| Show Number |
Air Week |
Title |
Program Description |
| SHOW #119 |
October 5, 1997 |
Artificial Liver |
The concept of artificial organs is rapidly moving from science fiction
to real possibility. With the growing technology known as tissue engineering, researchers
are constructing scaffolds, using polymer-based biodegradable materials, to which
organ-specific cells are applied. Although the process is not yet clearly understood, the
cells appear to have the ability to ultimately regenerate an entirely new organ,
appropriately constructed for transplantation. This story focuses on the work being done
to generate an artificial liver. Success in this field could eventually ease the
now-desperate shortage of organs available for transplant. Research is also ongoing with
replacement kidneys, cartilage, bone, tendons, breasts, bladders, and more. CONTACT:
Harvard Medical School: Bill Schaller, Office of Public Relations, (617)432-0442; MIT:
Elizabeth Thompson, MIT News Office, (617)253-2700; Children's Hospital: Cindy Revelle,
(617)355-5347 |
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GENEWATCH: Cherokee Alzheimer's |
In the first study of Alzheimer's Disease in the Cherokee Nation,
researchers have discovered that the Cherokee people are genetically protected from the
disease, in proportion to the individual's Cherokee ancestry. This is one of only a few
studies linking ethnic heritage to Alzheimer's. CONTACT: Alzheimer's Disease Center,
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, (214)648-8695 |
| |
|
Raloxifene |
Raloxifene is the first of a new class of drugs called Selective Estrogen
Receptor Modulators (SERMs), which are intended to treat osteoporosis. Commonly referred
to as a "designer estrogen," it appears to perform like estrogen in bone and the
cardiovascular system, but acts as an estrogen antagonist in the breast and uterus. Thus,
the benefits of estrogen therapy are apparently conferred, without the associated risk of
cancer, which has been the dilemma involved with estrogen therapy up to now. The drug is
currently in Phase III clinical trials, and is one of several such compounds now under
development. CONTACTS: Diane Shnitzler, Assistant Director, Communications, National
Osteoporosis Foundation, (202)223-2226; Elizabeth Ritz, Corporate Communications, Eli
Lilly & Co., (317)277-1172 |
| |
|
FUTUREX: INVEST Study |
Researchers at UCLA are testing the use of a weighted vest as a method of
helping people increase the strength of their lower extremities. This is intended to
improve bone density as well, which can help prevent the progression of osteoporosis. The
increased lower extremity strength also improves balance and prevent falls, which can lead
to serious complications in elderly people. CONTACT: Information Office, UCLA Women's
Health Center, Dr. Gale Greendale, (310)206-1960 |
| |
|
VR Acrophobia |
Scientists at Georgia's Emory University have completed the first
controlled application of virtual reality technology to the treatment of phobias. The
research has dealt mainly with acrophobia, or fear of heights, but has also been applied
to fear of flying, as was featured in our story. This completely immersive 3-D computer
simulation allows a safe and controllable application of exposure therapy, a behavioral
therapy in which the patient is gradually exposed to the environment he or she fears, with
the goal of eventually curing the phobia. CONTACT: Kathi Ovnic, Health Sciences News &
Information, Emory University Medical Center, (404)727-9371 |
| |
| SHOW #120 |
October 12, 1997 |
Pain Research |
An in-depth look at the Multidisciplinary Pain Center at the University
of Washington. The center sponsors a course called the Structured Program, a three to four
week session designed for people with chronic pain who have received little relief from
more traditional approaches: pain killers, surgeries, etc. The multidisciplinary team
works with patients' pain problems with an emphasis on exercise, relaxation techniques and
education. The program's outcome goals are reduced pain, improved physical abilities,
reduced consumption of health care, and return to work. It's been successful with about
half of the people who have undergone it, which is considered a remarkable achievement.
CONTACT: Patient Services, Multidisciplinary Pain Center, University of Washington,
(206)548-4282 |
| |
|
EVERYDAY BREAKTHROUGH: McArdle's Disease |
McArdle's Disease is a genetic disorder which results in a block in the
metabolism of fuels necessary for normal muscle-energy production. People with this
neuromuscular condition experience extreme fatigue and extraordinary pain after even
minimal exercise. Now, there is a research clinic, unique in the US and perhaps the world,
devoted to the study of McArdle's, which had been considered extremely rare, but may be
much more common. CONTACT: Ellen Mayou, Office of News & Public Information,
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, (214)648-3404 |
| |
|
Sjšgren's Syndrome |
Sjšgren's is a little-known but apparently very common disorder,
which mainly strikes women of menopausal age. It is characterized by dry mouth, dry eyes,
joint pains, and fatigue, among other symptoms, and is often misdiagnosed. While it is not
generally considered life-threatening, it can be disabling, or at least life-altering. Up
to four million Americans are estimated to have the disease, for which there is presently
no cure. CONTACTS: Patrick Keefe, PR Writer, University of Connecticut Health Center,
(860)679-2447; Sjšgren's Syndrome Foundation, Inc., 1-800-4-SJOGREN; National
Sjšgren's Syndrome Association, 1-800-395-NSSA; Connecticut Sjšgren's Syndrome
Support Group, (203)269-0354 |
| |
|
BREAKTHROUGHS IN HISTORY: Nurse Anesthetists |
A brief look at the distinguished history of nurse anesthetists. CONTACT:
Dee Gallick, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, (847)692-7050 |
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| SHOW #121 |
October 19, 1997 |
Postponed Aging |
This story deals with the very real scientific concept that human aging
can be postponed, indeed, we may see radically prolonged lifespans sooner than we think.
Dr. Michael Rose, among many other researchers, is exploring the evolutionary basis of
aging, with an eye toward methods of safely bypassing the process, resulting in much
longer healthy adult lives. Although it's far too soon to predict that this will work in
humans, researchers have succeeded already in producing fruit flies, round worms, and mice
with extremely long lifespans - up to double the norm. Former television producer Ralph
Andrews, who is also featured in the report, has established a biotechnology company to
fund this research, and predicts that a pharmaceutical product to extend aging will be on
the market within five years. We may all soon need to address the profound ethical, legal,
and social issues involved with greatly prolonged human life. CONTACTS: Ralph Andrews,
Chairman, MRX Biosciences, Inc., (818)992-5625, email mrxinc@pacbell.net
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| |
|
BREAKTHROUGH PROFILES: Dr. Allen Roses |
A conversation with the researcher who discovered the first
susceptibility gene for the early onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Despite entrenched
conventional wisdom to the contrary, Dr. Roses succeeded in convincing the medical
community that there was a genetic basis for Alzheimer's. His work has now been replicated
repeatedly, and he now is concentrating his efforts on finding drugs to prevent or cure
this devastating condition. CONTACT: Public Affairs, Glaxo Wellcome Inc. (919)483-2100 |
| |
|
Autism |
This story profiles the Carolina Living & Learning Center for
autistic adults, a residential program at a working farm at Pittsboro, NC. The TEACCH
(Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children)
model, developed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is used at this
residential and vocational center. It emphasizes instruction in communication, social, and
leisure skills, with proactive approaches to behavior management. The CLLC program has
been very successful, recently expanded, and plans to expand further soon. CONTACTS: David
Williamson, Director, Medical Research News, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
(919)962-2091; Drs. Gary Mesibov and Mary Van Bourgondien, TEACCH Program, (919)966-8199 |
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EVERYDAY BREAKTHROUGH: Biojector |
Needle-free injection systems limit the risk of needle sticks to health
care workers. The Biojector 2000 profiled in the piece is the latest example of this
technology. It uses compressed CO2 gas to push a plunger that forces the medication
through a hole one-third the size of the smallest needles. CONTACT: Kathleen Romeo, Public
Relations, Bioject, Inc., (503)639-7221, email:kmr@bioject.com
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