Life Articles

August consumer sentiment rebounds as inflation rate slows

Consumer sentiment among Floridians increased for a second month in a row in August to 65.2, up 4.1 points from a revised figure of 61.1 in July. Similarly, national consumer sentiment surged 6.7 points.

Smartphones push us to prefer customized products

Using our smartphone — but not a borrowed phone — makes us more likely to choose products tailored to our style.

UF partners with local and national agencies to offer interactive outdoor experiences for kids

Track Trails, a network of family-friendly outdoor adventures that engage children with nature and promote healing and wellness,  offer interactive outdoor activities in Gainesville.

Navigate AI in hiring to land your dream job

Career coaches share how to get past AI-driven ATS resume readers and how to prepare for AI interviews.

Hey Chatbot, tell me how kids can learn about AI

AMBY, which stands for AI Made By You, was piloted this summer as a part of Camp DIALOGS, an NSF-funded project aimed at making AI and computer science more accessible, particularly for students in lower-income areas. 

July consumer sentiment continues to rise despite high inflation

Consumer confidence among Floridians increased in July four-tenths of a point to 61.4 from June’s revised figure of 61. Similarly, consumer sentiment at the national level increased in July. 

Historic first as Mary McLeod Bethune statue installed at the U.S. Capitol

Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights activist, is the first Black person selected by a state for National Statuary Hall.

Gardening can cultivate better mental health

New research published by UF scientists suggests that many people may indeed reap mental health benefits from working with plants — even if they’ve never gardened before.

Consumer sentiment increases despite record inflation in June

Consumer sentiment among Floridians ticked up for the first time in 2022, up 2.1 points in June to 62.9 from a revised figure of 60.8 in May. In contrast, national consumer sentiment sank to its lowest level on record.

May consumer sentiment falls to near Great Recession levels

Consumer sentiment in Florida deteriorated for a second month in a row in May to 61.5, down 2 points from a revised figure of 63.5 in April. May’s reading is the fourth lowest level on record and is only 2.7 points above the record low of 58.8 from June 2008.

When animals are injured during storms, this UF team is there to help

The UF Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service disaster response team, made up of veterinarians, emergency responders and students from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine is bracing for another hurricane season in Florida.

Are you ready for a hurricane? How to prepare for Florida storm season

Whether you’re new to Florida or need a refresher on how to prepare, UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is here to help you prepare for storm season.

Ukrainian president to outline higher education vision

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak and engage in a Q&A about how America’s leading research universities, including the University of Florida, and Ukrainian officials and educators can work together to help rebuild and transform his country’s decimated higher education sector.

Alumna wins national award for work promoting human-animal bond

Dani McVety-Leinen won the 2022 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award, one of veterinary medicine's highest honors. She graduated in 2009 from the College of Veterinary Medicine.