Science-based Information Research Articles

News articles and radio PSAs: developing science-based nutrition and physical activity information for consumers

Learn how to work with the media to promote science-based health information. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese and over 13 percent of children and adolescents are overweight. According to Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, overweight and obesity are among the most pressing public health issues in the nation today. The public often hears conflicting advice about diet and physical activity, which causes confusion. The Weight-control Information Network (WIN) provides the general public and health professionals with up-to-date, science-based health information on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues. WIN is part of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Science-based information reaches many health professionals, but does not always filter down to consumers. WIN broadens its reach to the general public by creating and placing articles and public service announcements (PSAs) in newspapers and on radio stations. The health messages in newspaper articles and PSAs are based on WIN publications, all of which go through a rigorous scientific review including review for compliance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The resulting messages offer consumers consistent and scientifically accurate information that they can use in their daily lives. Topics of articles include barriers to physical activity, portion control, and management of diabetes through diet and exercise. In 2003, WIN reached over 20,000,000 people through placement of articles in newspapers nationally and over 23,000,000 people through radio PSAs. WIN’s materials are not copyrighted. FUNDING DISCLOSURE:

Conjugated linoleic acid: health implications and effects on body composition

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is attracting interest because of its purported effects on body composition, specifically a reduction in body fat mass and an increase in lean body mass. Other reported beneficial health-related effects of CLA include anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, antidiabetogenic, and immune modulating properties. Because research on CLA has been almost exclusively in animals and the mechanism(s) by which CLA exerts its effects remain largely unknown, scientists are extremely cautious about making definitive statements about CLA. Despite the limited research on CLA in human subjects, numerous Internet websites and health food stores sell CLA supplements or CLA-containing products as weight loss or ergogenic aids. The increasing popularity of CLA as a dietary supplement makes it important that dietitians and health professionals are aware of CLA and are able to provide the public with science-based information regarding CLA.

Planetarium inversum — A space vision for earth education

In a planetarium, the visitor is sitting on Earth and looking into an imaginary space. The Planetarium Inversum is the opposite: visitors are sitting in a space station, looking down on Mother Earth. It is a scientifically-based information show with visitors involvement, its elements being partially virtual (Earth in space has to be projected with highest possible resolution) but also containing real structures, such as the visitors` Earth observatory with adjacent biological systems (plant cultures and other ecological life support components). Its main message concerns the limits and the vulnerability of our home planet, its uniqueness, beauty and above all, its irreplaceableness: Earth does not have an emergency exit. The Earth observatory is part of a ring shaped, rotating space station of the type designed by Wernher von Braun decades ago. Visitors are told that gravity is being substituted by centrifugal force. Both types of life support systems are being demonstrated — self regenerative life based ones and technical ones as a backup (solar electric splitting of water and chemical absorption of respiratory CO 2).

The Impact of Consumer Food Biotechnology Training on Knowledge and Attitude

Objective: Consumer education is an important aspect in the adoption of any new technology. The objective of this work was to determine whether consumer’s knowledge and attitudes would be influenced by a face-to-face presentation involving food biotechnology.Materials and Methods: Participants (576) were requested to complete a pre-test prior to receiving a 45–80 minute presentation, which was then followed by a post-test. Participants included members from a community organization, undergraduate and graduate college students and cooperative extension educators (county agents).Results: Following training, 98% to 99% correctly indicated that fruits and vegetables contain chromosomes and that foods from biotech crops were currently sold in grocery stores. Prior to training, only 31% felt that these crops were properly regulated by federal agencies, and only 25% were confident that bioengineering was unlikely to make an existing food allergenic. Following training, 83% felt that these crops were properly regulated, and 63% believed that biotechnology was unlikely to add new allergens to our food supply. In addition, 90% of those trained would eat or serve genetically-modified foods to their family, and 90% believed that they or their family would benefit from genetically-modified foods within the next five years.Conclusions: It is apparent from these results that when provided sound, science-based information, participants are more accepting of this technology and the regulatory process.

Community Leader Response to Educational Information about Biotechnology

ABSTRACT: Although response to biotechnology by United States consumer is positive, many know little about it, and some question risks and benefits. This project evaluated how science‐based information affects community leaders' attitudes. A videotape providing a consistent message was developed and shown in 1995 to 365 California and Indiana consumers who then participated in a discussion and completed questionnaires. Providing a realistic perspective of the risks and benefits associated with biotechnology reinforced consumers' positive attitudes and enhanced their regard for the participating university. After the program, those believing that biotechnology offers society many benefits increased from 33% to 63%. A minority of consumers viewed biotechnology negatively, uncertain about cross‐species transfer and unexpected changes.

Using BEES to select cost-effective green products

The BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability) software brings to your fingertips a powerful technique for balancing the environmental and economic performance of building products. The tool is based on consensus standards and designed to be practical, flexible, and transparent. Version 2.0 of the Windows™-based decision support software, aimed at designers, builders, and product manufacturers, includes actual environmental and economic performance data for 65 building products. The purpose is to support purchasing decisions by providing key science-based information often lacking in ‘green’ product selection. The intended result is a cost-effective reduction in building-related contributions to environmental problems.

METHOD TO IDENTIFY EFFECTWE RIPARIAN BUFFER WIDTHS FOR ATLANTIC SALMON HABITAT PROTECTION1

ABSTRACT: Successful restoration of declining anadromous species is dependent upon effective riparian buffer zone management. Natural resource managers, policy developers and local conservation groups require science‐based information concerning the width at which a given buffer will be effective for its stated purpose. This paper summarizes a method developed in 1999 to determine effective riparian buffer widths for Atlantic salmon habitat protection as part of the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan for Seven Maine Rivers. A major assumption of the method is that no two buffers are alike with respect to their effectiveness and that various buffer characteristics dictate the required width for a given level of effectiveness. The method uses a predictive model that generates suggested riparian buffer widths as a function of specific, measurable buffer characteristics (such as slope, soil characteristics, and plant community structure and density) that affect buffer function. The method utilizes a variable‐width, two‐zone approach and specifies land uses that are consistent with desired buffer function within the two zones.

NUTRACEUTICALS: FAD OR TREND?

As the U.S. population ages and becomes more health conscious, consumers expect more from their foods than simple nutrition. expect their food to make them healthier and help them fend off the chronic diseases of aging. Recognizing this trend, players ranging from traditional food and food-ingredient companies to pharmaceutical companies are tapping into this potentially huge market. The search is on to identify food components that confer health benefits and to figure out how to increase those components in the food supply, leading to an exploding market in nutraceuticals and functional foods. We're seeing the highest levels of interest from the baby boomers and what we call the older boomers—the older segments of the baby boomers, says David B. Schmidt, senior vice president for food safety at the International Food Information Council (IFIC), a nonprofit organization with the mission of communicating science-based information on food safety and nutrition. They all expect to live to ...

Keynote Address: The American Association of Anatomists' Sixth Annual Minority Student Luncheon, Experimental Biology ‘99, Washington, DC

Keynote Address: The American Association of Anatomists' Sixth Annual Minority Student Luncheon, Experimental Biology ‘99, Washington, DC

Emergency Care of Invertebrates

Invertebrates are of increasing importance to the veterinary profession, but little scientifically-based information exists on their emergency care. Therefore, basic principles—supportive care, including administration of fluids, and specific therapy (where available)—must be followed up on. Knowledge and understanding of the biology and natural history of these animals are essential if critical care is to prove successful.

Consumer acceptance of irradiated food: theory and reality

For years most consumers have expressed less concern about food irradiation than other food processing technologies. Attitude studies have demonstrated that when given science-based information, from 60% to 90% of consumers prefer the advantages irradiation processing provides. When information is accompanied by samples, acceptance may increase to 99%. Information on irradiation should include product benefits, safety and wholesomeness, address environmental safety issues, and include endorsements by recognized health authorities. Educational and marketing programs should now be directed toward retailers and processors. Given the opportunity, consumers will buy high quality, safety-enhanced irradiated food.

Building Effective Partnerships: A National Evaluation of the Cancer Information Service Outreach Program. Part 2

The Cancer Information Service's (CIS) nationally coordinated, regionally focused outreach program establishes partnerships with government, nonprofit, and private organizations to reach underserved and minority populations. A national random sample telephone survey, conducted with 867 partner organizations who had contact with the CIS in early 1996, assessed the types of CIS assistance used, satisfaction with and usefulness of these services, organizational characteristics, and the overall impact on partners' cancer-related programs. CIS partners provide programs for the medically underserved (79%) and specific racial and ethnic groups (72%) and address a range of cancer control issues. Partners use and highly value an array of CIS assistance. Over 90% are satisfied with the CIS services. Diffusion of accurate and science-based information, materials and resources is a key element of the outreach assistance. Two out of three partners are receiving late-breaking news and scientific information from the CIS and 86% are disseminating it to their constituents. The majority of those partners surveyed reported that they rely on the CIS to assist with their most important cancer programs. Sixty-eight percent of the partners rated the CIS assistance as important or very important to their cancer-related programs. These survey results indicate that the CIS outreach program provides key support to partners' cancer programs and has an impact on their efforts. The results support the effectiveness of a regionally based outreach program working in partnership with existing organizations at the state, county, and local level who are addressing the needs of underserved populations.

BUILDING THE LAND-GRANT CONCEPT INTO THE WORLD WIDE WEB

The land-grant system was founded on the principle that education and information make a critical difference in people's lives, and that the government plays an important role in providing education and information by funding teaching, research, and extension programs. This mission was interpreted previously as a charge to establish great educational institutions to provide a low-cost, quality education to everyone who applied, to place extension professionals within every county in the nation, and to build massive research centers to provide a continuous flow of new, science-based information to all at no charge. My thesis is that the World Wide Web and other emerging information technologies represent the only solution to the dilemma faced by the land-grant system for providing research-based, high-quality education and information to a growing clientele at a reasonable cost. Aggie Horticulture (http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu), a Web server that is modeled on the land-grant principle, will be used as an example of one approach to land-grant programs of the 21st century.

Pest Management in the United States Greenhouse and Nursery Industry: Introduction and Perspective

Additional index words. ornamentals, extension service, information sources, IPM W e are pleased to present an analysis of pest management practices in the United States greenhouse and nursery industry in the following five papers. This is the first national review of pest management practices. It was funded by the USDA National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (NAPIAP). The purpose of this cooperative USDA and state program is to develop and make available science-based information that evaluates the benefits of pesticides in United States agriculture. The primary audience, for whom assessment documents are developed, is the USEPA, which uses the information for registering

The Effects of FTC Advertising Regulation

THIS study inquires into the effects of the FTC's regulation of false and misleading advertising. Skepticism about the effectiveness of this regulation is widespread. For example, a Congressional committee has described the regulation as "impotent."' A team of lawyers under the aegis of Ralph Nader has echoed that sentiment.2 The best that an American Bar Association panel could say was that "occasional successes" could not outweigh the "recurrent flaws of FTC enforcement."3 A noted legal scholar, who has cast doubt on the only "success" cited,4 wonders if a system of regulation without penalties can be effective but argues that this is probably for the best since there is no substantial problem worth regulating anyway.5 The authors of an industrial organization textbook think that there is a problem but damn by faint praise an enforcement mecha-

Communicating science to the public through targeted messages

The process of communicating science-based information through the mass media is often not the most effective way to meet the information needs of audiences. In many instances these needs can be met more effectively and efficiently through targeted messages. These are communication products that fill, in as direct a manner as possible, the information needs of specialized audiences. Although targeted messages occasionally are prepared for the mass media, more often they are communicated via booklets, brochures, audiovisual materials and other media that best reach the intended audience, allowing for limitations of budget and time. A model for producing and disseminating targeted science messages in the area of youth and family development is presented, and several case histories are described. The principal benefit of this model is that it permits scientists a measure of responsibility for the accuracy and validity of what is being communicated, and at the same time, assures that the product meets the needs of its audience.

Continuing medical education before audit.

Patient-care-assessment systems have failed to demonstrate efficiency in detecting continuing education needs or in influencing clinical practice. We believe that one of the weaknesses in retrospective audit systems is their tendency to result in the ratification of criteria which match past practices rather than criteria which incorporate new, science-based information. This is in spite of the fact that for many years guidelines for medical audit processes have encouraged physicians to develop science-based criteria. This study was undertaken to determine whether continuing education programs preceding patient care audits can induce physicians to choose criteria beyond their own experience. A highly significant difference was found between audit criteria developed after education programs and those which were developed without such programs. The results indicate that educational efforts can have a striking effect on the criteria ratified by audit committees.