| Show Number |
Air Week |
Title |
Program Description |
| SHOW #146 |
Week of April 12, 1998 |
Heart Disease/PET Scan |
Heart disease remains our number one killer, in spite of many strides in
recent years. Now there is a pioneering physician who is convinced he has a better way to
prevent and treat cardiac problems, and diagnose the extent of disease in patients without
the use of invasive procedures. Dr. Lance Gould of the University of Texas - Houston has
developed a comprehensive program based on his theories, and has reported some remarkable
results. First of all, he relies heavily on the use of the PET (positron emission
tomography) scan, a sophisticated imaging technology, to diagnose heart disease and
monitor the effectiveness of therapy. He believes that PET is more accurate than current
invasive diagnostic methods. Along with improved assessment, Dr. Gould's program is based
on his firm belief that heart disease can be successfully prevented or reversed
noninvasively, through aggressive use of cholesterol-lowering drugs and a strict low fat
diet. CONTACTS: Sandra Henry, Public Affairs, UT-Houston Health Science Center,
(713)500-3030, website: www.uth.tmc.edu; American
Heart Association, (800)AHA-USA1, website: www.amhrt.org;
American College of Cardiology, (800)253-4636, website: www.acc.org |
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|
GENEWATCH: Salmonella Vaccine |
After ten years of research, scientists at Washington University have
perfected an oral vaccine that protects chickens against salmonella bacteria. Using
genetic engineering techniques, they have deleted two key genes in the bacterium. This
weakened form of the organism is given to the fowl, and produces an immune response
without making the chicks sick. It's estimated that widespread use of the vaccine could
eliminate up to one fourth of the estimated four million salmonella poisoning cases in
humans each year. CONTACTS: Steve Kraushaar, Washington University, (314)286-0120,
website: www.wustl.edu |
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|
Vibrant Soundbridge |
Up to 26 million Americans have some degree of hearing impairment. Now
there is a new alternative to hearing aids for the moderate to severely hearing impaired.
The Vibrant Soundbridge, consisting of both externally worn and surgically impanted
components, works in the middle ear. Sound is transmitted to a tiny device in the middle
ear, which vibrates, stimulating the small bones nearby. These vibrations travel to the
inner ear, where they stimulate the auditory nerve and travel on to the brain to be
interpreted as sound. The ear canal is left open, allowing the user to continue to
experience natural sound as much as possible. The device, intended to offer sound
reproduction superior to hearing aids, is now in clinical trials in the US. CONTACTS: Lori
Fiber, Fischer & Partners, 310-577-7870; Symphonix Devices, Inc., (408)232-0710,
website: www.symphonix.com ; House Ear Institute,
(213)483-4431, website: http://www.hei.org ; American
Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, (703)836-4444, website: www.entnet.org ; Better Hearing Institute, (800)EAR-WELL,
website: www.betterhearing.org ; American
Hearing Research Foundation, (312)726-9670 |
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|
EVERYDAY BREAKTHROUGHS: Breast Milk |
Breast milk is always considered to be the most nutritious food for
babies, but nutritional content can vary widely from woman to woman. Now two medical
students at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have devised a simple method of gauging
nutritional content. It uses a standard centrifuge to measure the length of the lipid
column, or creamatocrit, after it has been separated from the milk. This measurement
reflects the amount of energy available in the milk. The test is practical and has the
potential for widespread clinical use, particularly with premature infants in neonatal
intensive care units, and babies diagnosed with failure to thrive. CONTACT: John Howser,
Public Relations, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, (615)322-4747, website: www.vanderbilt.edu |
| SHOW #147 |
Week of April 19, 1998 |
Islet Cells |
Islet cells are the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. When they
become damaged or destroyed, diabetes is the result. Now, islet cells are being
transplanted, and if the procedure can be perfected, it could one day lead to a cure for
diabetes. Until recently, islet cell transplants were only performed in patients who were
also having whole organ transplants. This was due to the fact that the transplant requires
immune system suppression to prevent rejection of the foreign tissue, and the risk/benefit
analysis did not justify transplanting islet cells alone. Now, clinical trials are
underway at the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine
in which patients are receiving islet cells alone, but in this case in conjunction with
bone marrow from the same donors, in hopes of re-educating the patient's immune system to
accept the transplant, as opposed to immunosuppression. If this can be consistently and
effectively accomplished, with sufficient insulin production by the transplanted islet
cells, patients would eventually no longer need to take insulin. CONTACT: Mitra Zehtab,
MD, Director of Medical Communications, Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami
School of Medicine, (305)243-3899, email: mzehtab@mednet.med.miami.edu,
Website: drinet.med.miami.edu/drinet/cl.trials/00cl_trials_html
|
| |
|
BREAKTHROUGH PROFILES: Dr. Monroe Wall |
Dr. Wall, a chief scientist at Research Triangle Institute, Research
Triangle Park, NC, was recently named recipient of the Alfred Burger Award by the American
Chemical Society. He is being recognized for his discovery of two powerful anti-cancer
drugs, taxol and camptothecin. The drugs were developed from the barks of two different
trees. Taxol has been especially significant in fighting ovarian and breast cancer. Dr.
Wall's associate, Dr. Mansukh Wani, is also featured in the story. CONTACTS: Reid Mainess,
Public Relations, Research Triangle Institute, (919)541-6000, website: www.rti.org; American Chemical Society website: www.acs.org |
| |
|
Wheelchairs |
The Human Engineering Research Lab in the School of Health and
Rehabilitation Services at the University of Pittsburgh is the only wheelchair lab in the
country outside of private industry. The lab tests new wheelchairs for the VA, the FDA,
and large wheelchair manufacturers. They also develop new materials that are lighter and
stronger, as well as new devices to increase control and mobility. CONTACT: The Pitt/VA
Medical Center Human Engineering Research Lab, (412)365-4850, website: www.pitt.edu/~rstherl/index.html |
| |
|
BREAKTHROUGHS IN HISTORY: Aspirin |
1997 marked the one-hundredth anniversary of the synthesis of
acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin, by Bayer chemist Felix Hoffman.
Within two years, it was on the market as a pain reliever, and by 1915, it was available
without a prescription. Although other pain relievers have come along to diminish
aspirin's market share, the more recently discovered cardiovascular benefits of aspirin
have ensured that it will continue to play a role for a long time to come. CONTACT: Kiera
Kelly, Golin/Harris Communications, (312)836-7110 |
| SHOW #148 |
Week of April 26, 1998 |
Prosthetic Sensors |
A company called NovaCare-Sabolich in Oklahoma City has developed new
electronic sensor systems for use in prosthetic limbs. The Sense of Feel System gives
amputees the ability to feel pressure in both their upper and lower prostheses. It helps
them maintain their center of gravity when walking. The Hot and Cold Sensory System
contains a temperature probe in the tip of the finger of the prosthetic hand. It sends
signals to electrodes attached to the residual limb, from which nerves send signals to the
brain, which correctly interpret the temperature of the object. Neither of these systems
are as yet available to the public. CONTACTS: Kristen Thomas or Kim Tefertiller, Public
Relations, NovaCare-Sabolich Prosthetics, (405)525-4000; Patient Services Department,
(800)522-4428, email: NovaCare@oandp.com, website:
www.novacaresabolich.com; Limbs For Life
(service organization), (888)235-5462 |
| |
|
BREAKTHROUGH PROFILES: Dr. Maclyn McCarty |
In 1944, Dr. McCarty and his colleagues at The Rockefeller University
Hospital published a paper that showed that DNA is the carrier of hereditary information.
Previously, it had been assumed that protein was the genetic material. Dr. McCarty's
discovery laid the groundwork for Watson and Crick's subsequent discovery of the
double-helix structure of DNA. CONTACT: The Rockefeller University, Office of Public
Affairs, (212)327-8967 |
| |
|
Ulnar-Mammary Syndrome |
Researchers have identified genetic mutations responsible for a rare
birth disorder called ulnar-mammary syndrome, which is characterized by abnormal limb,
breast, and genital developments. Although the condition is extemely rare, the discovery
of this genetic information could lead to important increased understanding of how normal
limbs develop, what triggers the onset of puberty, and other vital functions of this
particular group of genes responsible for some aspects of embryonic development. CONTACTS:
Dorothy Dart, Director for Communications, University of Utah, (801)585-3470; Researchers
would like to hear from families who have two or more members who have experienced birth
defects in hands or fingers - email: disease
@genetics.utah.edu, telephone: Dr. Michael Bamshad, Eccles Institute of Human
Genetics, (801)585-3384, Dr. Peter Armstrong, Shriners Hospital for Children,
(801)536-3500; For more information on ulnar-mammary syndrome and other birth defects -
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD), (203)746-6518 or (800)999-6673,
email: orphan@nord-rdb.com, website: www.nord-rdb.com/~orphan; NIH/National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development, (301)496-5133, website: www.nih.gov/nichd; NIH/National Institute of
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, (301)496-8188, website: www.nih.gov/niams; NIH Office of Rare Diseases, website: rarediseases.info.nih.gov/ord; Association of
Families & Friends of Children with Limb Disorders, (716)762-9997; Association of
Children's Prosthetic/Orthotic Clinics, (708)698-1694; International Center for Skeletal
Dysplasia, (301)337-1250; Superkids, Inc. (newsletter for families and friends of children
with limb differences), 60 Clyde St., Newton, MA 02160; For information on genetics and
genetic counseling referrals - Alliance of Genetic Support Groups, (301)652-5553, email: alliance@capaccess.org, website: resourcecenter@modimes.org,
website: www.modimes.org |
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FUTUREX: VR Surgery Workbench |
Researchers have developed a high-tech training and planning tool for
virtual surgical simulation. The system allows doctors to plan and practice difficult
procedures before performing them on a real patient. Wearing stereoscopic glasses, the
surgeon sees 3D textured models of the patient's body on the workbench display. With
special controllers, they can interact with the model and simulate surgical procedures.
CONTACT: Judy Kaneko, Broadcast PR Specialist, Silicon Graphics, (415)933-6171, email: jkaneko@corp.sgi.com, website: www.sgi.com |
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