COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M is dropping out of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl set for New Year’s Eve due to COVID-19 and other issues.

“It is unfortunate, but we just don’t have enough scholarship players available to field a team,” Aggie head football coach Jimbo Fisher said in a statement.

In a news release, the university said the Aggies couldn't "safely" field a team because of the combination of COVID-19 issues and season-ending injuries.

“It is heartbreaking for our players, coaches, staff, and fans that we are not able to play in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl,” said Texas A&M Director of Athletics Ross Bjork. “Post-season football is the pinnacle of the season and when the opportunity is lost, it hurts on many levels.

According to ESPN, the No. 25 Aggies (8-4) were to play in the bowl game on Dec. 31. They were expected to travel to Jacksonville on Sunday.

The sports media outlet reported that Wake Forest Director of Athletics John Currie said five teams have reached out to replace the Aggies.

Doug Myers at KXXV first reported this story.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Two sororities at Texas A&M University are forced to quarantine after having been exposed to COVID-19.

The university announced the activities and members of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Delta Delta Delta are experiencing exposure to the virus.

Texas A&M has initiated chapter-wide quarantine and contact tracing for those who live in the sorority houses or elsewhere and were in contact.

The chapters have been responsive and are responsibly following required steps to continue operations, according to the university.

Students, faculty, or staff who receive a positive diagnosis or believe they have been exposed to a positive case must complete a form through the university's reporting portal.

Gatherings have also been restricted to 10 or fewer people.

Texas A&M kicked off the fall semester both online and in-person on August 19.

This story was first reported by Sydney Isenberg at KXXV in Waco, Texas.

A small device could one day be an alternative to gastric bypass surgery for people who are dangerously overweight.

Researchers at Texas A&M University created the device that is implanted into the patient's stomach. It makes you feel full by using light to stimulate the nerve endings that control hunger.

The device is controlled by a remote source, much like a pacemaker.

The lead researcher behind the device says it could be a safer option than a more invasive surgery.

“Gastric bypass surgery is the most popular approach to treat obesity. The thing is, it’s not a cost-effective solution, plus it involves side effects,” said Sung Il Park at Texas A&M University.

He says his team also gained a better understanding of how our body feels hungry.

Conventional wisdom is when the stomach expands, signals are sent to the brain that a person is full.

Park's team found it is possible to stimulate those nerves to make the body feel full, even when the stomach is empty.

“To be able to activate and manipulate individual neurons, we have to express light sensitive protein to the targeted region. So, such related research is ongoing,” said Park.

He says so far, they haven't found any technical problems with the device.

He says it could be a few years before it might be available for widespread use because they still have more research to do. And then it must go through the Food and Drug Administration’s approval process.