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Events

Hear a Special Message During Lung Awareness Month; Topic(s): Cancers; When: November 2004; Where: Nationwide; Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI); In 2004, nearly 174,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer and more than 160,000 will die of this disease. Lung cancer is the nation's leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. It is difficult to diagnose early and is often hard to control. Research is ongoing to find new ways to detect the disease early-when treatment is more likely to help. Most cases of lung cancer, whether in smokers or nonsmokers, are caused by tobacco smoke and therefore could have been prevented.; November is Lung Awareness Month and members of the public can call a toll-free number to hear a special related message produced by the NCI Cancer Information Service. As well as hearing the message, callers can speak with information specialists about lung cancer and other cancer-related topics, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EST).; Next Steps; To hear NCI's message or to speak with information specialists, call toll-free (800) 4-CANCER. ; Large Diabetes Education Conference Coming Up in Atlanta; Topic(s): Diabetes; When: December 7-8, 2004; Where: Sheraton Colony Square Midtown, Atlanta, GA; Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); As part of ongoing efforts to spread information about diabetes, the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is holding its fourth annual Partnership Network meeting, titled Linking Hands Linking Partnerships, LINKS: Learn to Implement NDEP's Knowledge and Successes. The meeting is free and open to the public, and especially encouraged to attend are: Community health educators and providers, representatives from State diabetes prevention/control programs and national organizations, NDEP Work Group members and their organizations, physical fitness organizations and industries, food and restaurant retailers, organizations invested in promoting healthy lifestyles, community-based groups, churches, schools, businesses, community health workers, and health care professionals. NIDDK and the Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention jointly sponsor NDEP with the participation of more than 200 partner organizations.; Next Steps; Registration is free and can be completed online at www.ndeppn2004.org. For further information, visit www.ndeppn2004.org or call toll-free (800) 438-5383. ; Medicine for the Public: Viruses, Vaccines, and Health Threats; Topic(s): Community Outreach; When: November 16, 2004; Where: NIH Campus, Masur Auditorium, Clinical Center Building 10, Bethesda, MD; Institute: Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center (CC); Infectious diseases, such as Ebola, West Nile virus, and HIV/AIDS are caused by viruses that pose a significant threat to human health and raise concerns about bioterrorism. A free public lecture on new technologies for vaccine development and ways vaccines might help us battle emerging infectious disease will be presented by Gary J. Nabel, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The lecture is the final event in the NIH Clinical Center's 2004 Medicine for the Public lecture series. Speakers in the series are physician-scientists working to translate science into medicine. This year, they have examined dietary supplements, the future of medicine, reading failure in America, the biomechanics of human movement, and addiction to medications.; Next Steps; For details about the series, including the final 2004 lecture, visit http://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/about/news/mfp.shtml or call (301) 496-2563. ; New Multicultural Campaign for November's National Diabetes Month; Topic(s): Diabetes; When: November 1, 2004; Where: Nationwide; Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); During November's National Diabetes Month, TV, radio, and print public service announcements (PSAs) are being offered to the media in the hope of promoting diabetes awareness. The PSAs deliver messages in both English and Spanish about the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and the need for patients to control blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. The American Diabetes Association and NIDDK's National Diabetes Education Program are making the PSAs available to state Diabetes Prevention and Control Programs and other interested groups.; NDEP is co-sponsored by NIDDK and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Diabetes Translation, together with more than 200 partner organizations.; Next Steps; To be part of this campaign and to obtain more PSA information or copies, contact Adam Stellato at astellato@hagersharp.com. To contact NDEP, visit www.ndep.nih.gov or call toll-free (800) 438-5383. ; V I S I O N Traveling Exhibit Visits 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 the residents of Florida with an opportunity to learn how the eye and brain work together to create vision and 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 the nation since 1993, visiting science museums in 31 cities and being seen by more than 5 million visitors. 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. ; World Expert in Tuberculosis Control and Vaccines to Give Lecture; Topic(s): Global Health; When: December 6, 2004; Where: NIH Campus, Masur Auditorium, Clinical Center, Building 10, Bethesda, MD; Institute: Fogarty International Center (FIC), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR); A visionary leader in tuberculosis control and vaccines will speak about Health Challenges for Research in the 21st Century at a free public lecture. Lee Jong-wook, M.D., M.P.H., is Director-General of the World Health Organization.; Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Lee led polio eradication initiatives in the Western Pacific, led a global campaign to catalyze the development of new and improved vaccines for children, and built the internationally recognized Global Partnership to Stop TB, a complex public-private coalition of more than 250 international partners.; The lecture is the fourth annual David E. Barmes Global Health Lecture, honoring Dr. Barmes, a special expert for international health in NIDCR's Office of International Health. FIC and NIDCR jointly sponsor this lecture series.; Next Steps; For more information, visit www.nidcr.nih.gov/NewsAndReports/Calendar/CalendarListing12062004.htm. A live Web broadcast of the lecture can be seen at http://videocast.nih.gov.

Resources

Asthma Information and Links Available on New Web Site; Topic(s): Lungs and Breathing; Format: Web Site; Institute: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); There's a wealth of information about asthma on a new Web site that covers symptoms, warning signs of pending attacks, diagnosis, and treatment. The site, produced by NHLBI, also answers frequently asked questions about asthma, such as whether medicines lose their effectiveness over time, if inhaled steroids are dangerous, and can children can outgrow their wheezing in infancy? For people wanting further information, the site provides links to other reliable Web sites, including those in English or Spanish that explain how to check if your child's school is asthma-friendly. Links to NIH asthma research and clinical trials are also provided.; Next Steps; Visit the site at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_All.html.; Fact Sheet Explains Dangers of and Research into Underage Drinking; Topic(s): Alcohol / Alcohol Abuse / Alcoholism; Format: Fact Sheet; Institute: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA); Underage drinking of alcohol is a widespread problem among adolescents. To help people better understand the topic, NIAAA has published a new two-page fact sheet titled Understanding Underage Drinking. The sheet summarizes research findings about the prevalence and consequences of underage drinking.; Next Steps; To order copies of the fact sheet, call the NIAAA Communications and Public Liaison Branch at (301) 443-3860.; Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment: Questions and Answers; Topic(s): Cancers; Format: Fact Sheet; Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI); Hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures of up to 113°F. Research has shown that high temperatures can damage and kill cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to normal tissues. Hyperthermia-also called thermal therapy or thermotherapy-is under study in clinical trials and is not widely available. Clinical trials have focused on treating several cancer types, including sarcoma, melanoma, and cancers of the head and neck, brain, lung, esophagus, breast, bladder, rectum, liver, appendix, cervix, and peritoneal lining (mesothelioma).; To learn more about this experimental treatment, read NCI's free online fact sheet.; Next Steps; To view the fact sheet, visit http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/7_3.htm.; Key Diabetes Education Program Reports on Progress and Future Goals; Topic(s): Diabetes; Format: Web Site; Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); In a step toward helping more than 18 million Americans manage their diabetes, the United States government in 1997 launched the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP). The program has broadened its scope in response to scientific findings, including a strong link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and the ability of high-risk individuals to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.; NDEP's progress and its upcoming goals are documented in a new report, Changing the Way Diabetes Is Treated: An Update on Outreach and Progress 1997-2003. NDEP targets many different audiences through the media, partnerships, and the health care system to reach:; People with diabetes and their families, with special emphasis on racial/ethnic populations.; People at high risk for diabetes and their families, with special emphasis on racial/ethnic populations.; Health care providers.; Payers and purchasers of health care and health care system policy makers.; The general public, including the estimated 5.2 million people who have diabetes but are undiagnosed.; NDEP is sponsored by NIDDK and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Diabetes Translation.; Next Steps; Electronic versions of the progress report can be downloaded from www.ndep.nih.gov/about/about.htm#NDEP_ProgRpt.; Learn More About the Flu from a Revamped Web Site; Topic(s): Infectious Diseases; Format: Web Site; Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); The flu is a hot topic in the media right now and if you want to know more, you can visit an informative Web site, Focus on the Flu. Expanded and relaunched by NIAID, the site spotlights cutting-edge NIAID-supported research and presents graphics designed to aid in understanding influenza research. Visitors can learn about:; Future technologies for the development and manufacture of vaccines, including reverse genetics, cell-culture techniques, and recombinant proteins.; NIAID-supported clinical trials to study herd immunity and the head-to-head efficacy of different vaccines.; New diagnostic techniques for rapidly detecting avian flu strains in the event of a pandemic.; Next Steps; Visit the site at www.niaid.nih.gov/Newsroom/FocusOn/Flu04.; New Web Site Designed Specifically for Older Adults; Topic(s): Seniors' Health; Format: Web Site; Institute: National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Library of Medicine (NLM); A new Web site tailored to the needs of older people is now available to the public. This site is easy to navigate, features large print, and has a "talking" function which allows users to listen to rather than read the text. It covers such topics as cancer, hearing loss, balance problems, and Alzheimer's disease. The site was developed by NLM and NIA.; Next Steps; To view the site and learn about seniors' issues, visit www.nihseniorhealth.gov.; New Web Site Takes the Mystery Out of Genetics; Topic(s): Genetics/Birth Defects; Format: Web Site; Institute: National Library of Medicine (NLM); Answers to genetic questions, such as "How does DNA make me who I am?" or "What does genetics have to do with mad cow disease?" can be found on a new Web site, Genetics Home Reference. Created by NLM for the general public, the site also explains the Human Genome Project, genetic testing, gene therapy, and the genes behind such conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer, and cystic fibrosis.; Next Steps; To view the site, visit http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov.; Pamphlet Reviews Research on Alcohol's Damage to the Brain; Topic(s): Alcohol / Alcohol Abuse / Alcoholism, Brain and Nervous System; Format: Pamphlet; Institute: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA); Heavy drinking may have extensive and far-reaching effects on the brain, ranging from simple "slips" in memory to permanent and debilitating conditions that require lifetime custodial care. Even moderate drinking leads to short-term impairment, as shown by extensive research into how drinking affects driving. A seven-page pamphlet, Alcohol's Damaging Effects on the Brain, produced by NIAAA, examines some common disorders associated with alcohol-related brain damage and highlights the people at greatest risk for impairment. It also reviews traditional and emerging therapies for the treatment and prevention of alcohol-related disorders, and includes a brief look at the high-tech tools that are helping scientists better understand alcohol's effects on the brain.; The pamphlet is part of NIAAA's publications series Alcohol Alerts, which cover a variety of alcohol-related topics. This latest Alert is number 63, dated October 2004.; Next Steps; To view the pamphlet, visit www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm, or contact NIAAA at (301) 443-0596. Order free copies free by mail from the NIAAA Publications Distribution Center, P.O. Box 10686, Rockville, MD 20849-0686.; Radiation Therapy for Cancer: Questions and Answers; Topic(s): Cancers; Format: Fact Sheet; Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI); Radiation therapy uses a certain type of energy-ionizing radiation-to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The therapy injures or destroys cells in the target tissue or treatment area by damaging their genetic material, making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow and divide. Although radiation damages normal cells as well as cancer cells, most normal cells can recover and function properly.; NCI has produced a fact sheet on radiation therapy-also called radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, or irradiation-that the public can access online free of charge.; Next Steps; View the fact sheet at http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/7_1.htm.; Surgery Choices for Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer; Topic(s): Cancers; Format: Booklet; Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI); Surgery Choices for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer is a new resource to help patients understand their breast cancer surgery options and facilitate decision-making. The booklet is designed to explain the different surgery choices-mastectomy, breast-sparing surgery, and mastectomy with breast reconstruction surgery-so that women can weigh the pros and cons of each.; A unique feature is the "Compare Your Choices" chart, an easy-to-use format that presents a balanced view of the surgical options. The chart helps patients compare surgery choices based on multiple factors, including surgery side effects, additional treatments, and the chance of cancer recurrence.; The booklet was developed through a partnership between NCI's Office of Education and Special Initiatives, the National Research Center for Women and Families, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, NCI's and the Department of Health and Human Services' Offices of Women's Health, and NIH's Office of Research on Women's Health at NIH.; Next Steps; Surgery Choices for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer can be viewed online at http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/breast-cancer-surgery-choices. To order free copies, call toll-free (800) 4-CANCER or visit www.cancer.gov/publications. Promotional materials for the booklet are available at www.ncipoet.org.; West Nile Virus Fact Sheet Updated; Topic(s): Infectious Diseases; Format: Fact Sheet; Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); The West Nile virus causes an infectious disease that made its first appearance in the United States in 1999. No specific vaccines or treatments exist for the disease. Faced with a potentially deadly illness spreading quickly across the nation, scientists and public health officials have accelerated research in developing tools to prevent and treat West Nile disease.; NIAID has updated its West Nile virus fact sheet to reflect new details about vaccine trials, the number of drugs screened to treat the disease, research projects, and statistics.; Next Steps; To view or download the fact sheet, visit www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/westnile.htm.

Announcements

Diabetes Education Program Receives Two Awards; Topic(s): Diabetes; Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) recently received two SABRE Awards in recognition of its effective work in spreading information about diabetes control and prevention. These awards, based on a global competition, recognize superior achievement in branding and reputation, and emphasize a communication campaign's ability to produce real, measurable results. NDEP received a Certificate of Excellence for each of the following products:; Get Real, a television public service announcement that focused on how diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful.; Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed, a guide designed to empower school personnel, parents, and students, and help create a safe learning environment and equal access to educational opportunities for children with 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 further information about the awards, visit www.ndep.nih.gov. To contact NDEP, visit www.ndep.nih.gov or call toll-free (800) 438-5383.; ; Four NIH Grantees Win 2004 Nobel Prizes; Topic(s): Research; When: October 4, 2004; Where: Bethesda, MD; Institute: Office of the Director (OD); Four NIH grantees became Nobel laureates during the first week of October. Since 1939, a total of 115 Nobel laureates have been supported by NIH.; Richard Axel, M.D., of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) at Columbia University and Linda Buck, Ph.D., an HHMI researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, were honored for their discoveries concerning "odorant receptors and the organization of the olfactory system." In 1991, they reported the discovery of a large family of receptors selectively expressed in olfactory neurons, which are the cells that detect specific odors.; Two of the three scientists who shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry are also NIH grantees: Irwin Rose, Ph.D., of the University of California, Irvine, and Avram Hershko, M.D., Ph.D., of the Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) in Haifa. They shared the Prize with Aaron Ciechanover, Ph.D., also of Technion. Drs. Rose, Hershko, and Ciechanover won "for the discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation." Understanding how cells maintain internal balance by regulating protein degradation is crucial for knowing how this balance is disrupted in disease.; Since 1954, NIH has supported the work of 34 Nobel laureates in chemistry. And of the 83 American Nobel laureates in physiology or medicine since 1945, 64 either worked at or were funded by NIH before winning his or her Prize.; Next Steps; To learn more about the NIH grantee Nobel Prize winners, visit www.nih.gov/nihrecord/10_26_2004/story03.htm or http://nobelprize.org/medicine/laureates/2004/press.html and http://nobelprize.org/chemistry/laureates/2004/press.html. ; Hispanic Radio Broadcast Covers Obesity in Children, Healthy Eating; Topic(s): Food, Nutrition and Metabolism; When: November 6, 2004; Where: San Francisco, CA; Institute: Office of the Director (OD); Obesity in children and the need to eat at least five fruits and vegetables were topics of a radio broadcast for Spanish-speaking audiences held on Saturday, November 6. Speaking on the topics was Rafael Gonzalez-Amezcua, M.D., a member of the NIH Council of Public Representatives (COPR). The radio talk show, Prevenir es Salud, was hosted by award-winning broadcaster and cancer expert, Elmer E. Huerta, M.D., M.P.H.; NIH is providing guest speakers for 7 of the 11 hour-long weekly talk shows on Hispanic health issues being produced as part of a national outreach to Hispanic communities. The outreach includes 10 health fairs being held from September to December in New York, Chicago, San Jose, Phoenix, McAllen, Miami, Albuquerque, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles. The theme of the 2004 Hispanic Health Fairs is "Celebra La Vida."; NIH was the first federal agency to support the pilot program of health fairs in 2001, and has continued to be a major participant. Every year the NIH information booth has been the largest and among the most popular with visitors. Last year the health fairs, held in 12 cities, attracted some 17,000 attendees.; Next Steps; Information about "Celebra La Vida" can be found online at www.celebralavida.com. For information about COPR and its members, visit http://copr.nih.gov. To view Dr. Huerta's Web site, visit www.prevencion.org. ; Neuropharmocology Expert George Koob Delivers Mark Keller Lecture; Topic(s): Alcohol / Alcohol Abuse / Alcoholism; When: November 9, 2004; Where: Lipsett Amphitheater, Building 10, Bethesda, MD; Institute: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA); A lecture on alcoholism and the brain was delivered by renowned scientist, George F. Koob, Ph.D., recipient of the 2004 Mark Keller Honorary Award. Dr. Koob is Professor of Neuropharmocology and Director of the Division of Psychopharmacology at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. His lecture was titled "The Neurobiology of Alcoholism: Dysregulation of the Brain Reward and Stress Systems." The presentation was free and open to the public.; NIAAA established the Mark Keller Honorary Lecture Series as a tribute to Dr. Keller's contributions in the field of alcohol research. Held in November each year, the lecture is given by an outstanding scientist who has made significant and long-term contributions in alcohol abuse and alcoholism research. Dr. Koob was honored for his work on neurotransmitters and neuroregulators, not only giving insights into the relationship between stress and drinking, but also suggesting possibilities for treatment.; Next Steps; For further information, call NIAAA's Nancy Colladay at (301) 443-4733 or e-mail her at nc38f@nih.gov. For details about the Mark Keller Honorary Lecture Series, visit http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/conferences/Keller/KellerHOME04.htm. For more information about Dr. Koob's research, visit www.niaaa.nih.gov/conferences/Keller/honoree.htm.