ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida’s mangroves act as a shield for our coasts against potential storm damage, while also serving as a home for wildlife like various types of fish and other sea creatures.

Researchers at UCF are finding ways to protect this natural barrier from a deadly disease that’s attacking them.

Melissa Deinys, an undergraduate student and researcher at the University of Central Florida, along with Jorge Pereira, a graduate research assistant are the main people behind this project.

The disease that is harming these trees is not named but scientists have been calling it “Mangrove CNP.” It’s caused by fungi pathogens that become deadly when activated.

The researchers are working on a “nutritional cocktail” made up of nanoparticles that would be used to strengthen the tree as well as fight off the pathogens that are causing harm.

It is estimated that there are over 600,000 acres of mangrove forests that help protect Florida’s southern coastal zone and other areas around the state, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

There are three main types of mangroves found in Florida with the most well-known being the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle).

Deinys was in Miami in 2019 when she first identified that Mangrove CNP was causing mangrove trees to start dying.

The Marine Research Council later tested her theory and verified her findings, according to UCF.

Deinys and other groups started testing more mangroves and found that around 80% of the mangroves they sampled had tested positive for one or more of the fungi pathogens that were affecting these trees.

Most of these Fungi are dormant but get activated when the trees are exposed to certain environmental factors such as temperature changes, various insects, and other types of diseases that attack other trees and plants.

The research for this project is taking place over at the Materials Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) center at UCF through UCF Professor Swadeshmukul Santra.

As of right now, there is no cure for Mangrove CNP, but researchers say the special nutritional cocktail is one of the best ways to help combat the disease killing off the trees.

You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below:

ORLANDO, Fla. – A new Universal Orlando ticket deal for Florida residents is giving unlimited visits to both theme parks through the end of the year.

Universal Orlando Resort announced the “Florida Unlimited Days Ticket” that will let guests visit Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios through Dec. 18.

You’ll be able to use the ticket to “enjoy the fan-favorite seasonal events and offerings that are included in park admission, like Universal’s destination-wide Holidays celebration, which kicks off on November 22 and features Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular and more.”

This offer excludes separately ticketed events, like Halloween Horror Nights.

You can buy it for $199, plus tax.

Click here to check it out.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:

The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots. Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Thursday, July 25, 2024

Winning Cash4Life numbers from July 25 drawing

11-12-29-52-60, Cash Ball: 03

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from July 25 drawing

Midday: 10-16-21-23-30

Evening: 01-09-11-17-24

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 25 drawing

Morning: 03

Matinee: 11

Afternoon: 06

Evening: 07

Late Night: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 2 numbers from July 25 drawing

Midday: 0-4, FB: 6

Evening: 4-5, FB: 3

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 25 drawing

Midday: 4-0-0, FB: 6

Evening: 3-8-0, FB: 3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 25 drawing

Midday: 4-4-7-3, FB: 6

Evening: 9-9-8-9, FB: 3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from July 25 drawing

Midday: 4-0-4-8-2, FB: 6

Evening: 5-5-0-3-9, FB: 3

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

• Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
• Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
• Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.

You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.

Florida law requires public disclosure of winners

If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:

• Full name
• City of residence
• Game won
• Date won
• Amount won
• Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.

When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
• Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
• Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
• Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
• Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
• Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
• Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.