Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
We Built the First Liquid Rocket Engine in University of Florida History
GAINESVILLE, Florida, March 18 -- The University of Florida issued the following news:
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We built the first liquid rocket engine in UF history
Aidan Mason, Austin Martin, John Bromfield, Andres Villate and Nicholas Hirsch
"Do you want to build a rocket engine?" Those are the words that started this journey 2.5 years ago in the middle of Turlington Plaza at UF. At the time, there was no engine or test stand; they were both concept sketches, clean-sheet designs, CAD models and Excel spreadsheets. Even as freshmen, we knew the opportunity to help build a liquid rocket program from the ground
... Show Full Article
GAINESVILLE, Florida, March 18 -- The University of Florida issued the following news:
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We built the first liquid rocket engine in UF history
Aidan Mason, Austin Martin, John Bromfield, Andres Villate and Nicholas Hirsch
"Do you want to build a rocket engine?" Those are the words that started this journey 2.5 years ago in the middle of Turlington Plaza at UF. At the time, there was no engine or test stand; they were both concept sketches, clean-sheet designs, CAD models and Excel spreadsheets. Even as freshmen, we knew the opportunity to help build a liquid rocket program from the groundup was something we could not pass up.
We came into Florida Rocket Lab (FRL) with a perspective most people share -- that rocket science is reserved for a class of elite super geniuses and is inaccessible to ordinary students. But seeing other university liquid programs showed us how limitless this field is. We knew we wanted to add FRL to that list of elite collegiate programs. What convinced us to stay was how intensely driven the team was. The more we planned for the future and poured time into research and design, the more we realized these goals were actually attainable.
Building a rocket program requires a level of "extreme ownership" over a system. For some of us, that meant building a guidance, navigation and controls team, from the first line of code to a full simulation software suite. For others, it was designing, assembling and testing fluid systems, from the initial igniter verification to the full engine hotfire. Regardless of our areas of expertise, we all recognized early on that FRL was the only place we were going to get such a breadth and depth of experience.
Working on "Sparrow," a 550-pound-force-thrust bipropellant rocket engine, has been an integral part of our time at UF. At first, it was just a few hours a week. But as we rose to leadership positions, our motivation and time commitment rose exponentially. We now spend the majority of our waking hours doing work for the team. Balancing this with schoolwork is difficult; we had to sacrifice hobbies and time. However, the experience gained from designing, building and testing actual liquid rocket engines matters far more to our futures than a spotless transcript ever could.
Nothing is magic. Nothing is too complicated to figure out if you care enough to keep showing up and refuse to quit. We've learned that there's nothing mysterious about rocket engines at all. They are built from parts that can't get too hot and must be strong enough not to burst under pressure. Anyone who spends time understanding the fundamentals can and will build anything they want. As an entirely undergraduate team, we faced a steep learning curve that we overcame through sheer willpower and industry experience from internships.
After two years of dedicated design, manufacturing and testing, we successfully hotfired Sparrow at Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville. Working under the direction of Youngsup Song, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the UF Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, we collaborated to create the design.
Extensive operating procedures and industry safety standards were rigorously followed, and in-house trailer fluids and custom electronics systems performed reliably across several wet dress rehearsals and seven full-duration hotfires without a single failure. With contributions from the combustion devices, fluids, testing, avionics and vehicle engineering subteams, the engine performed nominally -- matching the design thrust exactly.
This milestone represents years of preparation and thousands of hours of development from a team of passionate engineers who refused to give up on an ambitious goal. Hotfiring the first liquid rocket engine in UF history has cemented our place in Gator history.
The most important thing we've learned is that nothing is impossible, provided you put in the time and effort. No matter how insurmountable a task seems, a hundred hours later, it often seems silly that we were once so intimidated by it. We didn't even know how to code or what a matrix was when we got to college, and now we write software and build rockets for a living. This project has forced us to develop real leadership habits -- coordinating people, keeping momentum and representing the group. It has made us more mature and professional engineers.
Our impact goes beyond technical accomplishments. This success sparked rapid growth that allowed us to increase our member count by over 150%. We've developed a comprehensive new-member project to instill the engineering mindset that will prepare Gators for success in all aspects of life. Our mission is to bridge the gap between the new-age space industry and student engineers, ensuring that our legacy is defined not just by what we built but by the people we empowered.
Over this next year, FRL will be building on this momentum to launch "Mirage" as part of the FAR-OUT rocketry competition in May 2026. You can support FRL directly through our donation account at MAE Liquid Propulsion - University of Florida Advancement.
Please contact ufliquidpropulsion@gmail.com so we can verify receipt of your donation or answer any additional questions about the team.
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About the students:
Austin Martin is a fourth-year aerospace engineering student and president of Florida Rocket Lab, whose professional experience includes internships at SpaceX (Falcon 9 launch operations), Relativity Space (Aeon R engine propulsion test) and Impulse Space (Deneb engine propulsion test).
Andres Villate is a fifth-year aerospace engineering student and vice president of propulsion for Florida Rocket Lab. He led the design of UF's first flight-intent liquid propulsion system, contributing to the flight Sparrow injector and Mirage vehicle fluid system, and he interned on design teams for Firefly Aerospace's Miranda and Relativity Space's Aeon R engines.
John Bromfield is a fourth-year aerospace engineering student and vice president of operations for Florida Rocket Lab. He has worked as a test operator for the team for two years, contributing to Sparrow V1 igniter hot fires, hydrostatic testing and injector cold flows. He also worked on engine test cells and military engine testing during two internships at GE Aerospace.
Nicholas Hirsch is a third-year aerospace engineering student with a minor in computer science. He became a member of the vehicle engineering team in 2023 before serving as the guidance, navigation and control team director. Since August 2025, he has served as vice president of flight vehicles, managing the design of FRL's Mirage for the FAR-OUT competition.
Aidan Mason is a fourth-year business administration student and has served as the business director of FRL since October 2025. He oversees the business team, helping everyone reach their financial, marketing and professional development goals.
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Original text here: https://news.ufl.edu/2026/03/rocket-lab/
UNC Charlotte Announces Gift From The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation to Support Women's Athletics
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, March 18 -- The University of North Carolina Charlotte campus issued the following news release:
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UNC Charlotte announces gift from The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation to support Women's Athletics
UNC Charlotte announced today a $250,000 gift from The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation to support the University's Let Me Play initiative, strengthening opportunities for women student-athletes across Charlotte Athletics.
The gift was announced during the Judy W. Rose Let Me Play Luncheon, where Nicole Tepper, chief administrative officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, March 18 -- The University of North Carolina Charlotte campus issued the following news release:
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UNC Charlotte announces gift from The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation to support Women's Athletics
UNC Charlotte announced today a $250,000 gift from The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation to support the University's Let Me Play initiative, strengthening opportunities for women student-athletes across Charlotte Athletics.
The gift was announced during the Judy W. Rose Let Me Play Luncheon, where Nicole Tepper, chief administrative officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainmentand cofounder of The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, served as keynote speaker.
This gift will advance the Let Me Play initiative by enhancing the daily experience of women student-athletes, strengthening women's programs and elevating the visibility of women's athletics at Charlotte. The investment will support student-athlete wellbeing, training environments, leadership development and the continued competitiveness of Charlotte's women's programs.
"We are grateful to David and Nicole Tepper for their generous investment in the future of our women student-athletes," said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. "Their support reflects a shared belief in the power of athletics to develop leaders and open doors for our students long after they graduate from UNC Charlotte."
Charlotte Athletics supports more than 230 women student-athletes across multiple varsity programs, providing opportunities to compete at the highest level while pursuing academic achievement and leadership development.
"This gift strengthens the foundation our women's programs need to thrive," said Director of Athletics Kevin White. "Investments like this provide the resources that allow our student-athletes to compete for championships while pursuing excellence in the classroom and beyond."
The Let Me Play initiative focuses on advancing Charlotte's women's athletics programs through investments in student-athlete health and wellness, program development, engagement and storytelling, which together elevate the profile of women's sports across the University and the Charlotte community. The initiative also helps position Charlotte's women's programs for continued success as collegiate athletics continues to evolve.
The Teppers have long supported initiatives that expand opportunity and leadership development across the Carolinas through Tepper Sports & Entertainment, including the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, as well as The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation. Among other focus areas, their foundation supports initiatives that expand educational opportunity, strengthen communities and create pathways for leadership across the Carolinas.
"Sports give young women the chance to build confidence, develop leadership skills and discover what they're capable of," said Nicole Tepper. "Supporting women student-athletes at UNC Charlotte means investing in future leaders for our city and region, and we're proud to help expand opportunities through the Let Me Play initiative."
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About the Let Me Play Luncheon
The Judy W. Rose Let Me Play Luncheon is an annual networking and fundraising event dedicated to advancing the success of Charlotte 49ers women student-athletes. This luncheon unites community and business leaders to generate crucial financial support, elevate awareness, and provide a meaningful opportunity to engage directly with the women who represent our university in athletics.
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About The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation
Established in 2020, The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation invests capital and expertise to address the most pressing issues of our time through innovative, effective, and nimble solutions with a special focus on community-based projects. While the organization supports a number of initiatives, its core focus areas are food insecurity, basic needs, education, and disaster relief. As its founders and namesakes, David and Nicole Tepper remain fervently committed to addressing societal ails and inequities, both on a national and local scale.
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About UNC Charlotte
More than 32,000 students choose to call North Carolina's urban research university home. As Charlotte's only R1 institution, UNC Charlotte drives innovation and discovery in one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. The University has an award-winning focus on student success, internationally recognized research and creative activity, and a deep commitment to community engagement and cultural vibrancy that makes it one of U.S. News & World Report's Top 75 Public Universities. The Difference is Charlotte.
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Original text here: https://inside.charlotte.edu/2026/03/17/unc-charlotte-announces-gift-from-the-david-nicole-tepper-foundation-to-support-womens-athletics/
Reasons for illegal fishing "more nuanced" than previously thought, international research shows
DARWIN, Australia, March 18 -- Charles Darwin University posted the following news:
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Reasons for illegal fishing "more nuanced" than previously thought, international research shows
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A resurgence of illegal fishing in northern Australian waters is cause for environmental, biosecurity and social concern, and new research suggests the causes of this activity are increasingly complex.
The project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), was conducted by an international team of researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Indonesia's National
... Show Full Article
DARWIN, Australia, March 18 -- Charles Darwin University posted the following news:
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Reasons for illegal fishing "more nuanced" than previously thought, international research shows
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A resurgence of illegal fishing in northern Australian waters is cause for environmental, biosecurity and social concern, and new research suggests the causes of this activity are increasingly complex.
The project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), was conducted by an international team of researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Indonesia's NationalResearch and Innovation Agency, and Nusa Cendana University.
The Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) covers waters from 3 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles off the Australian coast. Illegal Indonesian fishing incursions in the zone have become a pervasive issue in the last five decades, with 361 boats apprehended in 2005 to 2006 alone.
Despite significant investment from the Australian Government in the surveillance, enforcement, apprehension and prosecution of fishers and their equipment, the AFZ has experienced an influx of illegal fishing activity post-COVID.
Of note there were 337 boats intercepted during the 2021/22 financial year, and recent data shows 172 boards were intercepted in the 2024/25 financial year up to January 7, 2025.
Research conducted in four communities of Nusa Tenggara Timur Province, Indonesia found seven behavioural driver categories of small-scale transboundary fishing: economic and livelihood, COVID-19 related, psychological, environmental, cultural and historical, social, and policy and management.
Within these seven behavioural categories are a further 28 associated drivers.
CDU Professor of Environmental Science Natasha Stacey, leader of the project and research team, said the drivers often overlap.
"For example, during COVID-19, economic hardship among fishing communities increased," Professor Stacey said.
"However, financial difficulties alone are not sufficient to entirely explain the strong resurgence of illegal fishing, which was likely prompted by a combination of financial hardship, the discovery of new fishing grounds abundant in sea cucumber, and willing patrons to support such ventures into the AFZ."
Of note, the research incorporated data and perspectives from women on the drivers, risks and impacts associated with their male relatives engaging in the illegal activity, with the results demonstrating how the cycle of this behaviour perpetuates.
"Women research participants expressed that the limited employment or other livelihood options for their menfolk in their communities is a motivating factor to fish in the AFZ," Professor Stacey said.
"Surveillance and compliance policy responses have resulted in forfeitures, apprehensions and prosecutions of thousands of fishers, boats, catches and equipment. But, in general, we conclude that this has not been a sufficient response to stem the tide of incursions.
"Even in instances when authorities successfully 'catch' fishers undertaking illegal behaviour, it is more likely to negatively impact on their households and women further trapping them in debt relationships that will see the fisher crew 're-offend'.
"Our research results highlight the need to move beyond fishers' noncompliance as the main approach to managing illegal fishing, and instead focus on factors which most strongly drive illegal behaviour because of livelihood vulnerabilities within their broader enabling environment."
It's proposed further research should explore what drivers can be addressed through behavioural science and rural livelihood transformative initiatives, with efforts made to co-design a program to address key drivers of illegal fishing.
The project results were recently presented to key stakeholders at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and to the Indonesian government in a report, Towards improved livelihoods for Indonesian fishers in East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, published by the ACIAR.
The project also produced the academic article The behavioral drivers of illegal Indonesian small-scale transboundary fishing in the Australian fishing zone, published in the journal Maritime Studies.
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Original text here: https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/reasons-illegal-fishing-more-nuanced-previously-thought-international-research-shows
Million-dollar Grant Powers Better At-home Prenatal Health Care
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 18 -- The Texas A&M University College of Engineering issued the following news:
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Million-dollar grant powers better at-home prenatal health care
Dr. Hatice Ceylan Koydemir of Texas A&M leads an international team developing an at-home device that could allow pregnant women to quickly screen for preeclampsia.
By Bailey Noah, College of Engineering
A lack of ways to monitor health at home can leave expecting mothers feeling helpless -- especially if complications arise. A particularly dangerous complication is a pregnancy-specific high blood pressure disorder
... Show Full Article
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 18 -- The Texas A&M University College of Engineering issued the following news:
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Million-dollar grant powers better at-home prenatal health care
Dr. Hatice Ceylan Koydemir of Texas A&M leads an international team developing an at-home device that could allow pregnant women to quickly screen for preeclampsia.
By Bailey Noah, College of Engineering
A lack of ways to monitor health at home can leave expecting mothers feeling helpless -- especially if complications arise. A particularly dangerous complication is a pregnancy-specific high blood pressure disordercalled preeclampsia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preeclampsia causes over 70,000 maternal deaths and 500,000 fetal deaths worldwide each year. Preeclampsia is an especially pressing concern in low-to-middle income countries, where rates are significantly higher, according to the World Health Organization.
Dr. Hatice Ceylan Koydemir is leading an international team of researchers to create a point-of-care, at-home device for early preeclampsia detection, with an emphasis on accessibility in low-resource settings where current monitoring options are limited. The research is funded by the Gates Foundation's Global Grand Challenges initiative, which awards grants to the most promising proposals focused on urgent priorities in global health and development.
"I think about how advanced technologies have become, but for women's health, we don't have the same technology to monitor ourselves," said Koydemir, assistant professor in Texas A&M University's biomedical engineering department. "I thought that if we could use similar ideas from the sensor field and microelectronics, why not apply them to women's needs and make it accessible?"
When clinicians identify preeclampsia, rapid medical management and close monitoring are critical. Current methods of diagnosis can be extensive and require blood tests or urine analysis beyond the initial confirmation of high blood pressure. These tests are all conducted in a doctor's office around 28 to 30 weeks into the pregnancy, which can be a barrier for women in low-resource or remote settings.
"If the mother has hypertension, protein in their urine, or other markers, they are considered at risk for this disorder and are managed more closely by medical doctors," said Dr. Sandun Fernando, co-investigator and professor in the biological and agricultural engineering department. "Sometimes, they may have to deliver the baby earlier than expected."
The researchers aim to provide a solution that detects the proteins found in preeclampsia earlier in the pregnancy with the simplicity and turnaround time of a finger-prick blood sugar monitor.
"The goal is for mothers to test weekly at home with a finger prick, report results to their medical doctor and monitor themselves," Koydemir said. "We want to quantify these proteins earlier so you can have more control and treatment options."
The team is working to complete the project in an accelerated timeframe to maximize the device's impact. Koydemir and her lab are creating handheld platforms and sensors, while Fernando's group is working to create synthetic DNA strands designed to bind to the specific target proteins associated with preeclampsia to ensure accurate detection. The groups are also working with Dr. Levent Beker and Dr. Ebru Celik from Koc University in Turkey.
Beyond preeclampsia, Koydemir and Fernando hope that the science conducted for this project could also be adapted for other health challenges, like cancer detection.
"We do a lot of research, but only sometimes what we do has a direct impact on people," Koydemir said. "This is something that, within a few years, will hopefully make an impact not only in developed countries, but specifically in developing countries."
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Original text here: https://news.engineering.tamu.edu/news/2026/03/17/million-dollar-grant-powers-better-at-home-prenatal-health-care/
FAU-FWC Study: Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish Make a Comeback
BOCA RATON, Florida, March 18 (TNSjou) -- Florida Atlantic University, a component of the state university system in Florida, issued the following news on March 17, 2026:
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FAU-FWC Study: Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish Make a Comeback
Study Snapshot: During the winters of 2024 and 2025, widespread "spinning fish" events in the Florida Keys affected more than 80 marine fish species and likely led to the deaths of hundreds of endangered smalltooth sawfish, compounding long-standing declines driven by habitat loss and fishery bycatch. Once common throughout tropical and subtropical Atlantic
... Show Full Article
BOCA RATON, Florida, March 18 (TNSjou) -- Florida Atlantic University, a component of the state university system in Florida, issued the following news on March 17, 2026:
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FAU-FWC Study: Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish Make a Comeback
Study Snapshot: During the winters of 2024 and 2025, widespread "spinning fish" events in the Florida Keys affected more than 80 marine fish species and likely led to the deaths of hundreds of endangered smalltooth sawfish, compounding long-standing declines driven by habitat loss and fishery bycatch. Once common throughout tropical and subtropical Atlanticwaters and historically abundant in Florida's Indian River Lagoon (IRL), the species now survives in only a small portion of its former range. Recovery depends heavily on the availability of intact nursery habitats, where young sawfish rely on shallow, mangrove-lined shorelines for protection and feeding during their earliest and most vulnerable life stages.
Amid these challenges, new research by FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, in collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, provides evidence that the IRL may once again be functioning as a nursery for juvenile smalltooth sawfish. Using acoustic tagging data and verified public reports, the study found that small juveniles showed strong site fidelity to a limited area of the Saint Lucie River, repeatedly using the same habitats across seasons and years under specific environmental conditions. The findings suggest that, despite recent losses, targeted protection and careful water-quality management in these high-use areas could play a critical role in supporting early survival and advancing recovery of this endangered species.
By Gisele Galoustian
During the winters of 2024 and 2025, widespread "spinning fish" events swept through the Florida Keys, impacting more than 80 marine fish species and likely killing hundreds of endangered large juvenile and adult smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). This mysterious phenomenon caused fish to swim in tight circles, lose balance and sometimes die, likely due to environmental stressors or neurotoxins from algae.
These losses dealt a major blow to a species that has already suffered one of the most severe range contractions of any Atlantic marine fish, now persisting only in limited areas of the southeastern United States and The Bahamas.
Listed as the first marine fish under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 2003, smalltooth sawfish were once abundant in Florida's Indian River Lagoon (IRL) but vanished by the 1970s, largely due to fishery bycatch, especially gill nets. Recovery now depends on the protection of shallow, mangrove-lined nursery habitats, where young sawfish find food and refuge during their most vulnerable years.
Against the backdrop of recent mortality events, new research is offering a rare note of optimism. A study by Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, in collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), provides evidence that a historical nursery area within the IRL may once again be supporting juvenile smalltooth sawfish.
Using acoustic tagging technology, researchers tagged seven small juveniles and tracked their movements for up to two years, integrating multiple independent data sources and analytical approaches. The study combined long-term acoustic monitoring with verified reports from the U.S. Sawfish Recovery Hotline. Acoustic receivers deployed throughout the southern IRL and along the Saint Lucie River allowed scientists to document fine-scale movements, seasonal residency, and habitat use across multiple years.
The research was guided by established criteria for identifying elasmobranch nursery habitats and focused on spatial use, site fidelity and environmental factors shaping juvenile distribution within a historically important portion of the species' range along Florida's East coast. Movement data were evaluated alongside environmental conditions such as salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and freshwater inflows, placing sawfish habitat use within a broader estuarine and water-management context.
Together, these complementary lines of evidence created a robust framework for evaluating nursery function and informing future conservation planning in southeast Florida.
Results of the study, published in the journal Fishery Bulletin, revealed that juvenile smalltooth sawfish showed strong site fidelity in the South Fork of the Saint Lucie River, spending as much as 87 percent of their detected days within an area of just 0.4 square kilometers. Juveniles were most often associated with water temperatures between 75 and 84 degrees and salinities of 15 to 30 (ocean water is 35), which are indicative of moderate freshwater inflows.
"These findings provide the first evidence that the Indian River Lagoon is once again functioning as a nursery for this endangered species," said Sarah Torre, first author and a Ph.D. candidate at FAU Harbor Branch. "High-use areas within the broader nursery, such as the upper Saint Lucie River, are essential for the early survival of smalltooth sawfish and underscore the importance of protecting specific habitats to support their recovery. While other coastal species, like juvenile bull sharks, also use broad estuarine nurseries, the strong fidelity of smalltooth sawfish to relatively small sections of the nursery during their first two years is unique."
Seasonal changes in freshwater inflows influenced how juveniles used the system. Stable salinity conditions in the South Fork supported extended residency, while periods of extreme temperature or very low salinity prompted some individuals to temporarily move downstream. The findings suggest that long-term alterations to freshwater management could disrupt these patterns, potentially increasing stress and predation risk for young sawfish during critical developmental periods.
"Even though the Indian River Lagoon is not currently designated as critical habitat for juvenile smalltooth sawfish, our acoustic data and reports from the Sawfish Recovery Hotline confirm that multiple cohorts repeatedly use the Saint Lucie River across seasons and years, meeting established nursery criteria," said Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., an associate research professor and director of the Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Lab (FEC) at FAU Harbor Branch, who serves as Torre's advisor and co-authored the study. "These findings highlight the ecological importance of this region, the need to preserve red mangroves and maintain healthy water quality, and the value of targeted conservation efforts to help smalltooth sawfish reestablish in their historical range."
Findings from the study point to a narrow window of opportunity for recovery. While the repeated use of the Saint Lucie River suggests that suitable nursery conditions still exist within the IRL, the small spatial footprint of these high-use areas also makes them especially vulnerable to changes in water quality, shoreline modification, and altered freshwater management. Because young sawfish concentrate their activity in such limited portions of the system during their earliest years, even localized disturbances could have outsized consequences for survival, recruitment and the long-term stability of the population.
"After the significant losses we've seen in recent years, identifying places where juvenile sawfish are successfully surviving is crucial for the species' future," said Gregg R. Poulakis, Ph.D., senior author and a research scientist at the FWC. "This research gives managers something tangible to work with - specific locations and environmental conditions that are clearly supporting young sawfish. Protecting these areas and managing surrounding waterways with the needs of early life stages in mind could make the difference between continued decline and a slow but meaningful recovery for the species."
Other study co-authors are Andrew K. Wooley, Lukas B. Heath and Dylan M. Yakich, all with FWC; Liberty L. Boyd, Ph.D., post-doctoral researcher at FAU Harbor Branch, and Michael P. McCallister, a Ph.D. student and research coordinator with the FEC lab at FAU Harbor Branch.
This research was funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service under Section 6 (Cooperation with States) of the Endangered Species Act awarded to the FWC.
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Original text here: https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/endangered-smalltooth-sawfish-comeback.php
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin Brings One Pill Can Kill Initiative to Hendrix College
CONWAY, Arkansas, March 18 -- Hendrix College issued the following news release:
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Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin Brings One Pill Can Kill Initiative to Hendrix College
Attorney General Tim Griffin joined Hendrix College leaders and students Tuesday for a press conference and training session as part of the state's One Pill Can Kill initiative, a program designed to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills.
Griffin, a member of the Hendrix Class of 1990, returned to campus to highlight the growing risks associated with illicit opioids and to provide students
... Show Full Article
CONWAY, Arkansas, March 18 -- Hendrix College issued the following news release:
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Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin Brings One Pill Can Kill Initiative to Hendrix College
Attorney General Tim Griffin joined Hendrix College leaders and students Tuesday for a press conference and training session as part of the state's One Pill Can Kill initiative, a program designed to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills.
Griffin, a member of the Hendrix Class of 1990, returned to campus to highlight the growing risks associated with illicit opioids and to provide studentswith practical tools to recognize and respond to potential overdoses.
The visit began with a press conference in the lobby of the Windgate Museum of Art, followed by a student training session in Worsham Hall where participants learned about fentanyl awareness, overdose response, and harm prevention strategies.
As part of the initiative, the Office of the Attorney General provides Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits to participating campuses. Each kit includes a fentanyl test strip, gloves, a safe drug disposal bag, and a pill identification card to help individuals determine whether a drug may be counterfeit.
Hendrix President Dr. Karen Petersen said bringing the initiative to campus reflects the College's commitment to preparing students to care for one another and their communities.
"Educating students about the dangers of fentanyl and other illicit opioids is an important step in protecting lives," said Petersen. "We are grateful to welcome Attorney General Griffin back to campus and are thankful for his leadership in bringing this initiative to colleges across Arkansas. Programs like this give our students the knowledge and practical tools they need to recognize danger, respond in an emergency, and look out for one another."
Griffin said college campuses are an important part of the state's efforts to combat the growing threat of fentanyl.
"Fentanyl continues to pose a serious danger to communities across Arkansas, and education is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent tragedy," said Attorney General Griffin. "Through the One Pill Can Kill initiative, we are working to ensure students understand the risks associated with counterfeit pills and have access to resources that can help save lives. I am especially proud to bring this program to my alma mater and partner with Hendrix in this important effort."
The One Pill Can Kill initiative focuses on educating college students about the prevalence of fentanyl in counterfeit pills and providing resources that help prevent accidental overdoses.
More information about the initiative and fentanyl awareness resources is available through the Office of the Arkansas Attorney General.
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About Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin was sworn in as the 57th Attorney General of Arkansas in January 2023 after serving as the state's 20th Lieutenant Governor from 2015 to 2023 and representing Arkansas's Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015. A graduate of Hendrix College, Griffin leads statewide efforts to protect consumers, uphold the law, and promote public safety, including the One Pill Can Kill initiative, which educates Arkansans about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. He lives in Little Rock with his wife and their three children.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 45 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country's leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
"... Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy." -Hendrix College Statement of Purpose
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Original text here: https://www.hendrix.edu/Arkansas-Attorney-General-Tim-Griffin-Brings-One-Pill-Can-Kill-Initiative-to-Hendrix-College/
All Groan Up: UVA Expert Explains the Sounds of Middle Age
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, March 18 -- The University of Virginia issued the following research news:
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All groan up: UVA expert explains the sounds of middle age
By Bryan McKenzie, bkm4s@virginia.edu
If you catch yourself making peculiar vocalizations when standing up, bending over or mildly exerting yourself, don't think of it as a sign of age; think of it as an involuntary expression of power.
The "middle-aged groan" - the sound somewhere between a grunt and a sigh that folks over 30 make - is the body preparing itself for action, according to University of Virginia School of Education
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, March 18 -- The University of Virginia issued the following research news:
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All groan up: UVA expert explains the sounds of middle age
By Bryan McKenzie, bkm4s@virginia.edu
If you catch yourself making peculiar vocalizations when standing up, bending over or mildly exerting yourself, don't think of it as a sign of age; think of it as an involuntary expression of power.
The "middle-aged groan" - the sound somewhere between a grunt and a sigh that folks over 30 make - is the body preparing itself for action, according to University of Virginia School of Educationand Human Development professor Susan Saliba, co-director of the school's Exercise and Sports Injury Laboratory.
It's the vocalized proof you've lived long enough to have a joint injury or two, and weaker muscles.
"If you're young, if you've never hurt your back or injured a joint, there is what we call a feed-forward mechanism, an automatic contraction of muscles that are really close to joints and stabilize their position so you can follow through and do a motion," Saliba explained.
Part of the feed-forward mechanism is the body's setting of core muscles and the diaphragm in preparation for movement. That may result in an often involuntary, audible expression.
In other words, you groan.
"Your body is actually doing what it needs to do to create a muscle contraction to stabilize all the joints in your spine so that when you bend over or pick something up, you can do it without hurting yourself," Saliba said.
The groan is even heard among the active and healthy, she said.
"At a tennis match, you hear the player grunt in a serve or volley, or the yell - the 'kiai' - in taekwondo and martial arts," Saliba said. "That's designed to create a solid cylinder, an isometric contraction of all the muscles in your core."
You may grunt on occasion in your 20s. You may groan more often in your 30s. By the time you reach middle age, the sound you emit during exertion can become almost a habit. That's because the core muscles involved in the feed-forward mechanism lose strength and tone due to life's variety of injuries, strains and disuse over time.
"Say, for instance, you've had an injury. Or maybe it's just living life, because honestly, that's what it comes down to. There are a lot of things that we've done during our lives that could account for weaker muscles or injuries, especially in your spine," Saliba said.
But wait. There's hope. Physical therapy can help quiet the groan.
"The normal method to work on that is to reteach those muscles how to contract before bending over," Saliba said. "That's what a physical therapist is going to do; spend time retraining those muscles to work in synchrony with the entire movement."
Training the deeper muscles to stabilize the spine, as you did in your teens, can help you bend over and continue breathing while making nary a sound. Ultrasound imaging, biofeedback and exercises can help reinstate the "normal, pre-conditioning" of muscles and the feed-forward mechanism.
"And then, when we advance your exercises, we're teaching you to breathe on top of it, so you can maintain that contraction without having to use all of the muscles that create that exhale," Saliba said.
With therapy, you can repulse the middle-aged groan. But once you start strengthening exercises, you should not stop, lest it return.
"The biggest risk factor for any musculoskeletal injury is the previous injury of that particular joint," Saliba said. "If you've sprained your ankle, you have a higher chance of spraining your ankle than people who have never sprained their ankle. You're trying to retrain the muscles in your brain and your entire neuromuscular system, but it's a lifelong type of thing.
"You want to maintain that strength, and if you don't use it, you're going to lose it," she said. "It's like brushing your teeth. You don't just do it once, and then you're done. You have to do it every day."
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Original text here: https://news.virginia.edu/content/all-groan-uva-expert-explains-sounds-middle-age
