July 23, 2009
The NIAMS Update is a monthly digest published for those interested in the latest scientific news and resources on diseases of the bones, joints, muscles, and skin. We encourage further dissemination of this resource.
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Office of Communications and Public Liaison
niamsinfo@mail.nih.gov
Janet S. Austin, Ph.D.
Director
Melanie M. Martinez, M.P.A.
Public Liaison Officer
Trish Reynolds, R.N., M.S.
Media Liaison
From left to right: Dione Harjo, assistant director, Community Health Representatives (CHRs) program; Cathy Stueckemann, CHR national director; Mimi Lising, NIAMS multicultural communications coordinator; Jean Pino, CHR coordinator; Jeannette Yazzie, area office coordinator (AOC); Melany Cueva, program coordinator Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; Dr. Janet Austin, NIAMS Office of Communications and Public Liaison director; and Georgia Butler, AOC |
NIH Hosts the 4th Annual American Indian/Alaska Native Workshop
A trans-National Institutes of Health (NIH) American Indian/Alaska Native Health Communications and Information Work Group, led by NIAMS, hosted a half-day workshop, “Creating Collaborations: Partnering with Tribal Community Health Representatives (CHRs) for Health Research and Education.” The workshop aimed to increase the understanding of the vital role that CHRs play in developing, implementing and disseminating health information and education programs to Native people. The event was kicked off by NIAMS Director Dr. Steve Katz and included a presentation by the Indian Health Service’s National CHR Program Director, Cathy Stueckemann, and a panel discussion featuring CHRs from across the nation. Watch an NIH videocast of this event.
Gene Expression Findings a Step Toward Better Classification and Treatment of Juvenile Arthritis
Scientists have discovered gene expression differences that could lead to better ways to classify, predict outcome and treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Eventually, such findings could enable doctors to target more aggressive treatment to children at risk of more severe arthritis, while those likely to have milder disease could be spared the stronger treatments that carry a greater risk of side effects. The researchers were supported by NIAMS.
Delay in Diagnosis of Menopause-like Condition in Young Women Linked to Low Bone Density: Women Who Don't Receive Treatment May Risk Osteoporosis
Women and young girls who experience delays in diagnosing a premature, menopause-like condition face increased risk of low bone density, according to new research by scientists at NIH. A delay in diagnosing the condition, called primary ovarian insufficiency, may make women more susceptible to osteoporosis and fractures later in life, the researchers concluded.
NIH Expands Human Microbiome Project; Funds Sequencing Centers and Disease Projects
The Human Microbiome Project has awarded more than $42 million to expand its exploration of how the trillions of microscopic organisms that live in or on our bodies affect our health, NIH announced.
NIH Receives 20,000 Applications for Challenge Grants Through the Recovery Act - More Than 18,000 Scientists to be Involved in Peer Review Process
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced that NIH received approximately 20,000 applications for Challenge Grants, a new program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This large number of applications is approximately equal to the total number of applications NIH receives in one of the agency’s three major review rounds each year.
Save the Date: NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting
The next NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting will be held September 16, 2009, in Building 31, 6th floor, C Wing, Conference Room 6, NIH Campus.
47.5 Million U.S. Adults Report a Disability; Arthritis Remains Most Common Cause
A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study shows that 47.5 million U.S. adults (21.8%) reported a disability in 2005, an increase of 3.4 million from 1999. Arthritis or rheumatism continues to be the most common cause of disability, while back or spine problems and heart trouble round out the top three causes.
NIH Public Bulletin
Read about the latest public events, activities and health information resources from NIH in the latest issue of the NIH Public Bulletin.
NIH Research Matters - Merkel Cells Give You a Light Touch
If you can feel the softness of silk or the fuzziness of a peach, you can definitely thank your Merkel cells, scientists say. A new study confirms what researchers have long suspected―that cells in the skin called Merkel cells are essential to the sense of light touch.
Questions and Answers about Alopecia Areata
This booklet contains general information about alopecia areata. It describes what alopecia is, its causes and treatment options. Information also is provided on current research.
Questions and Answers about Behçet’s Disease
This booklet contains general information about Behçet’s (BAY-sets) disease. It describes what Behçet’s disease is and how it develops. It also explains how Behçet’s disease is diagnosed and treated.
Questions and Answers about Fibromyalgia
This booklet contains general information about fibromyalgia. It describes what fibromyalgia is, its causes and treatment options. Information also is provided on current research.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Recovery Act Limited Competition: Biomedical Research, Development, and Growth to Spur the Acceleration of New Technologies (BRDG-SPAN) Pilot Program (RC3)
(RFA-OD-09-008)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: August 3, 2009
Application Receipt Date: September 1, 2009
Recovery Act Limited Competition: Small Business Catalyst Awards for Accelerating Innovative Research (R43)
(RFA-OD-09-009)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: August 3, 2009
Application Receipt Date: September 1, 2009
Other Research Announcements
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships (F31) to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research
(PA-09-209)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: Not Applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Multiple dates, see announcement.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows (F32)
(PA-09-210)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: Not Applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Multiple dates, see announcement.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Senior Fellows (F33)
(PA-09-211)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: Not Applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Multiple dates, see announcement.
Notice of Correction to Grant Application Appendix Materials in Small Research Grant (R03) FOAs
(NOT-OD-09-105)
NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Programs (LRP)
(NOT-OD-09-107)
Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers (LRP-CR): Program Specific Information
(NOT-OD-09-108)
Extramural Pediatric Research Loan Repayment Program (LRP-PR): Program Specific Information
(NOT-OD-09-109)
Extension of Modified Application Submission, Referral and Review for Appointed NIH Advisory Group Members
(NOT-OD-09-114)
NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research
(NOT-OD-09-116)
Extension and Amendment of the Receipt Date for RFA-AI-08-011, Ancillary Studies in Immunomodulation Clinical Trials (R01)
(NOT-AI-09-044)
If you would like to review information about funding opportunities more frequently than our monthly updates allow, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, the primary source for information about NIH funding opportunities. You can also request a weekly Table of Contents from the NIH Guide.