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GAINESVILLE, Fla. » Peter Ifju, foreground, an aerospace engineering associate professor at the University of Florida, demonstrates the video capability of a micro-aerial vehicle, or MAV, on Tuesday, July 23, as Graham Whitaker, a summer intern from Hillsborough High School in Tampa, dons a pair of virtual reality "video glasses" to view the image from a tiny camera mounted on the plane. The image also is visible on the screen to the right. Ifju and other Florida researchers are developing MAVs as tiny surveillance craft for soldiers to carry and deploy on the battlefield. The project is funded in part by U.S. Army Special Operations. (UF Photo by Ray Carson) |
It's A Bird, It's A Plane ...
GAINESVILLE, Fla. » So-called "micro-aerial vehicles," or MAVs, have been a hot area of research for several years. But UF researcher Peter Ifju’s work is distinguished by his rapid progress. His latest model: A 5-inch, lopsided oval-shaped craft equipped with a nearly silent electric engine. Even fully loaded with battery, video camera and transmitter, the plane weighs less than 2 ounces –– yet remains aloft for 10 minutes and ranges half a mile. "Our goal has always been to build mission-capable airplanes," Ifju said. See the full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/tinyplane.htm .
Government Relations VP Named
GAINESVILLE, Fla. » University of Florida President Charles Young has named Dr. Richard Bucciarelli to the post of vice president for governmental relations. The appointment is effective Sept. 1. See the full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/bucciarelli.htm
Deep Breaths, Count To 10
GAINESVILLE, Fla. » School children should receive classroom instruction in anger management just as they do in reading, writing and arithmetic, University of Florida researchers say. A new study finds that classroom harmony improves when all youngsters, not just well-known troublemakers, are taught how to control their outbursts, said Stephen Smith, a UF special education professor. See the full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/angermngmt.htm
Jet Skis, Kids Don't Mix
GAINESVILLE, Fla. » Turning on a dime and reaching speeds up to 65 miles an hour, jet-powered personal watercraft can make the traditional motorboat look downright dull, especially to kids seeking summertime thrills. But University of Florida medical experts warn that children are more likely to be seriously injured in accidents involving personal watercraft, or jet skis, than in accidents with small motorboats. See the full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/wateraccidents.htm .
Getting Antsy With White-Footed Pests
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. » A tiny white-footed ant with a big appetite for sweets is the latest nuisance pest for South Florida residents and pest control operators, but a new bait developed by a University of Florida researcher may help stop the home invaders. Named for their yellowish-white forelegs, the dark-bodied ants are an exotic import from Indonesia. Pest control operators say the ant is difficult to control with regular pesticide sprays, and the insect is spreading rapidly. See the full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/whitefootants.htm .
Researchers Garner Funds For Prenatal Cocaine Study
GAINESVILLE, Fla. » The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded UF medical researchers a five-year, $3.5 million grant to continue studying the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on child development. See the full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/cocainegrant.htm .
At a Glance
Children with diabetes who live outside the Gainesville area now will have increased access to specialized treatment closer to home, thanks to University of Florida health practitioners who are using a dose of the Internet and telemedicine technology to improve their care. The Florida Department of Health’s Children’s Medical Services has awarded a $400,000 grant renewal to UF researchers to expand the Florida Initiative in Telehealth and Education program. See full story at http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2002news/telemedicine.htm .
In The News
Engineering Professor Tim Townsend's research into the environmental hazards of disposing of TVs and computer monitors was featured July 19 on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition." Hear the clip at http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2002/jul/recycling/index.html
Wildlife ecology and conservation Professor Mark Hostetler's research into "bug splats" on cars has been featured in numerous publications nationwide recently, including on the front page of the Wall Street Journal on July 17. See the St. Petersburg Times feature on Hostetler at http://www.sptimes.com/2002/07/30/State/The_science_of_splat.shtml
Pop culture expert Jim Twitchell was featured July 7 in a New York Times article about his research into advertising and consumer culture. See the full story at http://www.nytimes.com .
Two UF botanists were quoted in the July issue of National Geographic magazine. Walter Judd, a botany professor, and David Dilcher, a botany department affiliate who works at the Florida Museum of Natural History, lent their floral expertise in the article “The Big Bloom: How Flowering Plants Changed the World.” See an extract at http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0207/feature6/index.html
Finance Professor Jay Ritter was quoted in USA Today July 30 in a story about IPOs and small investors. See the full story at http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20020730/4316859s.htm
Stephen Holland with UF's department of recreation, parks and tourism was quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution June 28 in an article on high technology and tourism in Orlando. See the full story at http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/business/SEsurvey/28orlando.html
UFactoid
Did you know that...
Distribution of UF ROTC scholarships for 2001-02 was in excess of half a million dollars? Navy and Marine midshipmen made up 71, Air Force cadets 68 and Army cadets 37, for a total of 176 officer candidate enrollees on scholarship.