American Medical Women’s Association
women in science If you’re a medical student at CMS, you’ve probably heard of the Michealis-Menten equation (once, twice or a thousand times). But did you know that Maud Menten was a female scientist? She was an early 20th century biologist working in Toronto, Canada in enzyme kinetics when she developed the equation we all know and love (and wish we could forget). Note: information courtesy of 4000 Years of Women in Science
hysteria and hysterectomy… is there a connection? The word uterus has Greek roots from the word hystera, the womb. Hysteria also has roots from the same Greek noun “because [it was] mistakenly thought to be of uterine causation.” So why do we still use the term hysteria and all of its relatives? *a special thanks to Dr. Ann Snyder, Dept of Pharmacology, for this fact
gluten intolerance linked to osteoporosis Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, reported in the March 1, 2005 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine that individuals with osteoporosis are more likely than those without to also suffer from celiac disease, which causes an immune reaction to gluten that interferes with the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients. Reporting on data from a review of 266 patients being treated for osteoporosis, the authors found that 9 of them had celiac disease, suggesting that as many as 4% of osteoporotic patients may have developed the bone condition as a result of gluten intolerance. (HealthDay News, 3/1/05 news from AMWA NEWSFlash)
ACL injuries more common in female athletes Women suffer injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which connects the femur to the tibia, at two to four times the rate of men. Research presented last week at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) indicates that posture and body movements, affecting the way an athlete changes direction, slows down from running, or lands from a jump, may be responsible for the higher rate of injury in female athletes. In a study of 18 female and 17 male soccer players, researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, found that women tend to hold their trunks and hips in a more erect posture. (AAOS, 2/25/04 news from AMWA NEWSFlash)
women’s health studies program at RFUMS! In September 2005, the College of Health Professions will launch the Women’s Health Studies Program (pending approval by the IBHE). This exciting new initiative will allow students to earn either a Certificate or Master of Science degree in Women’s Studies. The program is designed for self-motivated health-care professionals looking to expand their knowledge of women’s health.
breast cancer- Listen to Marisa Weiss, oncologist and president/founder of www.breastcancer.org, as she discusses genetics and breast cancer on NPR’s Talk of the Nation.
roe v. wade Listen to two sides of the Roe v. Wade argument, heard on NPR’s All Things Considered.
women’s health curriculum Are you learning enough about women’s health in medical school? Find out which Medical schools offer Reproductive Health electives and take a few minutes to look at the RHI Model Curriculum, 2nd Edition.
maep The Medical Abortion Education Project will return to CMS! Please watch for news about the next informational session sponsored by AMWA and MSFC.