Image description: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of...

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Image description: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History recently welcomed this T. rex skeleton to its collection. It is one of the most complete T. rex specimens ever found and will be on display in the museum’s new dinosaur hall which is scheduled to open in 2019.

Learn more about the new T. rex skeleton.

Photo from the Smithsonian.

We welcome your comments if you are 13 or older, and hope that our conversations here will be polite. You are responsible for the content of your comments.

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violent, obscene, profane, hateful, or racist commentscomments that threaten or harm the reputation of any person or organizationadvertisements or solicitations of any kindcomments that suggest or encourage illegal activitymultiple off-topic posts or repetitive posts that are copied and pastedpersonal information including, but not limited to, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, mailing addresses, or identification numbers

In short: be nice and add to the discussion. If you continually violate this policy, we may limit your ability to comment in the future. If you have any questions or comments about this policy, please e-mail us.

It’s National Pollinator Week

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National Pollinator Week is June 17-23, 2013.  Pollinators are animals that help pollinate 35 percent of the world’s crops and more than 75 percent of our flowering plants.  Animals like bees, bats and butterflies carry pollen from one plant to another as they collect nectar.  They are essential to growing many foods, such as apples, oranges, almonds, chocolate and coffee.  Of the 100 crop species providing 90 percent of the world’s food, over 70 are pollinated by bees.

Animal pollinators face many challenges in the modern world. Habitat loss, disease, parasites, and environmental contaminants have all contributed to the decline of many species of pollinators.  Learn about Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.

How to help pollinators

We welcome your comments if you are 13 or older, and hope that our conversations here will be polite. You are responsible for the content of your comments.

We do not discriminate against any views, but may delete any of the following:

violent, obscene, profane, hateful, or racist commentscomments that threaten or harm the reputation of any person or organizationadvertisements or solicitations of any kindcomments that suggest or encourage illegal activitymultiple off-topic posts or repetitive posts that are copied and pastedpersonal information including, but not limited to, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, mailing addresses, or identification numbers

In short: be nice and add to the discussion. If you continually violate this policy, we may limit your ability to comment in the future. If you have any questions or comments about this policy, please e-mail us.

Image description: From the National Archives: Make your Fourth...

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Image description:

From the National Archives:

Make your Fourth of July BBQ extra special with these picnic-perfect recipes from Presidents and First Ladies!

(All the recipes can be found in Eating with Uncle Sam.)

Join us on July 4! The National Archives will be celebrating the Independence Day with a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, special musical guests, and fun family activities.

We welcome your comments if you are 13 or older, and hope that our conversations here will be polite. You are responsible for the content of your comments.

We do not discriminate against any views, but may delete any of the following:

violent, obscene, profane, hateful, or racist commentscomments that threaten or harm the reputation of any person or organizationadvertisements or solicitations of any kindcomments that suggest or encourage illegal activitymultiple off-topic posts or repetitive posts that are copied and pastedpersonal information including, but not limited to, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, mailing addresses, or identification numbers

In short: be nice and add to the discussion. If you continually violate this policy, we may limit your ability to comment in the future. If you have any questions or comments about this policy, please e-mail us.

Tour the Historic, Beautiful Gettysburg National Military Park this Summer

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Summer is a great time to take advantage of our national parks and monuments. Many offer free or low-cost admissions and programs perfect for families. So this summer we will be featuring one of our country’s public lands every week and highlighting things you and your family can do there. 

Image description: A stone wall on Cemetery Ridge in Gettysburg National Park. Photo from the National Park Service.

This July marks the 150th anniversary of the historic Battle of Gettysburg, fought in 1863. The battle, known for being the bloodiest fight in the Civil War, is recognized by historians as being the turning point in the battle between the North and South, and at the Gettysburg National Military Park, you have a chance to explore this piece of national history!

When you walk on the hills of the national park - Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, Culp’s Hill and Cemetery Ridge - your feet are travelling the same paths as soldiers did more than one hundred years ago. Stand in Soldiers’ National Cemetery and you could be standing in the same place as President Abraham Lincoln when he delivered his famous Gettysburg Address.

On your trip to the park, you can visit the museum and visitor center for a look at the history of the area, and be sure to check out the film, “A New Birth of Freedom,” narrated by Morgan Freeman.

There are lots of ways to tour the park, so be sure to choose the method best for you:

Guided bus tours through private companiesSelf-guided car tour, with or without audio tour CDs available for purchaseBy foot, self-guided, heavily dependent on weather conditions

In the summer months, there are extended ranger programs and activities available, including the junior ranger program - great for kids! You can find a complete guide and schedule of ranger programs on the National Park Service website.

For some safety suggestions and for help in planning your visit, check out the “Things to Know Before You Come” page. Before visiting with kids, be sure to talk to them about the history of the Civil War, since they will be walking among history when they travel to Gettysburg this summer!

We welcome your comments if you are 13 or older, and hope that our conversations here will be polite. You are responsible for the content of your comments.

We do not discriminate against any views, but may delete any of the following:

violent, obscene, profane, hateful, or racist commentscomments that threaten or harm the reputation of any person or organizationadvertisements or solicitations of any kindcomments that suggest or encourage illegal activitymultiple off-topic posts or repetitive posts that are copied and pastedpersonal information including, but not limited to, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, mailing addresses, or identification numbers

In short: be nice and add to the discussion. If you continually violate this policy, we may limit your ability to comment in the future. If you have any questions or comments about this policy, please e-mail us.

NLM & National Endowment for the Humanities to collaborate on initiatives of common interest

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), largest medical library in the world and a component of the National Institutes of Health and the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) are forming a new partnership. They will cooperate to develop initiatives which bring together scholars, researchers, librarians, doctors and professionals in the cultural heritage from the biomedical Humanities and community in order to share expertise and develop new research programs.

Representatives of the NLM and the NEH signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their partnership and recognize their shared interest to advance health and the spread of education, training and medical information for research, teaching and learning sciences and biomedical communities.

As initial efforts, the partners will work together to:

Explore areas of mutual interest in research, particularly in the fields of digital humanities and history of medicine; develop and participate in programs and courses, training and opportunities for internships and other educational initiatives; andDevelop initiatives to improve access to careers in medicine and health, with particular interest in reaching students who are underrepresented in the fields

On the partner institutions:

The National Endowment for the Humanities is a grant-making agency-Executive, independent of the United States of America, dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities and social sciences that use humanistic methods. NEH accomplishes this mission by providing grants for Humanities projects of high quality cultural institutions such as museums, archives, libraries, schools, universities, public television and radio stations and individual scholars.

Since its founding in 1836, the National Library of Medicine has played a key role in translating biomedical research into practice. NLM, the National Institutes of Health, is the largest medical library in the world, with more than 17 million items in the collection. Leader in innovation of information, is the developer of electronic information services used by scientists, health professionals and audiences around the world. NLM makes its services information known and available with the help of the national network of libraries of medicine, which consists of 5,600 member institutions, including eight regional medical libraries. NLM conducts and supports research that relates to computer and information technology to meet the information needs of doctors, public health administrators, biomedical researchers and consumers.

###

View the original article here

NLM & National Endowment for the Humanities to collaborate on initiatives of common interest

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), largest medical library in the world and a component of the National Institutes of Health and the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) are forming a new partnership. They will cooperate to develop initiatives which bring together scholars, researchers, librarians, doctors and professionals in the cultural heritage from the biomedical Humanities and community in order to share expertise and develop new research programs.

Representatives of the NLM and the NEH signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their partnership and recognize their shared interest to advance health and the spread of education, training and medical information for research, teaching and learning sciences and biomedical communities.

As initial efforts, the partners will work together to:

Explore areas of mutual interest in research, particularly in the fields of digital humanities and history of medicine; develop and participate in programs and courses, training and opportunities for internships and other educational initiatives; andDevelop initiatives to improve access to careers in medicine and health, with particular interest in reaching students who are underrepresented in the fields

On the partner institutions:

The National Endowment for the Humanities is a grant-making agency-Executive, independent of the United States of America, dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities and social sciences that use humanistic methods. NEH accomplishes this mission by providing grants for Humanities projects of high quality cultural institutions such as museums, archives, libraries, schools, universities, public television and radio stations and individual scholars.

Since its founding in 1836, the National Library of Medicine has played a key role in translating biomedical research into practice. NLM, the National Institutes of Health, is the largest medical library in the world, with more than 17 million items in the collection. Leader in innovation of information, is the developer of electronic information services used by scientists, health professionals and audiences around the world. NLM makes its services information known and available with the help of the national network of libraries of medicine, which consists of 5,600 member institutions, including eight regional medical libraries. NLM conducts and supports research that relates to computer and information technology to meet the information needs of doctors, public health administrators, biomedical researchers and consumers.

###

View the original article here

The National Library of Medicine releases free iPad App, "Native Voices: the Native peoples ' concepts of health and disease"

To give those who cannot travel to Bethesda, Maryland to see him personally lively experience of virtual, National Library Medicine (NLM) announces new iPad app, free, which captures the contents of its popular exhibitions, Native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/index.html), currently on display. NLM is the world's largest medical library and component of the National Institutes of Health.

The application allows users to explore video chat with members of the tribal elders, tribal healers and other prominent people practice traditional medicine, Western medicine, or a combination of both. Experience the unique and the prospects they weave tapestry vibrant and diverse cultures and ways of medicine practiced by the Natives of Alaska, native Americans and native Hawaiians. Other clips video provides an overview of the exhibition and the stresses of travel 4,400-mile had ordered a totem of specially crafted for exhibition from Washington State to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland.

App NLM Native Voices works on all iPads with iOS 4.2 and higher. To download the free app, go to the Apple iTunes store (www.apple.com/iTunes) and type in "NLM Native Voices."

In addition to the content of the native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease, the application contains a function "of the NLM", which allows the public to obtain information on the National Library of Medicine, and also learn how to "visit the NLM" and "Connect with NLM" through social media outlets.

On the welcome page of the app NLM Native Voices shows the logo of the exhibition and of the four featured interview subjects.

NLM Director Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg (left top) provides an overview of the Native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease, this exhibition home users and applications, you can also examine the rich content on five main topics: individual, Community, tradition, healing and nature.

Interviews on app NLM Native Voices can be searched by key words, respondent name or, as shown here, the topic. The speakers presented to talk about the importance of taking responsibility for their own health and the health of their Communities.

View the original article here

The National Library of Medicine releases free iPad App, "Native Voices: the Native peoples ' concepts of health and disease"

To give those who cannot travel to Bethesda, Maryland to see him personally lively experience of virtual, National Library Medicine (NLM) announces new iPad app, free, which captures the contents of its popular exhibitions, Native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/index.html), currently on display. NLM is the world's largest medical library and component of the National Institutes of Health.

The application allows users to explore video chat with members of the tribal elders, tribal healers and other prominent people practice traditional medicine, Western medicine, or a combination of both. Experience the unique and the prospects they weave tapestry vibrant and diverse cultures and ways of medicine practiced by the Natives of Alaska, native Americans and native Hawaiians. Other clips video provides an overview of the exhibition and the stresses of travel 4,400-mile had ordered a totem of specially crafted for exhibition from Washington State to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland.

App NLM Native Voices works on all iPads with iOS 4.2 and higher. To download the free app, go to the Apple iTunes store (www.apple.com/iTunes) and type in "NLM Native Voices."

In addition to the content of the native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease, the application contains a function "of the NLM", which allows the public to obtain information on the National Library of Medicine, and also learn how to "visit the NLM" and "Connect with NLM" through social media outlets.

On the welcome page of the app NLM Native Voices shows the logo of the exhibition and of the four featured interview subjects.

NLM Director Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg (left top) provides an overview of the Native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease, this exhibition home users and applications, you can also examine the rich content on five main topics: individual, Community, tradition, healing and nature.

Interviews on app NLM Native Voices can be searched by key words, respondent name or, as shown here, the topic. The speakers presented to talk about the importance of taking responsibility for their own health and the health of their Communities.

View the original article here

New look, new collections of the National Library medicine at IndexCat ™ database

National Library of Medicine, the world's largest medical library and component of the National Institutes of Health, and the History of Medicine Division are pleased to announce the launch of the new user interface for database IndexCat, together with two new collections covering the medieval texts of scientific English and Latin.

Using software developed by Ex Libris, Inc., the new interface IndexCat offers enhanced viewing capabilities and new layouts search results and displays the record.

IndexCat is available online, free of charge, at: http://indexcat.nlm.nih.gov.

By providing access to digital versions of print, 61-volume index-catalogue of the library of the Office of Surgeon General, IndexCat contains over 4.5 million bibliographical references elements more than 3.7 million dating from more than five centuries, covering the fields of basic sciences, research, civil and military medicine, public health and hospital administration. The language is international with quotations in European languages and Slavic, Greek script and the titles of Chinese and Japanese – some of the English translations. A wide range of materials can be discovered IndexCat, including books, articles, press releases, doktorskie, flyers, reports, Newspaper clippings, case studies, Obituary notices, letters, portraits, as well as a rare books and manuscripts.

For more information about the original index catalogue, see: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/indexcat/abouticatalogue.html.

Two new collections now available through IndexCat are part of the project supported the NLM in conjunction with the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Collections historical landmark, are developed with enriched electronic database and Catalogue of Incipits of mediaeval scientific Writings in Latin (Rev.), Lynn Thorndike and Pearl Kibre (eTK) and the updated and expanded version of the electronic scientific and medical Writings in old and Middle English: an electronic reference (eVK2), edited by Linda Ehrsam Voigts and Patricia Deery Kurtz. Opening up new research historical, these measures include more than 42 000 records of incipits or words beginning 6th or early printed books. IndexCat users can search the incipit manuscript, library, author, title, subject, date, and other information.

For more information about IndexCat, visit page IndexCat on: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/indexcat/ichome.html.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

New look, new collections of the National Library medicine at IndexCat ™ database

National Library of Medicine, the world's largest medical library and component of the National Institutes of Health, and the History of Medicine Division are pleased to announce the launch of the new user interface for database IndexCat, together with two new collections covering the medieval texts of scientific English and Latin.

Using software developed by Ex Libris, Inc., the new interface IndexCat offers enhanced viewing capabilities and new layouts search results and displays the record.

IndexCat is available online, free of charge, at: http://indexcat.nlm.nih.gov.

By providing access to digital versions of print, 61-volume index-catalogue of the library of the Office of Surgeon General, IndexCat contains over 4.5 million bibliographical references elements more than 3.7 million dating from more than five centuries, covering the fields of basic sciences, research, civil and military medicine, public health and hospital administration. The language is international with quotations in European languages and Slavic, Greek script and the titles of Chinese and Japanese – some of the English translations. A wide range of materials can be discovered IndexCat, including books, articles, press releases, doktorskie, flyers, reports, Newspaper clippings, case studies, Obituary notices, letters, portraits, as well as a rare books and manuscripts.

For more information about the original index catalogue, see: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/indexcat/abouticatalogue.html.

Two new collections now available through IndexCat are part of the project supported the NLM in conjunction with the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Collections historical landmark, are developed with enriched electronic database and Catalogue of Incipits of mediaeval scientific Writings in Latin (Rev.), Lynn Thorndike and Pearl Kibre (eTK) and the updated and expanded version of the electronic scientific and medical Writings in old and Middle English: an electronic reference (eVK2), edited by Linda Ehrsam Voigts and Patricia Deery Kurtz. Opening up new research historical, these measures include more than 42 000 records of incipits or words beginning 6th or early printed books. IndexCat users can search the incipit manuscript, library, author, title, subject, date, and other information.

For more information about IndexCat, visit page IndexCat on: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/indexcat/ichome.html.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The National Library of Medicine releases free iPad App, "Native Voices: the Native peoples ' concepts of health and disease"

To give those who cannot travel to Bethesda, Maryland to see him personally lively experience of virtual, National Library Medicine (NLM) announces new iPad app, free, which captures the contents of its popular exhibitions, Native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/index.html), currently on display. NLM is the world's largest medical library and component of the National Institutes of Health.

The application allows users to explore video chat with members of the tribal elders, tribal healers and other prominent people practice traditional medicine, Western medicine, or a combination of both. Experience the unique and the prospects they weave tapestry vibrant and diverse cultures and ways of medicine practiced by the Natives of Alaska, native Americans and native Hawaiians. Other clips video provides an overview of the exhibition and the stresses of travel 4,400-mile had ordered a totem of specially crafted for exhibition from Washington State to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland.

App NLM Native Voices works on all iPads with iOS 4.2 and higher. To download the free app, go to the Apple iTunes store (www.apple.com/iTunes) and type in "NLM Native Voices."

In addition to the content of the native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease, the application contains a function "of the NLM", which allows the public to obtain information on the National Library of Medicine, and also learn how to "visit the NLM" and "Connect with NLM" through social media outlets.

On the welcome page of the app NLM Native Voices shows the logo of the exhibition and of the four featured interview subjects.

NLM Director Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg (left top) provides an overview of the Native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease, this exhibition home users and applications, you can also examine the rich content on five main topics: individual, Community, tradition, healing and nature.

Interviews on app NLM Native Voices can be searched by key words, respondent name or, as shown here, the topic. The speakers presented to talk about the importance of taking responsibility for their own health and the health of their Communities.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The National Library of Medicine releases free iPad App, "Native Voices: the Native peoples ' concepts of health and disease"

To give those who cannot travel to Bethesda, Maryland to see him personally lively experience of virtual, National Library Medicine (NLM) announces new iPad app, free, which captures the contents of its popular exhibitions, Native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/index.html), currently on display. NLM is the world's largest medical library and component of the National Institutes of Health.

The application allows users to explore video chat with members of the tribal elders, tribal healers and other prominent people practice traditional medicine, Western medicine, or a combination of both. Experience the unique and the prospects they weave tapestry vibrant and diverse cultures and ways of medicine practiced by the Natives of Alaska, native Americans and native Hawaiians. Other clips video provides an overview of the exhibition and the stresses of travel 4,400-mile had ordered a totem of specially crafted for exhibition from Washington State to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland.

App NLM Native Voices works on all iPads with iOS 4.2 and higher. To download the free app, go to the Apple iTunes store (www.apple.com/iTunes) and type in "NLM Native Voices."

In addition to the content of the native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease, the application contains a function "of the NLM", which allows the public to obtain information on the National Library of Medicine, and also learn how to "visit the NLM" and "Connect with NLM" through social media outlets.

On the welcome page of the app NLM Native Voices shows the logo of the exhibition and of the four featured interview subjects.

NLM Director Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg (left top) provides an overview of the Native Voices: the native inhabitants of the concepts of health and disease, this exhibition home users and applications, you can also examine the rich content on five main topics: individual, Community, tradition, healing and nature.

Interviews on app NLM Native Voices can be searched by key words, respondent name or, as shown here, the topic. The speakers presented to talk about the importance of taking responsibility for their own health and the health of their Communities.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Offitt on the offense against National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine budget

The Los Angeles Times wrote about an essay in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association, stating:

“…many studies funded by NCCAM lack a sound biological underpinning, which should be an important requirement for funding. For example, NCCAM officials have spent $374 000 to find that inhaling lemon and lavender scents does not promote wound healing; $750 000 to find that prayer does not cure AIDS or hasten recovery from breast-reconstruction surgery; $390 000 to find that ancient Indian remedies do not control type 2 diabetes; $700 000 to find that magnets do not treat arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or migraine headaches; and $406 000 to find that coffee enemas do not cure pancreatic cancer. Additionally, NCCAM has funded studies of acupuncture and therapeutic touch. Using rigorously controlled studies, none of these therapies have been shown to work better than placebo. Some complementary and alternative practitioners argue reasonably that although their therapies might not work better than placebos, placebos may still work for some conditions.

…

Although evaluating the research portfolio of any institute at the NIH is difficult, social and political pressures may influence area-of-interest funding, and decisions should be based on science. For complementary and alternative medicine, it seems that some people believe what they want to believe, arguing that it does not matter what the data show; they know what works for them. Because negative studies do not appear to change behavior and because studies performed without a sound biological basis have little to no chance of success, it would make sense for NCCAM to either refrain from funding studies of therapies that border on mysticism such as distance healing, purgings, and prayer; redefine its mission to include a better understanding of the physiology of the placebo response; or shift its resources to other NIH institutes.”

View the original article here

Offitt on the offense against National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine budget

The Los Angeles Times wrote about an essay in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association, stating:

“…many studies funded by NCCAM lack a sound biological underpinning, which should be an important requirement for funding. For example, NCCAM officials have spent $374 000 to find that inhaling lemon and lavender scents does not promote wound healing; $750 000 to find that prayer does not cure AIDS or hasten recovery from breast-reconstruction surgery; $390 000 to find that ancient Indian remedies do not control type 2 diabetes; $700 000 to find that magnets do not treat arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or migraine headaches; and $406 000 to find that coffee enemas do not cure pancreatic cancer. Additionally, NCCAM has funded studies of acupuncture and therapeutic touch. Using rigorously controlled studies, none of these therapies have been shown to work better than placebo. Some complementary and alternative practitioners argue reasonably that although their therapies might not work better than placebos, placebos may still work for some conditions.

…

Although evaluating the research portfolio of any institute at the NIH is difficult, social and political pressures may influence area-of-interest funding, and decisions should be based on science. For complementary and alternative medicine, it seems that some people believe what they want to believe, arguing that it does not matter what the data show; they know what works for them. Because negative studies do not appear to change behavior and because studies performed without a sound biological basis have little to no chance of success, it would make sense for NCCAM to either refrain from funding studies of therapies that border on mysticism such as distance healing, purgings, and prayer; redefine its mission to include a better understanding of the physiology of the placebo response; or shift its resources to other NIH institutes.”

View the original article here

Offitt on the offense against National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine budget

The Los Angeles Times wrote about an essay in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association, stating:

“…many studies funded by NCCAM lack a sound biological underpinning, which should be an important requirement for funding. For example, NCCAM officials have spent $374 000 to find that inhaling lemon and lavender scents does not promote wound healing; $750 000 to find that prayer does not cure AIDS or hasten recovery from breast-reconstruction surgery; $390 000 to find that ancient Indian remedies do not control type 2 diabetes; $700 000 to find that magnets do not treat arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or migraine headaches; and $406 000 to find that coffee enemas do not cure pancreatic cancer. Additionally, NCCAM has funded studies of acupuncture and therapeutic touch. Using rigorously controlled studies, none of these therapies have been shown to work better than placebo. Some complementary and alternative practitioners argue reasonably that although their therapies might not work better than placebos, placebos may still work for some conditions.

…

Although evaluating the research portfolio of any institute at the NIH is difficult, social and political pressures may influence area-of-interest funding, and decisions should be based on science. For complementary and alternative medicine, it seems that some people believe what they want to believe, arguing that it does not matter what the data show; they know what works for them. Because negative studies do not appear to change behavior and because studies performed without a sound biological basis have little to no chance of success, it would make sense for NCCAM to either refrain from funding studies of therapies that border on mysticism such as distance healing, purgings, and prayer; redefine its mission to include a better understanding of the physiology of the placebo response; or shift its resources to other NIH institutes.”

View the original article here

Off to Beijing for National Cancer Institute workshop for Chinese journalists

photo by Jorge Lascar on Flickr

The website will be on hold over the next week, as I’m traveling to Beijing to help lead a workshop for Chinese journalists hosted by the National Cancer Institute and the Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

This will be the third international journalism workshop I’ve done with the National Cancer Institute – with several more on the horizon within the next year.

We are gratified to see the global reach of efforts like ours – built on the pioneering work done by an Australian team that founded the first Media Doctor site two years before we got started.  Now, as the yellow stars on the map below show, such projects have sprung up around the world.  And the invitations for talks and workshops, like the upcoming one in Beijing, continue to come in.

View the original article here

Off to Beijing for National Cancer Institute workshop for Chinese journalists

photo by Jorge Lascar on Flickr

The website will be on hold over the next week, as I’m traveling to Beijing to help lead a workshop for Chinese journalists hosted by the National Cancer Institute and the Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

This will be the third international journalism workshop I’ve done with the National Cancer Institute – with several more on the horizon within the next year.

We are gratified to see the global reach of efforts like ours – built on the pioneering work done by an Australian team that founded the first Media Doctor site two years before we got started.  Now, as the yellow stars on the map below show, such projects have sprung up around the world.  And the invitations for talks and workshops, like the upcoming one in Beijing, continue to come in.

View the original article here

Off to Beijing for National Cancer Institute workshop for Chinese journalists

photo by Jorge Lascar on Flickr

The website will be on hold over the next week, as I’m traveling to Beijing to help lead a workshop for Chinese journalists hosted by the National Cancer Institute and the Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

This will be the third international journalism workshop I’ve done with the National Cancer Institute – with several more on the horizon within the next year.

We are gratified to see the global reach of efforts like ours – built on the pioneering work done by an Australian team that founded the first Media Doctor site two years before we got started.  Now, as the yellow stars on the map below show, such projects have sprung up around the world.  And the invitations for talks and workshops, like the upcoming one in Beijing, continue to come in.

View the original article here