UF Research

06/11/2026

Robots may be the secret to better Florida lawns: mowing more often can actually improve grass health compared to weekly cuts.

“The simple question was, can a robotic or autonomous mower’s lower cut height at 2.4 inches maintain hardy St. Augustine grass?” said Bryan Unruh of University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences —and new research shows they can, producing denser, more pest‑resistant turf while reducing labor and emissions, with added precautions for fire ants and lightning around docking stations.

05/15/2026

🎢 Are roller coasters as risky as they feel?

A new look at ride safety shows the opposite: despite their speed and intensity, roller coasters are remarkably safe, with only about a 1 in 15.5 million chance of serious injury per ride.

Brian Avery, a senior lecturer in the UF Department of Sport Management and roller coaster safety expert, explains that modern rides are built with multiple layers of safeguards, though following safety rules and personal health guidelines still matters.

📰 Read more: https://ow.ly/KAcI50YZwPV

05/12/2026

The UF Health Craniofacial Center leads statewide care for infants born with cleft lip and palate, providing early intervention that improves feeding, guides facial growth and reduces the need for future surgeries.

Using techniques such as presurgical infant orthopedics and advanced in‑house nasoalveolar molding (NAM fabrication), clinicians gradually align tissues to prepare babies for optimal surgical outcomes. This coordinated, multidisciplinary approach supports families through a treatment journey that spans from birth through adolescence.

05/07/2026

The Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute at the University of Florida is advancing the future of hospitality through research in AI, robotics and Big Data. Its work helps businesses innovate, improve guest experiences and make smarter decisions in an increasingly tech‑driven travel landscape.

05/06/2026

As an Atlantic cruise ship remains isolated off the South African coast due to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, the world watches with anticipation to learn more about this uncommon but dangerous infectious disease.

EPI members Safder Ganaie, Ph.D., John Lednicky, Ph.D. and Amy Vittor, M.D., Ph.D. explain the symptoms, transmission and treatment behind this rare virus.

Click the link to learn more: https://go.ufl.edu/gm8pdoc

05/06/2026

4 likes, 1 comment. "The Whitney Marine Research Center Ribbon Cutting"

04/29/2026

The University of Florida Research Foundation has named 34 faculty members as UFRF Professors for 2026, recognizing their outstanding research excellence and impact across the University of Florida.

Since 1997, UFRF Professorships have honored more than 1,000 UF researchers whose work advances discovery, creativity, and innovation worldwide. Recipients are selected through a peer‑driven process and receive support funded by UF‑generated innovation revenues.

Thank you for your leadership, scholarship, and commitment to research that benefits society. We look forward to celebrating you at a university event later this year! https://news.ufl.edu/2026/04/ufrf-professors/

The University of Florida Research Foundation (UFRF) has recognized 34 faculty members as UFRF Professors for 2026, honoring them for work that advances discovery, creativity and innovation across the university.

04/24/2026

Doctors and patients across social media are reporting a kind of emotional flattening while on GLP-1 drugs.

04/23/2026

Elias Sayour’s experiences treating children with harsh, often ineffective cancer therapies pushed him to search for better, gentler options. That led him to pioneering work on mRNA cancer vaccines, ultimately revealing their potential to awaken the immune system and improve patient outcomes.

Cancer patients who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting an immunotherapy treatment for advanced forms of lung cancer or melanoma liv...