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Extracts Research Briefs Beyond Bones The University of Florida is a world leader in the development of non-invasive medical imaging technologies that provide doctors with ever-clearer views of what's going on inside a patient's body, allowing them to diagnose illnesses earlier and better. Flashpoint As participants in the development and application of the Advanced Photon Source, University of Florida faculty will have access to the world's most powerful source of scientific X-rays to conduct experiments in a wide variety of disciplines, from materials science to medicine. Exchange Technology Transfer About Face The UF Craniofacial Center has helped lead the way to worldwide collaborations on new techniques for treating cleft lip and palate, a physically and emotionally disfiguring birth defect that affects one in every 750 babies. Crisis Politics `96 University of Florida political researchers say it will be a frustrated populace, adjusting to a changing world and discovering the opportunities and threats of a technological revolution, that chooses America's next president this November. Senior Boom UF's consolidated Institute for Gerontology carries on a tradition of gerontological research that began when the baby boomers were still babies.   Excerpts New Books

Explore: Research at the University of Florida is published each March and September by the Office of Research, Technology & Graduate Education at the University of Florida. The magazine seeks to inform readers about the economic and social benefits of the more than $200 million in research being conducted by UF faculty and students annually and to promote a greater understanding of the connection between research, technology and graduate education. For more information about the research program, contact Vice President for Research Karen A. Holbrook, Ph.D., 223 Grinter Hall, Box 115500, Gainesville, FL 32611-5500 (Phone: 352/392-1582). For details about research highlighted in this issue, contact the editor or the researchers directly. The publication of Explore is not financed by state-appropriated funds. Opinions expressed do not reflect the official views of the university. Use of trade names implies no endorsement by the University of Florida. (c) 1996 University of Florida. For permission to reprint any part of this magazine, contact the Editor, Explore magazine, Box 115500, Gainesville, FL 32611-5500 (Phone: 352/392-1582). e-mail: explore@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu Visit the Explore homepage on the World Wide Web: http://www.research.ufl.edu/publications/explore/ Editor: Joseph M. Kays Design: News & Public Affairs, University of Florida Printing: StorterChilds Printing, Gainesville

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Expressions Turned Trees photo by Ray Carson The University of Florida School of Forest Resources and Conservation is the proud owner of two remarkable collections of turned wood --- one donated by the late Raymond J. Pontzer Sr. of St. Petersburg, Fla., and the other donated by the family of the late George L. Polk of Homestead, Fla. Polk was a pioneer developer of Dade County, where he lived from 1918 until his death in 1972. He devoted countless hours to his hobby of turning wood from native Florida trees like orange, cedar, camphor, mahogany and avocado into delicate plates, bowls and cups. Pontzer spent more than 60 years manufacturing first wooden radio cabinets then other architectural wood products. He began turning wood plates in the mid 1950s and the collection grew to more than 500 plates, including 108 from Florida trees. Pontzer donated his collection of plates and slides illustrating the flowers, fruit and foliage of the trees from which they were turned to the School of Forest Resources in 1972 for use in the education of foresters and wood utilization specialists. Both collections are housed in Newins-Ziegler Hall on the UF campus.