Tag: University of Florida

Featured image: Young explorers observing mushrooms with magnifying glass in forest. AdobeStock_ 1655868095 By Serhii, Photo used under license.

Don’t let the ‘summer slide’ slow down learning; experts share fun options to fuel young minds

by Lourdes Mederos
June 11, 2026

Summer break has arrived for kids. A time for fun, freedom and family vacation. It can also be a time when academic skills fade away. With nearly 3 million students enrolled in Florida public schools, University of Florida experts at ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Blog Community, Camp, Clubs & Volunteers, Events, Professional Development, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: 4-H, 4-H Camp To Go, 4-H Programs, 4-H Summer Camps, Adventure, Adventures, Backyard Fun, Bonnie Wells, Citizen Science, David Hafner, Español, Exploring, Gardening, INaturalist App, Learning Opportunities, Lynsey Occenac, Outdoor Adventures, Science, Spanish, STEM, Summer, Summer Slide, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, UF/IFAS Extension Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, University Of Florida, Vacation, Young, Youth

Study finds early-life biological signals may predict obesity risk decades later

by Jamie Groh
June 10, 2026

Clues to who may develop obesity later in life can be found within the first year after birth, according to new long-term research and co-authored by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences experts.   The ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS
Tags: Angelica Ahrens, Biomarkers, Blog Community, Childhood Obesity, Department Of Microbiology And Cell Science, Early Childhood Development, Featured, Gut Microbiome, Infant Health, Long-term Cohort Study, Machine Learning Health, Metabolic Health, Microbiology Research, News, Obesity Research, Pediatric Health, Preventive Health, Public Health, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, University Of Florida Research
A brown and white cow stands in a field filled with small white flowers, facing the camera, with a line of trees in the background under soft natural light.

$9.5 million gift boosts UF efforts to protect cattle from disease-carrying pests

by Jamie Groh
June 10, 2026

The University of Florida announced a $9.5 million estate gift establishing the Carrie W. Earls Mosquito and Pest Eradication in Beef Cattle Fund, supporting work across UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and College ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Livestock, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agricultural Research, Biting Flies, Blog Community, Cattle Research, College Of Veterinary Medicine, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Donor Gift, Entomology, Entomology And Nematology, Extension, Featured, Florida Agriculture, Livestock Health, Livestock Producers, Mosquitoes, News, Pest Management, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Veterinary Medicine

Study finds robotic mowers improve Florida lawn health while reducing maintenance

by Jamie Groh
June 9, 2026

For many Florida homeowners, lawn mowing can feel like a never-ending chore, especially in the heat of summer. New guidance from experts suggests autonomous or robotic lawn mowers can ease that burden while effectively managing ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Lawn, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Autonomous Mowers, Blog Community, Featured, Florida Homeowners, Florida Lawn Care, Lawn Maintenance Tips, Pest Resistant Lawns, Robotic Lawn Mowers, Smart Lawn Technology, St Augustine Grass, Sustainable Landscaping, Turfgrass Health, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, University Of Florida
This image, featuring the heads of individuals from the soldier caste, is meant to highlight the similarities of appearance across both parental species, the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus), the Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi), and hybrids. Visual identification of hybrid termites can only be done under magnification by experts that are familiar with identification characteristics. Submitting a sample to the UF/IFAS Termite ID Service (TermiteIDServices@ifas.ufl.edu) remains the best option to confirm any suspected samples. Credit: Thomas Chouvenc

Here’s what homeowners need to know about hybrid termites in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
June 8, 2026

Alarming reports of hybrid “super” termites have fueled misinformation, while flooding news outlets across the United States for months. University of Florida scientists are stepping in to help property owners separate fact from fiction. In ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Asian Subterranean Termite, Ask IFAS, Coptotermes Formosanus, Coptotermes Gestroi, Entomology, Entomology And Nematology, Faith Oi, Formosan Subterranean Termite, Hybrid Termites, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Johnalyn Gordon, Nan-yao Su, News, Termite Damage, Termites, Thomas Chouvenc, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida
Caimán de anteojos (Caiman crocodilus) de cuerpo alargado y escamoso, posado sobre un tronco de madera en un entorno natural, con la cola extendida hacia atrás y la cabeza en reposo mirando hacia la izquierda.

El caimán de anteojos invasor en Florida plantea riesgos potenciales para la restauración de los Everglades

by Luz Bahder
June 4, 2026

Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Aspectos destacados Investigadores de UF recopilaron de manera exhaustiva la información existente sobre el ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: áreas Protegidas, Babilla, Caiman, Caiman Crocodilus, Caiman De Anteojos, Centro De Investigacion Y Educacion De UF/IFAS En Fort Lauderdale, CERP, Ecosistema, Español, Especie Invasora, Estudios Genéticos, Everglades, Frontiers Journal Of Amphibian And Reptile Science, Guajipal, Herramientas De ADN Ambiental, Humedales, Impactos Sobre La Fauna Nativa, IveGot1, IVEGOT1 Mobile App, Manejo De Vida Silvestre, Marismas, Mascotas Exóticas, Monitoreo, Patrones De Movimiento, Plan Integral De Restauracion De Los Everglades, Protección Contra Inundaciones, Reportes Del Publico, Restauración De Los Everglades, Sergio Balaguera-Reina, Spanish, The Croc Docs, UF Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, University Of Florida, Vida Silvestre
A spectacled caiman juvenile. UF/IFAS Photo by Jemeema Carrigan

Invasive caiman may pose new challenges for Everglades restoration

by Lourdes Mederos
June 4, 2026

UF researchers pieced together the first comprehensive review of the spectacled caiman, a small invasive crocodile-like reptile. Introduced into South Florida more than 45 years ago, researchers have suspected caimans compete ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Colombia, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Crocodilians, EDDMaps, Environmental DNA Tools, Español, Exotic Pet Trade, Guayana, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Species, Native Wildlife, News, Research, South Florida, Spectacled Caiman, The Croc Docs, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Wetland

Microbiology and Cell Science Students Visit Washington, D.C. in Inaugural ‘Study America’ Trip

by Dana Saunders
May 28, 2026

The inaugural Study America trip included 13 graduate students from both UF’s Department of Microbiology and Cell Science along with participants from the College of Pharmacy. The experience was open to master’s and doctoral students. ... READ MORE

Category: Professional Development,
Tags: Department Of Microbiology And Cell Science, Microbiology And Cell Science, University Of Florida
Un venano cola blanca juvenil en aguas de inundación.

Desde flamencos en el Medio Oeste hasta sapos de huracán: un estudio revela las sorprendentes historias de supervivencia de la vida silvestre frente a los huracanes

by Luz Bahder
May 27, 2026

Creado por Meredith Bauer-Mitchell, especialista sénior en relaciones públicas para UF/IFAS. Aspectos destacados: Los huracanes pueden tener un impacto significativo en la vida silvestre, incluso llevando a algunas especies al borde ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Events, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Afectacion, Animales, Biological Reviews, Ciclones, Ciclones Tropicales, Departamento De Ecología Y Conservación De La Vida Silvestre, Desplazamiento, Destruccion, Devastacion, Fauna, Hance Ellington, Huracanes, Impactos, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Inundaciones, Movimientos, Patrones Recurrentes, Precipitacion, Reaccion, Sobrevivencia, Temporada De Huracanes 2026, Tormentas, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Vida Silvestre, Vientos
Caimán en el agua: primer plano en su entorno natural.

UF/IFAS announces new Director of Fundraising Initiatives role to support Animal Sciences

by Jamie Groh
May 21, 2026

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) today announces the appointment of Mary Ann Hooks as Director of Animal Sciences Fundraising Initiatives, effective June 15, 2026.  This new role will lead ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Academic Leadership, Agricultural Research, Agriculture, Animal Sciences, Development, Extension, Featured, Florida Agriculture, Food Safety, Fundraising, Government Affairs, Higher Education, Land-grant Mission, Leadership Appointment, Livestock Industry, Mary Ann Hooks, Meat Science, Stakeholder Engagement, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department, University Of Florida, Workforce Development

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