The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is proud to announce its 2025 inductees, including pioneers who have advanced fields such as nanotechnology and regenerative medicine. These individuals hold over 460 U.S. patents and embody the spirit of American ingenuity.
Researchers found that on islands with more space and competition, rattlesnake venom became more specialized, suggesting that animals may evolve finely tuned traits to specific prey. This challenges traditional views of evolution in fragmented environments, offering fresh insight into species adaptation.
A new study led by the University of South Florida reveals a correlation between opioid misuse and domestic violence, with opioid control programs contributing to a 10% reduction in simple assaults. The effect was strongest in states with higher opioid prescription rates.
The inaugural event showcased over 150 K–12 student inventors presenting original solutions to real-world challenges. The convention, part of the Henry Ford Museum's Invention Convention Worldwide, provides a platform for imagination to meet impact.
A USF-led study found that when some members in a cohort engage in job-seeking behaviors, newcomers are more likely to do the same and ultimately leave the organization. The effect is mitigated if the newcomer has a strong preference for the organization's geographic location.
The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine has been named the top-ranked medical school in Florida and received a Tier 1 ranking from U.S. News & World Report, reflecting its world-class research and educational programs. The college's recent achievements include record-breaking $738 million in research funding and a significant increa...
A groundbreaking new study of young people's digital media use reveals evidence that smartphone ownership benefits children and links social media posting to negative outcomes. The Life in Media Survey will track digital media use and wellbeing across the lifespan.
A new USF study identifies several viruses associated with Karenia brevis, the single-celled organism causing red tide. The finding marks an initial step toward exploring viruses as biocontrol agents for red tide blooms.
A recent USF study found that strong ocean currents and wind pushed sargassum into the tropics, where it thrived in ideal growing conditions. Nutrients were supplied via vertical mixing, fueling massive blooms that end up on Caribbean beaches.
A new USF study emphasizes the importance of protecting coastal marine ecosystems, particularly tidal flats, which provide critical habitats for fish populations and contribute to global seafood supplies. The team recommends adopting core strategies for boaters, anglers, wildlife managers, and policymakers to prioritize preservation.
A USF study found that patients with pulmonary fibrosis who contracted severe COVID-19 experienced lung improvement. Researchers are exploring factors associated with this finding to develop new treatments, including applying knowledge gained from COVID-19 patients to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. The study suggests a possibl...
A USF study of over 1,000 employees found that sedentary work and nonstandard schedules are significant threats to sleep health, leading to a 37% increase in insomnia symptoms among sedentary workers and a 66% greater risk of needing catch-up sleep.
Researchers at USF and TGH Cancer Institute found a potential link between the Western diet and chronic inflammation that drives tumor growth. Chronic inflammation fueled by poor dietary choices plays a vital role in colorectal cancer growth and progression.
Researchers at USF Health have created the first ever peer-reviewed guide to audio podcasts dedicated to infectious diseases. The study highlights 38 popular infectious disease-oriented audio podcasts, including a new USF Health series called Contagion: An Infectious Diseases Podcast.
Researchers suggest that manatees may have only become a permanent fixture in Florida after Europeans colonization began, contradicting the common assumption of their long history in the state. The study suggests that warming waters and human activities may have encouraged the manatees to stay and breed.
Researchers have discovered preserved biosignatures in volcanic caves, including calcium and sodium sulfates, indicating past microbial activity. This finding highlights lava tubes as potential refuges for microbial life, shedding light on the search for extraterrestrial life on Mars.
A USF study has confirmed the existence of hallucinogenic cocktails in ancient Egyptian fertility rituals, using a Bes mug as evidence. The concoction, flavored with honey and other ingredients, was likely used to induce dream-vision in magic rituals reenacting Egyptian myths.
Researchers will track thousands of 11-13 year olds and follow the same participants over decades to determine how digital media affects attitudes, behaviors and health. The study aims to understand the impact of digital media use on sleep quality and mental health in adolescents.
Researchers discovered high levels of siderophores in the ocean's twilight zone, where iron is deficient, affecting the biological carbon pump and nutrient cycles. This study contributes to understanding climate change impacts on the ocean's ability to absorb carbon.
New research finds that employees who feel pressure to work while sick experience deviant behaviors like theft and mistreatment of coworkers. The cost of such behavior, known as 'presenteeism,' can be staggering, with annual losses estimated at up to $150 billion.
A new study by University of South Florida researchers found that receiving a complimentary healthy food item can influence consumers to purchase indulgent foods. The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, suggests that free samples may not be as healthy as they seem.
A new study by University of South Florida geologist Bogdan Onac and colleagues has found that humans settled the western Mediterranean much earlier than previously believed. The discovery of a 25-foot submerged bridge, dated to nearly 6,000 years ago, provides compelling evidence of earlier human activity on Mallorca's island.
A study published in Journal of Anthropological Archaeology reveals that interpersonal violence was more common in Norway, with higher rates of trauma on skeletons and the presence of weaponry. In contrast, Denmark experienced more controlled violence linked to official executions.
Researchers at University of South Florida found that sea surface temperatures in four estuaries in South Florida have risen faster than globally and in the Gulf of Mexico. The accelerated warming poses a threat to marine life, including algae, seagrass, and coral reefs.
A USF study reveals that digital food ordering platforms significantly influence consumer behavior, often leading to more indulgent food choices and increased spending. The study found that 61% of digital orders were unhealthy, and consumers who are more proficient with technology may be less susceptible to the Google Effect.
A study by researchers at the University of South Florida found that 78% of testicular cancer survivors experience significant difficulties with everyday listening situations, leading to a reduced quality of life. The research highlights the need for regular auditory evaluations to manage and mitigate long-term hearing damage caused by...
A new University of South Florida-led study found that mindfulness helps nurses experience fewer negative emotions and less rumination, leading to improved sleep quality. The findings provide insight into how employees and employers can work together to reduce work-related stress and promote overall health.
A study by the University of South Florida found that consumers perceive a 3.5-rated product as higher and better when the score is illustrated in shapes like stars, circles, and bars, versus numbers. This phenomenon, known as left-digit anchoring, affects consumer behavior in online marketplaces. Researchers recommend using visual rat...
A new USF study finds that language barriers limit the effectiveness of cybersecurity resources, with many limited English proficiency users engaging in risky online behaviors. The research highlights the need for providing cybersecurity information and resources in multiple formats to accommodate diverse literacy levels.
Researchers from USF have made significant findings on the genetic basis of disease, using a joint genome-wide association study to track co-evolution between Tasmanian devils and an infectious cancer. The study provides valuable insights that can inform epidemiological models and devil management strategies.
A microscopic pathogen found in the Caribbean is causing a devastating die-off of long-spined sea urchin populations and threatening coral reefs worldwide. The USF study reveals the same parasite, identified last year, has spread to new species in the Sea of Oman, putting global sea urchin populations at risk.
A new study reveals that tropical herbivores moving into subtropical waters are at risk of overgrazing seagrasses, which could lead to the decline of these vital habitats. To mitigate this, researchers emphasize the importance of protecting water quality and providing sufficient light for seagrasses to thrive.
Researchers at the University of South Florida have created an algorithm that can reconstruct a hidden scene in 3D using an ordinary digital camera, enabling users to see around obstacles. The technology has broad applications in various fields, including car safety, law enforcement, and military efforts.
A team of engineers and public health experts from USF helped decrease blood lead levels of 87% of children tested in Toamasina, Madagascar. The team replaced old car batteries with lead-free check valves in pumps, educating city technicians on the dangers of lead.
A new study by USF researchers found that linguistics experts were unable to distinguish between AI- and human-generated abstracts less than 39 percent of the time. The study concluded that ChatGPT can write short genres as well as humans, while longer texts are easier to identify as AI-generated
Researchers extract ocean temperatures from barnacle shells, which provide clues to the plane's drift path and origin. The method may help investigators narrow their search in the Indian Ocean.
A historic study reveals the West Antarctic Ice Sheet was smaller and more dynamic in recent geologic past than previously thought, with implications for global sea level rise. The researchers analyzed sediment and water samples from subglacial lake Mercer Lake to infer the region's geologic history.
Researchers from the University of South Florida and EPA developed a new classification system to target wetland restoration and protection. The system categorizes freshwater wetlands into four classes based on their proximity to streams, demonstrating the effects of wetlands on water quality at a continental scale.
Researchers identified a single-celled organism called a scuticociliate as the cause of a massive die-off event among long-spined sea urchins in the Caribbean and along Florida's east coast. The team used genomic techniques and lab experiments to confirm the source of the die-off, replicating what was observed in the ocean.
A team of scientists, led by University of South Florida professor Matthew Pasek, discovered a new phosphorus material in a fulgurite created by a lightning strike. The material is transitional between space minerals and those found on Earth, and its formation could have implications for our understanding of high-energy events.
A University of South Florida anthropologist has uncovered the first ancient DNA from the Swahili Civilization, revealing African and Asian ancestry patterns. The study challenges centuries-old narratives and restores pride to the millions who identify as Swahili by providing clarity to their heritage.
A recent study published in the Academy of Management Review explores the impact of underdog narratives on team behavior and motivation. The research suggests that adopting an underdog identity can lead to increased risk-taking and a greater sense of well-being, but also highlights potential drawbacks such as sabotaging competition.
A new study reveals that fjords store 11-12% of the ocean's carbon, making them small but mighty planetary 'thermostats' that regulate temperature. Fjords are highly reactive, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere during glacial periods.
Researchers explored how customers react to positive emotions from AI chatbots compared to human agents. They found that adding emotions doesn't necessarily improve service quality or customer satisfaction.
A new study reveals that having too few job demands can disrupt sleep, while moderate demands with adequate control lead to a regular sleep schedule and shorter time to fall asleep. The researchers also found that individuals who have more control over their work environment tend to sleep better.
A new study reveals that vertical migrators, including krill and jumbo squid, are unlikely to leave their native tropical zones due to climate change. Instead, they may expand their habitat northward in response to temperature changes and altered metabolic requirements.
A study from the University of South Florida found that cross-company communication supports inventor productivity and creativity. Decompartmentalized communication creates a nurturing environment where inventors feel valued and supported as they work on new projects.
Researchers at USF Health successfully tested a protein that activates a unique pathway in cells to increase survival and protect endothelial cells from toxic substances. The study reveals the potential of apolipoprotein A1 as a novel therapeutic for ALS patients, with the goal of slowing disease progression and alleviating symptoms.
A new study published in Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity suggests that statin therapy is not justified for healthy individuals with high cholesterol. The research found a very weak association between low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) and the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Scientists mapped high-resolution seafloor images revealing Thwaites Glacier retreated at rates up to 2.1 km/year in the past, potentially leading to a total loss of ice and a 3-10 ft sea level rise. This study provides new insights into the glacier's future behavior.