01 November 2006

Tracking the News on Medical Advances

Across the United States and throughout the world researchers are pursuing breakthroughs in medical and therapeutic treatments of various disabling conditions. Some medical news is reported in the general media, but most is published in various specialized media. These include scientific and professional journals and Web sites and publications of universities, nongovernmental organizations, government agencies that deal with health and disability issues, and the foundations that help support the work. Many of the organizations—and, therefore, their journals and Web sites—focus on a special area of medical research. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of sites in the United States alone.

One excellent source is the Web site of the Waisman Center of the University of Wisconsin. The center specializes in research, training, service, and outreach dedicated to advancing knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases. The center’s home page, which can be found at http://www.waisman.wisc.edu, includes news and noteworthy items. On one day in October 2006, for example, the page featured information about research on a rare condition affecting the Hmong people, a report on the benefits of meditation on the brain, and an item on research into human memory formation. Other sections of the page focus on the research center, stem cell research, the brain imaging lab, and a biomanufacturing facility.

Choosing “The Family Village” on the home page takes visitors to “A Global Community of Disability-Related Resources.” Then, clicking on “Research” leads to choices for medical, disability-specific, special education, rehabilitation, disability statistics, and community services and supports. Choosing “Medical” leads to another extensive list of options. The site includes a dictionary of medical terms, tools for searching medical publications and online journals, and many other resources.