UF Health Podcasts

Pet food labeling is regulated at the federal and state levels to ensure product safety, but there are key differences in how human food and pet food are labeled, contributing to consumer confusion about what they’re really feeding their animals. On this archive episode of Animal Airwaves Live, Dr. Richard Hill, a veterinary internal medicine and nutrition specialist at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, explains key differences in pet and human food labeling, how to understand what to look for, and what’s most important to keep in mind when choosing a pet food to ensure your dog or cat is receiving optimal nutrition to meet dietary needs.

Ever looked at a photo of a river and instinctively known you would be able to swim in it? Or seen a trail on your drive to work and thought, “I could walk there”? It’s a neat trick our brains do without us consciously asking them to — and one that AI struggles to emulate.

A new study from researchers in Amsterdam shows that our brains automatically recognize “affordances,” a term used to describe opportunities for action, when we look at scenes in the world around us. Common ways this manifests might include the knowledge of climbing stairs or cycling down a path, or even being aware when you should not move forward.

Using MRI scans, researchers tracked brain activity while participants viewed photos of various settings, like mountain trails and city streets. Then, they pressed buttons to indicate how they thought they could move through each scene. Even without explicit instruction to think about moving, participants’ brains still lit up in ways that suggested they were evaluating different possibilities of action.

Specifically, parts of the visual cortex activated based not only on what the participant saw, but what they could envision doing. So, while you’re looking at that forest trail, your brain is already considering your next step — literally.

The kicker? Researchers also tested how well AI models performed at the same test. The result? Not great. While AI could label objects, it struggled to “see” what humans see: action, movement, potential.

Why does this matter? Well, as we build AI for real-world tasks, like disaster-response robots or self-driving cars, understanding how we move through space has the potential to make systems more efficient … and more like how a human would behave.

July is the peak of the heat. The month brings the scorching “dog days” of summer, a season of perspiration.

When most of the northern hemisphere isn’t taking refuge in air-conditioned places, it’s a time many of us spend outdoors, at barbecues, pool parties or trips to the beach.

Hence this reminder that July is also UV Safety Month.

Ultraviolet rays cause most skin cancers. Groups like the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society offer plenty of tips for protecting yourself from the sun’s penetrating rays.

First, the basics: Find the shade and stay in it when you can. Wear clothing that protects you from the sun and liberally apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. And reapply as the manufacturer’s instructions suggest.

There’s more to it than that, of course.

Know that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If you’re in or on the water, sand or snow, the sun’s rays will be reflected and more intense. Protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses and wear UV-blocking clothing. Rule of thumb: If you can see through a garment, it’s too sheer to protect you. For those with the fairest complexions who are most vulnerable to the sun, some companies make clothing that’s both comfortable and protective.

Even on a cloudy day, UV rays still cause problems. Watch for forecasts that include a UV index. In general, the higher the number, the more caution you need to take.

So, get your sun-protection game in order this month and get through summer safely. And don’t forget to put sunscreen on your ears. They burn, too.

The next time you curse out the driver who cut you off or mutter expletives at the speed demon next to you, consider the fact that the driver might be a sleepy teen.

A National Sleep Foundation study found that the large number of teens who drive while tired poses a serious health concern.

The study surveyed U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 to assess the prevalence, frequency and perceived risk of drowsy driving. They were asked if they had driven while so tired they struggled to keep their eyes open and how often. They were also asked about their beliefs on drowsy driving and what prevented them from getting the necessary sleep to stay alert.

The study found that 1 in 6 teen drivers reported having driven while drowsy and estimated that over 400,000 teens drive drowsy at least once a week. Those with paying jobs were twice as likely to admit to drowsy driving compared with teens who didn’t work.

The study also found that 95% of teens agree that drowsy driving is risky, but they ranked it as having the lowest risk of death or serious injury behind drunken, drugged and distracted driving. In reality, drowsy driving accounts for a large portion of crashes. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 21% of fatal crashes involve a drowsy driver.

Study participants blamed work and school schedules for their lack of sleep. Researchers found that these time demands mean about 1.7 million teens have driven droopy-eyed and are at greater risk for drowsy driving-related consequences.

Vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among U.S. teens, but accidents caused by drowsy driving are preventable.

Before your teen hits the road, make sure they hit the hay.

Ulcerative colitis is one of those chronic conditions that doesn’t just cause discomfort — it can deeply disrupt daily life, with symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea and weight loss.

Now, scientists may have found a surprising potential ally in the fight: the strawberry tree, a traditional Mediterranean plant more commonly known for its fruit than its medicinal power.

In a recent study, researchers gave lab rats an extract made from strawberry tree fruit (likely not the strawberries you’re used to picturing) and found that it significantly protected against a form of colitis, that, for the purposes of the study, mimicked the sort found in people. The extract didn’t just reduce visible damage to the colon; it also lowered inflammation and preserved antioxidant enzyme levels. In short, the rats were in better shape after treatment, especially at higher doses.

Initially, researchers put rats into groups, with some receiving different doses of the plant extract and others getting a common anti-inflammatory drug. A third group just water. Those treated with the highest dose of extract saw nearly the same protection as the drug-treated group — 80% versus 75%.

And it wasn’t just about markers of inflammation. The extract also helped maintain the colon’s antioxidant defenses and reduced signs of oxidative stress.

But before you rush to brew strawberry tree tea, it’s worth noting that researchers intend to study this extract in people, too. More research is needed before we can say if this fruit has a future on the pharmacy shelf. For now, it’s a promising start — with a lot left to learn.

Walking up a flight of stairs won’t just get you to the second floor. It might also help get you to your golden years.

The elevator apparently doesn’t stop on that floor.

It’s not surprising that such exercise is healthy. Carrying the groceries up to a third-floor apartment might not sound like a workout at the gym. But taking the stairs works the leg muscles intensively and gets the heart beating faster. And walking up a staircase can be a more convenient way to fit some physical activity into a busy day.

British scientists recently decided to see just how much of a health benefit stair-steppers enjoy. The degree of the boost to the heart in particular raised investigators’ eyebrows.

They analyzed health data from 480,000 adults from their mid-30s into their 80s. The study found that those who habitually climbed stairs were almost 40% less likely to die of heart disease compared with folks who didn’t regularly do so. The risk of dying from any cause was also reduced by 24%.

This was an observational study. So, scientists warn about drawing any conclusions of cause and effect.

One of the study’s authors says the type of movement required to walk up stairs takes nearly 10 times more energy than sitting. Overcoming gravity, they say, is no easy feat. Ask any Saturn Five rocket.

Other exercises like swimming, rowing and bicycling, done vigorously, can probably achieve the same result, the study says. As always, check with a doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen, especially if you face health challenges.

So, don’t pass a stairway by. Save the elevator for the Empire State Building’s observation deck.

With hurricane season in full swing, Dr. Larry Garcia, Clinical Associate Professor and Medical Director of UF’s Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (VETS), is roaring the readiness alert on disaster preparedness and the importance of planning for the safety of pets before disaster strikes. Every tail, paw, hoof and claw deserves a disaster plan that includes evacuation plans, pet-friendly shelters, an emergency evacuation kit and more. Under Garcia, the UF VETS team is composed of experienced professionals who provide disaster response and animal technical rescue in the face of emergencies like hurricanes, disease outbreaks and more. When a state of emergency knocks, UF VETS doesn’t just answer – they show up for our agricultural and animal companions with the boots, brains, skills and strategic expertise to deliver critical logistical support and mutual aid.

Are you feeling sleepy today? Already on your second cup of coffee and still fighting a yawn? You may be inclined to think it stems from tossing and turning on your pillow for hours, but others are beginning to believe that a good night’s sleep begins first thing in the morning … during breakfast.

Foods with the right nutrients can help you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night, allowing you to wake up refreshed and ready to start your day.

As with many other health-related problems, the solution is eating your fruits and vegetables. That’s right — research indicates a balanced, whole-food diet is the most conducive for deep, restful sleep. That means fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fiber and protein. And the lower in saturated fat, the better.

Legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds and beans, which are all good sources of the amino acid tryptophan (trip-toe-fan), benefit you as well. You’ve likely heard of melatonin, key player in falling asleep, you’ll be interested to know that its production relies on tryptophan.

And there’s no shortcuts here: As a supplement, melatonin doesn’t necessarily provide the right dosage to optimize your sleep. Like most naturally occurring vitamins, nutrients work best when paired together, and supplements often supply the nutrients by themselves.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a breath. You don’t need a massive overhaul of your life to sleep better. Small changes geared toward a healthier life are often additive. Adjusting one meal here and another snack there can make a great difference … one night of sleep at a time.

You might want to sit down for this. It turns out, while too much sitting can be bad for your health, not all kinds of sitting are equal.

How’s that? We’ve all been told that sitting too long raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems. But research suggests that leisure-time sitting has a greater risk of heart disease than sitting at work.

For more than eight years, Columbia University researchers followed nearly 4,000 people who reported how much time they spent sitting at home and how much they sat at work. They also reported how much time they spent exercising each week.

Those who watched TV for four or more hours a day had a 50% greater risk of heart problems and death compared with those who spent less than two hours a day in front of the TV. But those who sat the most at work had the same health risks as those who sat the least.

The difference appears to be what you do when you’re not sitting. Even moderate exercise like walking cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes for those who spent the most time sitting around at home. And those who exercised the recommended 150 minutes or more each week had no greater health risks even if they were glued to the tube for four or more hours a day.

The researchers said it could be that people who watch TV for hours rarely get up, while those at work move around more. Any kind of exercise, even walking around at work, is beneficial.

As for those workers who can’t get up and stretch, like truck drivers, the key may be to offset those down hours with as much physical activity as possible. What you do outside of work may be what really counts.

It takes a microbiologist to answer this one. For good hygiene and health, what is better, showering in the morning or the evening?

Think there isn’t a difference? Not according to science.

Primrose Freestone, a clinical microbiologist from Great Britain, notes in a recent online essay published on the website, The Conversation, that mornings are best for keeping squeaky clean. You can try to “wash the day away” right before bed as a coping mechanism for a stressful day.

But Freestone says you’ll wake up a little less clean.

First off, a shower is never a bad thing. Take one at 7 a.m. or midnight or any other hour. Whatever the time, you’ll wash dirt and oil from your skin. And that will help prevent skin rashes and infections, reduce sweat and keep body odor at bay.

Freestone notes that odor isn’t actually caused by sweat. She says sweat is actually odorless. The real culprit is the bacteria on our skin.

Showering at bedtime won’t do anything for any sweating during sleep. Whether it’s hot or cold, humans do this. We can’t help it. So, even if you’re freshly showered, skin microbes are going to digest that sweat and cause body odor.

You also leave microbes on the bedsheets. Unless you are changing the sheets each night, that compounds the problem, especially as it accumulates over several nights.

A morning shower, by contrast, washes away the sweat and bacteria you’ve slept with.

Is it the end of the world if you keep to a nocturnal wash? No, of course not. But Freestone suggests regularly changing the bed linen regardless of your routine.

Either that, or take two showers a day.