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Events
Diabetes Prevention Campaign for Older People Held in Jacksonville, Florida

Topic(s): Kidney and Urinary System, Kidney and Urinary System
When: January 18, 2005
Where: Yates YMCA, 221 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL
Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Diabetes can be a serious illness, but it is never too late to take action that will prevent it from developing. A campaign, titled It's Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes. Take Your First Step Today. and designed for people at risk for diabetes, will take this message to older people in Jacksonville, Florida. Speakers during the one-day event include James R. Gavin, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the National Diabetes Education Program, and Rev. Sam Kitching, a Jacksonville native who has changed his lifestyle to prevent diabetes. NDEP will be joined in its program by various community organizations and programs in the area.

In April 2004, NDEP launched a diabetes prevention campaign for high-risk audiences, called Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. NDEP is jointly sponsored by NIDDK and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Diabetes Translation, along with more than 200 partner organizations.

Next Steps
For more information about the campaign, contact NDEP Deputy Director TaWanna Berry at (301) 496-3583. Visit the campaign Web site at www.ndep.nih.gov/campaigns/SmallSteps/SmallSteps_nottoolate.htm.
National Wear Red Day: Taking Women's Health to Heart

Topic(s): Heart and Circulation, Women's Health
When: February 4, 2005
Where: Nationwide
Institute: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Friday, February 4, 2005, is National Wear Red Day, a day when people nationwide will take women's health to heart by wearing red. This gesture will show their support for raising people's awareness of the fact that far more American women die of heart disease than any other cause. Wear your favorite red dress, shirt, or tie and help spread The Heart Truth. To help individuals and communities promote National Wear Red Day activities, NHLBI has developed an Online Toolkit available at www.hearttruth.gov. It is full of ideas and resources to help you plan an exciting Wear Red Day activity.

Next Steps
For more information on women and heart disease and ideas on how to raise awareness in your community, visit The Heart Truth Web site at www.hearttruth.gov. To view the Online Toolkit information, click on the link Wear Red Day Online Toolkit.
V I S I O N Traveling Exhibit Visits Sarasota, Florida

Topic(s): Eyes and Vision
When: October 11, 2004-April 30, 2005
Where: G. WIZ Museum, Blivas Science and Technology Center, Sarasota, FL
Institute: National Eye Institute (NEI)

A vision-related traveling exhibit will provide people in the Sarasota, Florida area with an opportunity to learn how the eye and brain work together to create vision. They can also learn how researchers are developing ways to protect our sight from visual disorders and diseases. The 2,000-square-foot exhibit, called V I S I O N, includes 10 interactive modules developed by the Exploratorium in San Francisco. The exhibit has toured since 1993, visiting science museums in 31 cities, and has been seen by more than 5 million people. V I S I O N was developed as part of the NEI's 25th anniversary celebration.

Next Steps
For more information, visit the NEI at www.nei.nih.gov/education/visionexhibit/index.asp or the G.WIZ museum at www.gwiz.org.
Resources
Biological Therapy: Using Your Immune System To Fight Cancer
Topic(s): Cancers, Immune System
Format: Booklet
Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Biological therapy is a type of treatment that works with your immune system. Sometimes called immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier therapy, it is a relatively new addition to the family of cancer treatments that also includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. It can help fight cancer or help control side effects from other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy.

NCI has produced a booklet, Biological Therapy: Treatments That Use Your Immune System To Fight Cancer, to provide patients with essential information as they prepare for biological treatment. It covers the basics, including how the therapy works and the names of common biological treatments. It also supplies potential questions to ask your doctor or nurse and gives links to other resources.
Next Steps
You can order the free booklet by calling toll-free (800) 4-CANCER, or by visiting www.cancer.gov/publications. You can view the booklet online at http://cancer.gov/cancerinfo/biologicaltherapy and can access related promotional materials at www.ncipoet.org.
Group A Streptococcal Infections Explained in Updated Fact Sheet
Topic(s): Infectious Diseases
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Group A streptococcus (strep) infections are caused by a bacterium often found in a person's throat and on their skin. Most infections are relatively mild, such as "strep throat," scarlet fever, or impetigo. Health experts estimate that more than 10 million such infections occur every year. However, on rare occasions, these bacteria can cause severe and even life-threatening diseases, such as necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease.

NIAID has published an updated fact sheet on strep infections that is available on the Web. The fact sheet describes:
The diagnosis, treatment, and complications from strep throat.
The skin conditions impetigo, cellulitis, and erysipelas.
The more severe bacteremia, toxic shock syndrome, scarlet fever, and necrotizing fasciitis.
The fact sheet also talks about latest research and gives Web links to further information.
Next Steps
You can read or download the fact sheet at www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm.
How HIV Causes AIDS: View Updated Fact Sheet
Topic(s): HIV/AIDS
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
The HIV virus uses complex mechanisms to destroy an infected person's immune system and cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. In recent years, scientists have discovered some treatments that help contain the virus, so-called antiretroviral regimens. However, these have yet to completely and permanently suppress the virus in HIV-infected people.

Scientists need to identify and understand the virus's complex mechanisms better so that they can devise effective drugs and vaccines to fight HIV and AIDS.

NIAID has updated its fact sheet on HIV/AIDS, summarizing the state of knowledge in this area and predicting what might lie ahead.
Next Steps
You can view or download the fact sheet at www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/howhiv.htm.
How Scientific Curiosity Leads to Cures
Topic(s): Research
Format: Pamphlet
Institute: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Whether they investigate how medicines work, study the life cycle of bacteria, or crunch numbers in a computer, biomedical scientists across the globe are united by a compelling desire: to better understand how life works. Rather than focusing on a specific disease, these scientists, many of whom are funded by NIGMS, seek to answer important basic biological questions, such as how cells talk to each other, how biological machines fold into their active shapes, and how genes are regulated. Although their studies may not have an immediate impact on our health, such "untargeted" research often leads to new medicines, technologies, and research tools.

The role of basic research is highlighted in a colorful new pamphlet, Curiosity Creates Cures: The Value and Impact of Basic Research that is available free from NIGMS. It includes examples of advances that grew out of basic research, such as drugs to treat diseases ranging from cancer to AIDS; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which provides clear pictures of the body's organs and tissues; and the polymerase chain reaction, a laboratory technique that is the basis of "DNA fingerprinting," which revolutionized criminal forensics.
Next Steps
You can view or order the free pamphlet at www.nigms.nih.gov/curiosity.
How to Learn More About Scientific Research Grants
Topic(s): Cancers, Research
Format: Booklet
Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Applying for a grant to conduct biomedical research can be time-consuming, confusing and generally not as fun as reading a novel. But a successful application brings long-lasting rewards. NCI has created a 71-page booklet titled Everything You Wanted to Know About the NCI Grants Process...But Were Afraid to Ask for both potential applicants and those interested in knowing more about how grant money reaches researchers.

The booklet's discussion relates to the NCI, but the grants process is similar in other NIH Institutes and Centers.
Next Steps
You can read or download the grants booklet by visiting www.cancer.gov/research_funding/grants and clicking on Everything You Wanted to Know About the NCI Grants Process But Were Afraid to Ask. U.S. residents can order this booklet free through the NCI Publications Locator Web site at www.cancer.gov/publications or by calling the NCI's Cancer Information Service toll-free at (800) 4-CANCER. The TTY toll-free number is (800) 332-8615. You can find additional information about the grants process on the same NCI site, including links to basic funding information, forms and instructions, specific grant mechanisms, and other related topics.
Larger Portion Sizes Could Hinder Your Weight Loss Efforts
Topic(s): Food, Nutrition and Metabolism
Format: Web Site
Institute: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Are you finding it difficult to avoid gaining weight? Are you wondering where those extra pounds are coming from? Take the NHLBI's entertaining and educational Portion Distortion Quiz and learn about the ever-expanding sizes of food portions. Today's amounts for favorites such as pizza, muffins, and specialty coffees are compared with amounts available 20 years ago. The interactive quiz asks you to guess the number of calories in today's portions, and then guess the amount of physical activity that is needed to burn those extra calories. Two versions of the quiz are available, each featuring different foods and beverages.

The Portion Distortion Quiz is part of the Aim for a Healthy Weight program offered by NHLBI's Obesity Education Initiative.
Next Steps
To take the Portion Distortion Quiz, visit http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/portion. For more information on controlling body weight, visit the Aim for a Healthy Weight site at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt.
New Alcohol Prevention Web Site for Middle Schoolers
Topic(s): Alcohol / Alcohol Abuse / Alcoholism
Format: Web Site
Institute: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Young people can now access important messages about preventing underage drinking at www.thecoolspot.gov. In November, NIAAA released a new version of The Cool Spot, its Web site for middle school children (11- to 13-year-olds).
"The Cool Spot uses engaging games and graphics to deliver important messages about the risks of underage drinking," says NIAAA Director Ting-Kai Li, M.D. "It's vital to reach this age group, because the younger people are when they start to drink, the higher their chances of developing alcohol problems at some point in their lives."

The Cool Spot's new content is largely based on a curriculum for grades 6-8 developed by NIAAA-supported researchers. The curriculum was used in a large-scale project called the Alcohol Misuse Prevention Study (AMPS).

One AMPS goal was to give young teens a clearer picture about alcohol use among their peers. When teens receive accurate information about peer group drinking habits, they may feel less pressure to drink. Other AMPS goals were to help kids learn skills to resist pressure to drink and to give them reasons not to drink. The Cool Spot incorporates AMPS goals with several interactive features:
"Reality Check" quizzes kids about how much people are drinking and gives data from a recent national survey.
"Peer Pressure Bag of Tricks" helps kids identify common peer pressure "tricks."
"Know your No's" introduces a variety of ways to say no.
Next Steps
You can visit the site at www.thecoolspot.gov. For a detailed description about the site's design and content, read the November 16 news release at www.niaaa.nih.gov/press/2004/Middle-Schoolers.htm.
Read About Turmeric Research, a Deadly Flu Virus, and Bugs After Surgery in Findings
Topic(s): Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Research Discoveries
Format: Magazine
Institute: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Did you know that there's a yellow spice that might help cystic fibrosis patients breathe more easily and that scientists had found the shape of the deadly 1918 "Spanish flu" virus protein responsible for infection? And what is the waxy material that may block bacteria from causing mischief after surgery? These and other fascinating research-related topics are covered in the latest edition of Findings, a free online magazine published by NIGMS.

The October issue of Findings, written in easy-to-understand language, also profiles two scientists and their cutting edge medical research. Bonnie Bassier, Ph.D., spies on luminous bacteria and Ram Sasisekharan, Ph.D., investigates carbohydrates-biological sugar molecules-and how they operate. The publication also has a crossword based on words from the stories.
Next Steps
You can view Findings online or order free copies at www.nigms.nih.gov/news/findings/oct04.
Announcements
African American Students Hear More About the AIDS Epidemic
Topic(s): Community Outreach
When: November 18, 2004
Where: Nashville, TN
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Significant media attention has focused on reports of HIV outbreaks among students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). HIV awareness forums on campus have also called for greater emphasis on HIV prevention messages, including messages regarding HIV vaccine research, for students and administrators at all HBCUs.
Recognizing the role played by national African American leadership, particularly on HBCU campuses, the NIAID HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign recently visited Meharry Medical College in Nashville. There, representatives from the NIAID Vaccine Research Center, the NIAID-supported HIV Vaccine Trials Network, and an African American HIV vaccine trial volunteer partnered with the Nashville HIV Vaccine Trials Unit staff and Community Advisory Board Members to give students and community leaders a briefing on HIV/AIDS. Presentations and remarks highlighted recent developments in HIV vaccine research and the importance of African American community involvement and support. Presenters also tried to dispel common myths about vaccine research and addressed barriers to community education and awareness.
Next Steps
For further information, contact Matthew Murguia at (301) 496-0545.
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
Topic(s): Community Outreach
When: November 10-13, 2004
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dallas, TX
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Students who are mulling over a career in biomedical or behavioral sciences were invited to attend a conference to help them learn more about these fields. This year's Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students attracted an estimated 2,500 undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students.

The conference aims to encourage students to pursue advanced training in the biomedical sciences or behavioral sciences, including mathematics, and to provide faculty mentors and advisors with resources for facilitating student success. During this four-day conference, there are scientific sessions, professional development workshops, poster sessions, exhibits, and many networking opportunities.

The conference is sponsored by the NIGMS Division of Minority Opportunities in Research Program and is managed by the American Society for Microbiology. NIAID's Office of Management for New Initiatives participated in the conference as an exhibitor and recruiter for NIAID.
Next Steps
For further information, call Diane Adger-Johnson at (301) 402-8969. To learn more about the annual conference, visit www.abrcms.org.
Campaign Urging Men to Seek Help for Depression Celebrates Heroes
Topic(s): Mental Health and Behavior, Community Outreach
When: October 12, 2004
Where: NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
Institute: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Depression is a serious but treatable medical condition-a brain disease-that can strike anyone, including men. In America alone, more than 6 million men have depression each year. Research suggests that men are less likely to seek treatment for this illness; data also show that men die by suicide at four times the rate of women.
NIMH welcomed a group of public health heroes to celebrate the success of its Real Men. Real Depression campaign. NIMH Director Thomas Insel, M.D., joined several of the men who first volunteered for the campaign, as did Surgeon General Richard Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., NIH Deputy Director Raynard Kington, M.D., Ph.D., and other early supporters of the effort. NIMH awarded each participant a lapel rosette to recognize their service to the campaign.

The primary message of the Real Men. Real Depression. campaign is that it takes courage to ask for help. These men did ask, and treatment for depression has helped them get back to their jobs, their families, and the activities they enjoyed before they began coping with the symptoms of depression. By sharing their personal stories of depression, treatment, and recovery, these men are helping NIMH reach out to increase public awareness of depression in men, and are making a powerful contribution to helping other men recognize depression.
Next Steps
You can read all about the celebratory event in the NIH Record at www.nih.gov/nihrecord/11_09_2004/story04.htm. Visit the Real Men. Real Depression. Web site for more information about the campaign and depression, at http://menanddepression.nimh.nih.gov.
Conference Encourages American Indians In Science, Engineering, and Technology
Topic(s): Community Outreach
When: November 11-13, 2004
Where: Anchorage, AK
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
As part of its program to encourage American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AISES) to pursue careers in science, engineering, and technology, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society held a conference titled Expanding the Circle. The NIAID Office of Special Populations and Research participated in the conference as an exhibitor and NIAID recruiter.

Approximately 2,000 students, including those in college and graduate school, attended the annual AISES conference, which combined a career fair, panel discussions, and workshops for students, educators, and professionals. AISES is a national, nonprofit organization that was founded in 1977 and offers Through a variety of educational programs, AISES offers financial, academic and cultural support to American Indians and Alaska Natives from middle school through graduate school.
Next Steps
For further information, call Diane Adger-Johnson at (301) 402-8969.
Conference on End-of-Life Issues Available on Webcast
Topic(s): Seniors' Health, End-of-Life Care
When: December 6-8, 2004
Where: NIH Campus, Natcher Conference Center, Bethesda, MD
Institute: Office of the Director (OD)
Improvements in medical science and health care have gradually changed the nature of dying. Death is no longer likely to be the sudden result of infection or injury, but is now more likely to occur slowly, in old age, and at the end of a period of chronic illness. As a result, a demographic shift is beginning to occur that will include an increase in the number of seriously ill and dying people at the same time that the number of caregivers decreases. These ongoing changes present a number of quality-of-care issues that will affect the health care system.

With this in mind, NIH held a State-of-the-Science Conference on Improving End-of-Life Care. The conference brought together researchers and practitioners in various aspects of end-of-life care and research, to examine and synthesize the scientific evidence available to answer five key conference questions:
What defines the transition to end-of-life?
What outcome variables are important indicators of the quality of the end of life experience for the dying person and for the surviving loved ones?
What patient, family, and health care system factors are associated with improved or worsened outcomes?
What processes and interventions are associated with improved or worsened outcomes?
What are future research directions for improving end-of-life care?
The primary sponsors of this conference were the National Institute of Nursing Research and the Office of Medical Applications of Research.
Next Steps
You can view the conference agenda and other information at http://consensus.nih.gov. To view a Webcast of conference open sessions, including the press briefing, visit http://videocast.nih.gov/PastEvents.asp?c=1 and look under the conference start date, December 6.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellows Visit NIH
Topic(s): Community Outreach
When: December 10, 2004
Where: NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
Institute: NIH Office of the Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEODM)
A group of outstanding young Latinos from around the country visited the NIH as part of their education in United States public policy. They were the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's (CHCI) 2004-2005 Public Policy Fellows, who are selected by the non-profit CHCI for an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the public policy area that they choose. CHCI, founded in 1978 to develop the next generation of Latino leaders, is a leading national Hispanic educational organization.

During their NIH visit, the Fellows heard welcoming remarks by NIH Deputy Director Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D., and were educated on the numerous components of NIH through tours of the campus and panel presentations on key NIH issues. These included research currently conducted by NIH scientists within NIH laboratories, grants policies and funding opportunities, science policy, the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, health disparities, and services at the Clinical Center. OEODM coordinated the event.

Representatives from several NIH Office and Institutes spoke on health disparities and how they affect the Latino community. Fellows toured the National Library of Medicine and Clinical Center.

The CHCI Public Policy Fellowship Program has 18 fellows this year, including three graduate fellows focused in the areas of law, public health, and education. Their nine-month work experience is complemented by roundtable discussions, meetings with influential national leaders, leadership training sessions, and a community service project.
Next Steps
You can read about the Fellowship Program at www.chci.org/chciyouth/fellowship/fellowship.htm.
Increasing Diversity in Clinical Trials: Best Practices Symposium
Topic(s): Clinical Trials and Diversity
When: October 2, 2004
Where: Bethesda Marriott Hotel, Bethesda, MD
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Many in the scientific community are working to broaden the diversity of people who participate in clinical trials and help in the quest to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat diseases.

NIAID held a symposium, Increasing Diversity in Clinical Trials: Best Practices, attended by clinical researchers, community physicians, nurse coordinators, community advisory board members, and other health care professionals. They focused on ways to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of clinical trial participants.

Specifically, the symposium aimed to:
Examine cultural issues that affect the recruitment and retention of
minority participants in clinical trials.
Provide researchers, outreach workers, and community educators with effective strategies for outreach, recruiting, and retaining participants from minority populations.

Demonstrate best practices for using electronic resources to identify applicable policies governing clinical trials and human subjects and for identifying funding sources and mechanisms.
Next Steps
You can view the symposium proceedings at www.niaid.nih.gov/healthdisparities/HDSYMPOSIUM/proceedings2.
Viruses, Vaccines and Emerging Health Threats: A Webcast Lecture
Topic(s): Infectious Diseases
When: November 16, 1904
Where: Nationwide
Institute: Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center (CC), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Despite the fierce obstacles to outwitting bacteria and viruses, scientists are working toward producing new vaccinations against illnesses that seriously threaten human health, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. Bringing the public up to date on the latest vaccine research and findings was Gary Nabel, M.D., Ph.D., Director of NIAID's Vaccine Research Center, who spoke as part of the NIH Clinical Center's free Medicine for the Public lecture series.
Next Steps
You can view the videocast of Dr. Nabel's lecture, titled Viruses, Vaccines, and Emerging Health Threats and held on November 16, 2004, at http://videocast.nih.gov/PastEvents.asp?c=998.