Nuclear/Radiological Threat and Effects Experts Share Latest Research Findings

Newswise — Leading experts on worldwide nuclear and radiological response, radiobiology and the medical effects of exposure to ionizing radiation will present the current findings during an annual course at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences' (USU) Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), July 30 through Aug. 3, 2007.

The talks are part of the annual Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation Course (MEIR): Scientific Update. The postgraduate-level instruction, with continuing education credits is intended primarily for military personnel, healthcare providers, senior disaster preparedness personnel, and operational planners.

The event will include a tour of the unique radiation facilities at AFRRI, a presentation by Albert Wiley, M.D., director of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center and Training Site (REAC/TS), on radiation accidents and triage, and a presentation by Evan Douple, Ph.D., scholar at the National Academies, on the late effects of exposure to ionizing radiation.

In addition, the course will cover the biomedical consequences of radiation exposure, how the effects can be reduced, and how to medically manage casualties. The course addresses these specific topics: fundamentals of ionizing radiation, ionizing radiation interactions with cells and organs, diagnosis and treatment of acute radiation syndromes and combined injuries, psychological effects of radiation exposure, internal radionuclide contamination, radiological defense, and radioprotection. Students are acquainted with the hazards of ionizing radiation, radiation pathology, human exposure resulting from radiation accidents, consequences of nuclear weapons detonation, and nuclear accident response by government organizations.

AFRRI, a component of USU, conducts research in the field of radiobiology and related matters essential to the operational and medical support of the U.S. Department of Defense and the military services. AFRRI provides services and performs cooperative research with other federal and civilian agencies and institutions, and it responds to radiological crises and conducts consequence management missions.

USU is the nation's federal school of medicine and graduate school of nursing. The students are active-duty uniformed officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and U.S. Public Health Service who are being educated to deal with wartime casualties, national disasters, emerging infectious diseases and other public health emergencies.

To register and for an agenda or more information about the MEIR Course, go to http://www.afrri.usuhs.mil/www/outreach/meir/meir.htm

For more information about AFRRI or USU, visit http://www.usuhs.mil or call the Office of External Affairs at (301) 295-1219.