical pathway for synthesis of nitrogenous volatiles in tomatoes, which are key to flavor compounds. They can now breed this trait into modern tomatoes to improve flavor.
Researchers created FishSounds.net, an interactive library of fish sounds, to help identify and track fish species. The database can aid in environmental monitoring, fisheries management, and conservation efforts.
A new UF study found that climate change intensifies the negative effects of invasive plants on longleaf pine trees, making them more vulnerable to drought and wildfires. The experiment showed that trees under stress from both drought and invasive cogongrass were least likely to survive after fire.
A recent study by the University of Florida-led team found that common Southeastern US trees are not threatened by exotic fungi carried by wood-boring beetles. The 10-week experiment involved 55 species of Eurasian beetles and over 100 fungi samples, with none causing significant damage to saplings.
Researchers identified genetic characteristics relevant to the production and behavioral attributes of two key bee subspecies, Cape bees and Africanized honey bees. Genetic studies found correlations between dark coloring and cloning behavior in Cape bees, which can take over colonies.
A study found that consumers trust companies more when interacting with chatbots that exhibit high perceived humanness, whether powered by AI or humans. This suggests that companies should focus on creating conversational interfaces that convey a sense of investment and relationship, rather than just relying on human agents.
Researchers found increased activity in 220 immune-related genes after meditation retreat, including heightened interferon signaling. This increase was not due to diet or sleep patterns.
Research from the University of Florida found that baby talk can stimulate motor production of speech in infants. By mimicking infant vocal tracts, babies learn how words should sound coming out of their mouths. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the role of baby talk in language development.
A new study found that host immunity drives the evolution of the dengue virus, causing it to adapt and change over time. The research, published in Science, analyzed genetic variation and immune signatures of dengue viruses isolated in Bangkok over a 20-year period.
Researchers found that two bird species in Patagonia regularly consume truffles and disperse viable spores through their droppings. The study confirms birds play a role in spreading truffles, an important part of a healthy forest ecosystem.
The Mars Perseverance rover's on-the-ground views helped UF scientist Amy Williams and the NASA team narrow their search for ancient life. The rock layers revealed familiar patterns matching those seen on Earth, indicating how the delta in Mars' Jezero Crater formed.
Research from the University of Florida found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly increases antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk, providing passive immunity to newborns. The study suggests that vaccinated mothers can help protect their babies from COVID-19 illness.
Research suggests that people who already hold sexist beliefs about women journalists find the portrayals believable, creating a vicious cycle. Understanding who falls for skewed portrayals is crucial in finding solutions to declining trust in media
A study by University of Florida scientists found that crayfish exposed to low levels of antidepressant medication behave more boldly, emerging from hiding earlier and spending more time searching for food. This altered behavior could have a ripple effect on stream ecosystem functions.
A new study from the University of Florida finds that mosquitoes can adjust to rapid changes in temperature, indicating they may become active year-round. The research suggests that as climate change makes winters warmer, mosquitoes in temperate regions will be well-prepared to be active during those times.
A recent study found that gifted programs for high achievers are not adequately serving Black and low-income students, with modest academic achievement gains and little impact on engagement or attendance. The researchers suggest diversifying curriculum and structure to better meet the needs of diverse student populations.
University of Florida researchers have demonstrated a novel approach to triggering immunity against salmonella, using extracellular vesicles (EVs) that contain antigens from the bacteria. In mice, these EVs induced both innate and adaptive immune responses, offering a promising direction for developing a vaccine.
Researchers found a link between specific gut bacteria species and physical manifestations of neurodegenerative diseases. The study showed that introducing certain bacteria into worms caused protein aggregation, a common symptom of these conditions. This finding may help explain the connection between gut bacteria and neurodegeneration.
A new study finds that starting your day with a quick morning reflection can make you a better leader, even if you're not in a leadership role. Researchers suggest taking just a few minutes to reflect on who you want to be as a leader and how you can help others.
A new malaria vaccine aims to stop mosquitoes from transmitting Plasmodium parasites to people by immunizing them against infection. The vaccine, developed by University of Florida researcher Rhoel Dinglasan, has shown promise in laboratory studies and is now set to be tested in humans.
Physician burnout affects patients, with stressed doctors being less compassionate and more likely to make mistakes. Streamlining record-keeping is key to addressing this issue, as per a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
Researchers analyzed data from 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to link MRSA carriage with mortality risk. The study found that middle-aged and older adults who unknowingly carry MRSA on their skin have twice the mortality rate of those without the bacteria, highlighting the need for routine screening.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered a way to evaluate enzyme lifespan, allowing them to identify enzymes that need improvement. This breakthrough could lead to increased crop yields by reducing energy spent on replacing worn-out enzymes.
Feeling psychologically powerful can make leaders feel their job is more demanding, yet this can also be beneficial for goal pursuit and meaningful work. However, it can cause pain and discomfort, particularly in those high in neuroticism.
Research from University of Florida finds community banks play a vital role in helping small businesses access Paycheck Protection Program funding, providing faster response times and more loans per dollar of deposits. Community bank focus on personal ties with customers enables quicker decision-making and higher loan volumes.
Daydreaming can be an antidote to boredom, but it's surprisingly demanding. Research suggests that we don't intuitively understand how to think enjoyable thoughts. To master daydreaming, try priming your brain with pleasant topics and timing it when you're minimally occupied.
Research shows that a single negative first review can cause a product to fail and affect future reviews for up to three years. Retailers can mitigate this impact by detecting and addressing negative early reviews.
A new study reveals that sea snakes in dry regions rely on freshwater lenses formed on the ocean's surface to quench their thirst. Researchers found that only a portion of the captured snakes accepted the offered freshwater after rainfall began.
A study led by the Brazilian Ministry of Health found that dengue immunity can protect against Zika infection in human populations. In a cohort of 1,453 residents, those with dengue antibodies had a 9% reduction in risk of Zika infection for each doubling of antibody titers.
A new study found that moths with larger hindwings and longer tails have a higher chance of escaping bats due to their ability to deflect sonar. Researchers tested four different hindwing shapes in real-time dogfights between bats and moths, revealing that the larger the hindwings and longer the tails, the better the moths' chances.
A new study found that most asteroids in the inner asteroid belt originate from five or six ancient minor planets, with at least 85% of them tracing their origins to these primordial bodies. This discovery provides a more robust understanding of the evolutionary history of asteroids and the materials that form them.
New fossil evidence suggests that ancient primates, including Teilhardina brandti, had specialized grooming claws as well as nails. This finding overturns the prevailing assumption that the earliest primates had nails on all their digits and provides crucial insights into their daily behavior and evolutionary story.
A new study by the University of Florida Health found that Florida's obesity rate is nearly 10 percentage points higher than initially reported, at 37.1%. The study analyzed data from over 1.3 million adults and found significant geographic variation in obesity rates across the state.
Researchers found that nearly half of a pitcher's total throws are unaccounted for in teams' pitch counts. This can lead to excessive pitching and increased risk of elbow and shoulder injuries. The study suggests that counting all pitches, including warm-ups and bullpen activity, can help reduce injury risk.
A new species of butterfly, Cyllopsis tomemmeli, has been recognized as a distinct species nearly 60 years after it was first collected by Thomas Emmel in 1959. The discovery highlights the value of museum collections and the importance of preserving specimens for future study.
A promising malaria vaccine candidate, TBV, has shown to completely prevent transmission of the Plasmodium parasite to mosquitoes in Cameroon. The $3.2 million grant will further develop processes for human trials and a clinical treatment.
Climate change is altering eastern US forests, leading to shifts in tree species composition and reduced biomass, which affects carbon storage. Drought-tolerant trees are slower-growing, making forests more responsive to drying or wetting, amplifying the effects of climate change.
Researchers found that labeling people and objects in books enhances infant attention and retention. The study, led by Lisa Scott, suggests that shared reading with labeled books can support cognitive development in the first year of life.
Scientists have discovered black holes have significantly weaker magnetic fields than previously thought, with measurements about 400 times lower than estimated. This finding deepens our knowledge of how matter behaves under extreme conditions and could impact nuclear fusion power and GPS systems.
Researchers used gene therapy to stop the immune response that causes multiple sclerosis in mouse models, producing near-complete remission. The treatment combined a brain-protein gene with an existing medication, showing significant potential for treating multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders.
Researchers found that naturally occurring climate variations, specifically El Niño and the North Atlantic Oscillation, drive sea level rise hot spots along the U.S. East Coast. These hot spots can amplify coastal flooding severity and are difficult to predict.
A new study reveals that methane-eating microbes in Antarctica's subglacial Whillans Lake can consume nearly all released methane, potentially reducing its impact on the atmosphere. This process could have significant climatic implications and may play a critical role in mitigating the effects of melting Antarctic ice sheets.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that cause congenital myotonic dystrophy, a debilitating muscle disorder. They developed specialized mouse models to test potential drug therapies and found severe RNA misprocessing as a major cause of the disease.
A University of Florida study found that generic drug prices increase when market competition levels drop, particularly among lower-priced drugs. The research analyzed 1.08 billion prescription claims and estimated competition levels using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index.