July 29, 2014
Health Sciences News Digest 7.29.2014
The latest news and features from the UW Health Sciences and UW Medicine:
Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center director talks about burden of dementia
Epidemiologist Walter Kukull addresses the growing incidence of Alzheimer’s.
UW epidemiologist William Kukull has devoted his public health career to the study of Alzheimer’s disease. In a personal profile, he mentions what led him to this field, and the ramifications of the disorder as more Americans live longer.
http://hsnewsbeat.uw.edu/story/alzheimers-center-director-discusses-burden-disease
Blood sugar drives brain’s response to sight of food
Our brain’s response to the sight of food appears driven more by our blood sugar level at the moment than our upbringing or genetics, according to a UW study of identical twins.
“The finding suggests our brains have a way to override genetic inheritance, upbringing and habits to respond to our immediate nutritional needs,” said Dr. Ellen Schur, UW assistant professor of medicine, who led the research.
http://hsnewsbeat.uw.edu/story/blood-sugar-drives-brains-response-sight-food
Harborview trauma director discusses brain-injury study, consent law exemptions
Harborview is one of 10 U.S. and Canadian trauma centers planning a study of a therapeutic drug for patients suspected of having sustained a traumatic brain injury. Harborview’s trauma director explains how the public is being notified about the study before it starts, due to consent law exemptions for trauma patients who are unconscious.
http://hsnewsbeat.uw.edu/story/qa-discusses-trauma-study-exemption-consent-laws
The isocortex of the brain, with colors denoting various connections.Allen Brain Institute
Workshop is first mind-meld of UW, Allen Brain Institute
For the first time, two Seattle brain research powerhouses are collaborating to teach the next generation of neuroscientists. The UW’s Computational Neuroscience program and the Allen Institute for Brain Science will jointly offer a “Summer Workshop on the Dynamic Brain” Aug. 24 through Sept. 7 at Friday Harbor Laboratories.
http://hsnewsbeat.uw.edu/story/workshop-first-mind-meld-uw-allen-brain-institute
Physician offers advice to peers on avoiding burnout
Health professionals devoted to caring for others sometimes neglect their own needs for restorative rest and relaxation. A UW physician offers tips for keeping mental and emotional exhaustion at bay in a demanding career.
http://hsnewsbeat.uw.edu/story/physician-offers-rx-peers-avoiding-burnout-work
AIDS-free generation is aim of new guidelines for clinician
Many tools to prevent HIV are available but are not being used like they should. An interdisciplinary panel of experts created a simple framework of best clinical practices to try to achieve an AIDS-free generation. The guidelines, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, integrate biomedical advances and evidence-based behavioral interventions for people with HIV or at high risk for HIV infection.
http://hsnewsbeat.uw.edu/story/aids-free-generation-aim-new-guidelines-clinicians
Tag(s): aging • diet • health care and mental health • HIV and AIDS • neuroscience & brain science
