Features

Crowd Packs UnQuarked To Hear About ATHENA

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LANL scientist Jennifer Harris discusses the ATHENA project during Wednesday evening’s Science on Tap event at Unquarked in Central Park Square. Courtesy photo

A crowd packs Unquarked in Central Park Square Wendesday evening the hear about the ATHENA project underway at LANL. Courtesy photo

LANL’s ATHENA is designed to simulate organ systems such as liver, heart, lung and kidney. Courtesy photo

Creative District News:

Despite snowy weather conditions Wednesday night, more than 50 people attended the Science On Tap to hear Jennifer Harris talk about the ATHENA project Read More

Free Community Seminar For Heart Month March 6

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HEART COUNCIL News: 

In honor of Heart Month, the Los Alamos Heart Council is hosting a free community seminar by Dr. Kayvan Ellini of the Presbyterian Heart Group.

The seminar is 5:30 p.m., March 6 at First Baptist Church, 2200 Diamond Dr.

The objectives of the seminar, Fantastic Journey Through Your Heart: New ways to Treat Heart Disease include:

  • Innovations in devices for treatment of heart disease;
  • Advances in medicines and minimally invasive procedures; and
  • Outlook for improved cardiac treatment outcomes.

A complimentary dinner will be served. Preregistration by March Read More

Science On Tap: ATHENA & Surrogate Human Organs

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Creative District News:

New drugs are under constant development but most fail in clinical trials. Why do so many drugs pass animal testing, but fail in Phase 1 clinical trials in humans? Are animal models of human diseases ultimately really a good model for humans?

Enter ATHENA. ATHENA, which stands for Advanced Tissue-engineered Human External Network Analyzer, is designed to simulate organ systems (such as liver, heart, lung, and kidney) and can be used as a first-line test for potential toxicity analysis since the system can mimic the response of actual human organs. Such Read More

LAPS Celebrates ‘Amazing’ Guidance Counselors

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A balloon toss was one activity that counselors used as a ‘Brain Break’ to relieve stress during finals week at Los Alamos High School. Courtesy/LAPS

 
By Superintendent Dr. Kurt Stenhaus
Los Alamos Public Schools

Los Alamos Public Schools is brimming with amazing and dedicated employees, but school guidance counselors and clinical counselors have an especially important role in helping LAPS students grow and succeed.

In order to help the Los Alamos community better understand their unique contribution, LAPS wants to honor and recognize those who work tirelessly to support students, Read More

Cold Versus Flu: Questions & Answers

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CDC News:

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu.

People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Read More

Indoor Safety During Winter Storms

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CDC News:

When using a wood stove, fireplace or space heater during the winter months, be extremely careful.

Heat Homes Safely

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and remember these safety tips:

  • Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space.
  • Have your heating system serviced by a qualified technician every year.
  • Do not burn paper in a fireplace.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation if you must use a kerosene heater.
  • Use only the type of fuel your heater is designed to use—don’t substitute.
Read More

Flu Activity Still Rising In New Mexico

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NMDOH News:

Seasonal flu activity remains high in both our state and nationwide.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports the number of flu-related illnesses and deaths continue to increase across New Mexico.

NMDOH reports 28 flu-related deaths and 100 pneumonia related deaths in adults so far in the 2017-2018 flu season.

Flu-related hospitalizations, especially in those aged 65 and older, continue to steadily increase.since October, the department has investigated 27-flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities, a number that is already more than the number of outbreaks investigated Read More

Changes Afoot At Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service

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Debbie Weber, Wendi Wolfe and Rick Reiss. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
 
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post

Changes are afoot at Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service. A longtime employee is retiring, and a former employee is returning to take the helm of the not-for-profit home health and hospice agency.

“Our Board is happy to announce the appointment of our new executive director Wendi Wolfe, RN-NE,” said Board President Rick Reiss during an interview Monday with the Los Alamos Daily Post. “We are impressed with her credentials, her service to the Read More

Vote To Put Patients First Makes History

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House Democrats News:
 
SANTA FE ― Monday, a bipartisan bill to ensure patients get the right medication at the right time made history, and passed the House Floor.
 
Senate Bill 11, sponsored by Representatives Elizabeth Thomson (D-Albuquerque), Monica Youngblood (R-Albuquerque) and Senators Elizabeth Stefanics (D-Cerrillos) and Gay G. Kernan (R-Hobbs), would improve “step therapy”, the practice used by insurance companies to cut costs by requiring patients to try more affordable treatment options before more expensive ones.
 
SB 11 would allow doctors to skip treatments
Read More

Udall, Lujan Grisham Introduce Bill To Help Native Students Access Healthy Foods

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs; Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.); and U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) reintroduced legislation in the Senate and House to give Tribes an important tool to address the pervasive and serious problem of child hunger and nutrition-related diseases.
 
The Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act of 2018 acknowledges that Tribes better understand the needs of their communities and are better positioned to ensure children
Read More