Whole Genome Sequences from a Diverse Human Population Now Available Through the All of Us Research Hub

In March 2022, the All of Us Research Program announced the release of its initial genomic dataset: nearly 100,000 whole genome sequences and 165,000 genotyping arrays, with nearly 50% coming from people who self-identify with a racial or ethnic minority group.

In an announcement about the release of the genomic data, Kelsey Mayo, Ph.D., scientific portfolio and product manager at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Data and Research Center, states:

“What’s going to grab researchers’ attention is the diversity of the cohort. Half of our cohort is non-European. More than 90% of participants in genome-wide association studies have been of European descent. There’s just a real absence of genetic data from African, Asian, and Latino people. All of Us participants are providing this important data that’s been missing in health research. So we are going to have that new genetic information that’s been missing.”

Plans for forthcoming releases include data from participants who self-identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, with resources to provide important context for researchers.

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New Bates’ Visual Guide Videos on Streaming Media

Sample Communication & Interpersonal Skills Video thumbnailThe popular online streaming media resource Bates’ Visual Guide to Physical Examination has a new series of “Communication and Interpersonal Skills” videos available on the HSLS Streaming Media page. The 27 recently added videos concentrate on the fundamental interpersonal and communication techniques often demonstrated in clinical encounters, such as appropriate nonverbal communication, broaching sensitive topics, and interprofessional communication. Some of the videos address topics relevant to diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as “Use of Preferred Title, Name, and Gender Pronoun” and  “Rapport: Patients with Physical and Sensory Disabilities.”

In addition to these videos, HSLS provides access to two additional series of Bates’ Visual Guide videos, “Physical Examination” and “OSCE Clinical Skills.” The physical examination videos focus on clinical accuracy and patient care with topics such as “Head-to-Toe Assessment: Adult” and “Head-to-Toe Assessment: Child.” The OSCE clinical skills videos, with topics such as “Shortness of Breath” and “Memory Loss,” provide examples of new patient encounters, to help viewers practice their clinical reasoning skills.

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Featured Workshop: Find and Get the Research Funding You Need

HSLS offers classes in a wide array of subjects—instructional and visual design, molecular biology, literature searching, and more! You can quickly view all upcoming classes and events or sign up to receive the weekly “Upcoming HSLS Classes and Workshops” email.

Featured workshop of the month: Find and Get the Research Funding You Need

Tuesday, June 14, 2022, 10-11 a.m.

Register for this virtual workshop*

Applying for grants and securing research funding plays a crucial role in the research process, as it can help advance the successful execution of the research project. However, knowing where to start can be intimidating due to the variety of funders (federal, state, non-profit, etc.), types of awards (grants, scholarships, etc.), recipient requirements (early-career researcher, doctoral student, institutional, etc.), and other factors. While there is plenty of online information regarding this topic, searching the internet can cause information overload or provide misleading advice. The key to getting funding is not simply finding an award and applying for it, but applying to the right funder for the appropriate type of award.

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MLA ‘22 Annual Meeting Participation

The Medical Library Association held its Annual Meeting, MLA ’22, both virtually and in person in New Orleans, Louisiana, May 3-6, 2022. Congratulations to those from HSLS who participated in and contributed to the meeting:

MLA ’22 New Orleans, May 3-6 2022, #MLANET22, mlanet.org, “Reconnect, Renew, Reflect”Lightning Talk

Stephen Gabrielson, Scholarly Communication Librarian, presented “More than Manuscripts: Redesigning a Scholarly Communication Guide to Include Multiple Research Outputs.” Co-authors were Carrie Iwema, former Coordinator of Basic Science Services, Melissa Ratajeski, Assistant Director for Data and Publishing Services, Helenmary Sheridan, Data Services Librarian, and Francesca Yates, Research and Instruction Librarian.

Presentations

Kirsten Crowhurst, TEC Program Innovation Strategist, Michael Balkenhol, NNLM All of Us Community Engagement Coordinator, and Tess Wilson, TEC Program Manager, were co-authors of the presentation “Citizen/Community Science & Crowdsourcing with the National Library of Medicine,” presented by Yamila M. El-Khayat, AZ Health Sciences Library. Other co-authors were Nancy Shin, Network of the National Library of Medicine Region 5, Stefania Acosta Ramirez, University of Iowa, Darlene Cavalier, SciStarter and Arizona State University, and Caroline Nickerson, SciStarter.

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Film and Slide Scanners Available to Borrow from Falk Library

Though we’re now accustomed to using digital cameras and computer-based PowerPoints in our daily lives, in the not-too-distant past, these technologies relied on tangible media and analog processes. The first mainstream digital camera only came onto the market in 1994; before then, physical film and slides were needed to capture and present images. Given their recent popularity, you’ve probably stumbled across film or slides in a forgotten filing cabinet or overflowing closet at some point. If you’re inclined to clean out this storage space and bring these images into the 21st century, HSLS now has two scanners available to help you with the digitization process.

The Kodak Mini Digital Film Scanner is a beginner-friendly, versatile scanner that scans images directly onto an SD card. Simply insert your film strip or slide into the provided adapter, load it into the scanner, and scan your image with the press of a button. If you’re not satisfied with your digitized image, you can adjust the brightness, coloration, and resolution at which you’re scanning. When you’re done scanning, remember to transfer your images from the provided SD card onto your own external storage device or computer before returning the equipment to Falk Library.

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HSLS Staff News

The HSLS Staff News section includes recent HSLS presentations, publications, staff changes, staff promotions, degrees earned, and more.

News

Congratulations to Anthony Harris, LMS Instructional Technologist for the NNLM All of Us Program Center, on earning his Master of Science in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information.

Congratulations to Marissa Spade, Marketing and Web Specialist, on earning a graduate certificate in Marketing Analytics from Pennsylvania State University.