GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The oyster lover’s axiom of edibility — that this shellfish is safest to eat in any month with an “r” in it — may soon become somewhat of a culinary anachronism, thanks to a new food-safety test developed with help from the University of Florida.

Oysters are typically considered safest to eat in cooler months (September through April) because the shellfish-infecting bacteria in the genus Vibrio flourish best in warm temperatures.

A dissertation by doctoral student Jim Porter about who was most likely to defend students from bullying was the subject of a May 6 column on ABC News.com. The column was the result of a News Bureau news release.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Playground bullies may meet their match from where they least expect — in the ranks of kids who are anti-bullies — and most of them are girls, a new University of Florida study finds.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, will speak Monday at the University of Florida’s Graham Center for Public Service on the need for a new national labor policy.

The talk will take place at 7 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora. It is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Harn Museum of Art and Florida Museum of Natural History are joining together once again to celebrate Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18. The free event features crafts, painting demonstrations, live music, a dance performance, educational presentations and organic food.

The Harn Museum of Art is offering a number of programming opportunities, including an informative lecture at 11:30 a.m. about how to make your household energy efficient.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Nancy Chrystal-Green, director of the University of Florida Center for Student Activities and Involvement in the Reitz Student Union, received the National Service Award at the 2009 National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Annual Conference.

The award recognizes the outstanding contributions of individual members to NIRSA. Additionally, the award acknowledges exceptional performance and dedication, which encourages creativity, innovation and a standard of excellence in professional achievement.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning will host the National Academy of Environmental Design’s Water and Sustainability Symposium Feb. 16-17. The symposium will bring academics and professionals in the design field together with scientists and engineers to identify needed legislation and other action for reducing water demand and improving water flow and quality.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Twenty-five internationally-known scientists will gather at the 11th Biennial Free Radical Underground Symposium to discuss the latest findings in important health-related topics linked to muscle wasting and weakness. The conference, hosted by the University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance will be held Jan. 22-23, at the Reitz Student Union.

Law professor Michael Seigel was quoted in a Jan. 15 Fort Myers News-Press story about the possibility of a convicted swindler negotiating for a lighter sentence.

Shark expert George Burgess was quoted in a Jan. 14 Seattle Times story about the popularity of shark-diving trips despite their potential danger.