Researchers from around the world will gather at what many consider to be a perfect storm for invasive aquatic plants. With 28 ports of entry and a tropical environment, Florida ranks first among states for invasive species. Thus, 250 scientists from 13 countries will gather at the 20th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species from Oct. 22 to 26 in …
UF/IFAS-Led Team Wins National Award for Research on Heat-Tolerant Field Corn
Field corn is one of the world’s most important cereal grains, and efforts to develop new heat-tolerant varieties of this crop have earned national recognition for a scientific team led by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences molecular geneticist Curt Hannah. On Thursday, Oct. 12, representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and …
UF honors alumni, friends at annual Dinner of Distinction
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences honored some of its most ardent supporters at its annual Dinner of Distinction, held recently. This was the fifth year for the awards banquet that recognizes individuals and organizations that support and advance UF/IFAS in its research, teaching and Extension efforts. “Land-grant universities are special places, and the agriculture and …
UF Study: Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes Abound in Deforested Lands
Most disease-transmitting mosquito species live in deforested areas, a finding that may influence decisions on where and when to cut down trees, a new University of Florida study shows. Deforestation occurs when people remove trees to make way for neighborhoods, farms, shopping centers, and other land uses, said Nathan Burkett-Cadena, a UF/IFAS entomologist and lead author of the study. For …
Researchers Awarded Grant to Improve How Plants Get Nitrogen, Reduce Pollution
A team of researchers at the universities of Florida and Wisconsin-Madison will use a $7.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to pinpoint genes that could improve plants’ ability to access nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Enhancing plants’ nitrogen uptake could increase food security by promoting crop growth in poor soils and could reduce the need …
UF Expert Helps Ensure “Grain Train” Gets Through
As Hurricane Irma barreled toward Florida in early September, she threatened to starve thousands of dairy cows by delaying the grain train – two dozen freight cars of feed commodities bound for the Lake Okeechobee area. The crisis was resolved by a team that included a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) expert and representatives of …
UF Professors to Lead Grant Project to Turn Seed Into Jet Fuel
With help from University of Florida researchers, pilots will, in the future, fly jets with fuel made from a tiny seed grown in the Southeast. Besides helping the environment and boosting the economy as a source of renewable fuel, the seed can also be used to produce valuable bioproducts and feed for livestock. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute …
Scientist Recognized for Research in Mosquito-Borne Disease Control
University of Florida entomology professor Jeffrey Bloomquist is known to have a restless curiosity about everything, ranging from insecticide toxicology to mosquito control and resistance. That boundless need to know has paid off for Bloomquist, a faculty member with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. He recently was honored with the American Chemical Society International Award for Research …
UF Researcher Offers Tips on Controlling Mosquitoes After Hurricane
Hurricane Irma left a lot of standing water in the yards and homes of Florida residents. So, a University of Florida researcher suggests steps for making sure your home doesn’t become a haven for mosquitoes. Some mosquito species can lay up to 200 eggs at a time, so it’s critical to empty cups, birdbaths, pots or anything else on your …
UF Researchers to Use Grant to Help Stop Influenza
University of Florida researchers will use a $2.7 million National Institutes of Health grant to study whether they can harness an unusual type of immune cell in pigs to treat and prevent influenza viruses in animals and humans. Although “natural killer T” – or NKT cells — are very rare, they can be very powerful and can stimulate immune responses …