In January we changed the default search scope for Health Information @ Himmelfarb, the library catalog, to automatically include print materials at other Washington Research Library Consortium Libraries. Including this content can improve your search results when searching for books and topics beyond clinical medicine. Print materials can be borrowed for free from the other consortium libraries and delivered to Himmelfarb or the VSTC Library though the Consortium Loan Service. You can read more about the change in our previous Library News article.
The change is temporary as we gather feedback about it from users. You can provide your feedback to us through the form that is linked at the top of Health Information @ Himmelfarb or directly here.
We are particularly interested in your satisfaction with search results using the new default scope. If you report issues with other functions through the form we will reach out to you to find a resolution if you supply your email, or you can get immediate help during business hours using our chat service.
In addition to feedback form input, we plan to hold a focus group for more insights into how you use Health Information @ Himmelfarb and the impact of the scope change. If you would be willing to participate in a focus group, respond on the feedback form and be sure to include your email address. Participants will be entered into a raffle for a $10 Starbucks gift card.
Himmelfarb Library is pleased to announce that we are now on LinkedIn and ready to connect with our users on this professional networking platform. On our LinkedIn profile, you will receive updates on new blog articles that cover a range of topics such as new resources and tools, suggestions to improve scholarly communications, recognition of health and cultural awareness months and classroom management resources or services such as Himmelfarb’s durable link service. Additionally, you will see promotions for upcoming library events, new faculty-authored materials that are added to the library’s collection and other pertinent and professional news related to the health sciences . Our LinkedIn profile will also showcase the professional accomplishments of SMHS, GWSPH and SON faculty members and students.
In addition to our new LinkedIn profile, Himmelfarb Library is available on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and our news blog, Himmelfarb Library News. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay up to date on new services, resources and other exciting library news.
Regardless of how much winter we have left, health is important any time of year.
And it’s true: the components of a healthy life remain the same year-round - sleep, hydration, socialization, nutrition, exercise - only the conditions and obstacles change.
As winter wanes into spring, the days slowly warm and brighten – but it can still be more difficult to get outside to exercise or socialize, or the cold might encourage unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Perhaps it helps to think of the cold as a challenge rather than an undefeatable difficulty.
We always need to hydrate - but the need to hydrate is more apparent in the summer heat. Winter can be a time for conscious health decisions.
Similarly, as the seasons warm up, people are more likely to stand around outside or chat with passing acquaintances. Spontaneous social interaction - and social interaction in general - are both markers of positive health outcomes. In winter, it’s useful to ramp up social planning, visit places you’re likely to bump into acquaintances (position yourself for spontaneity at coffee shops or even the Himmelfarb Library :P), or attend winter activities (see items that recur into March and April).
And those who do seek winter exercise can enjoy the low humidity and lack of bugs. It’s great to plan even a walk in these shorter days, not just because of seasonal effects on mood, but because schedules might preclude seeing any sunshine at all.
With the right effort, we can make the most of winter as we welcome spring.
If you’ve spent any time using Himmelfarb Library’s website, you’ve probably seen our Ask Us Chat. This chat reference service is one of the more popular ways Himmelfarb users get answers to their questions. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), it’s natural to wonder if you’re actually speaking to a real person or just a chatbot when you interact with chat services online.
Himmelfarb’s Ask Us Chat service is staffed by real people Monday through Thursday from 8am to 8pm, and on Friday from 8am to 5pm. You’re not only chatting with a real person, but you’re chatting with a member of Himmelfarb’s dedicated reference department who are trained and skilled at finding answers to your toughest reference questions! You’ve probably even seen the person you’re chatting with around the library, or leading a webinar or tutorial you’ve watched. They might even be embedded in one of your classes!
We thought it was time that we introduce ourselves, so you can get to know some of the folks on the other side of the chat who are answering your questions. Without further ado, we’d like you to meet three of our amazing Reference Librarians: Rachel, Tom, and Deborah!
Rachel Brill
Rachel joined Himmelfarb’s reference and instruction department about two years ago, and has been a vital part of the Himmelfarb team ever since! When asked what her favorite part of working reference at Himmelfarb was, she said “It’s a really special feeling when someone’s been struggling to find that piece of information they need, and I’m able to locate it for them.” When Rachel isn’t at work, she likes to play with her cat and listen to show tunes.
Rachel wants our library users to know that “there are no ‘stupid’ questions that you can ask us - the Himmelfarb librarians are passionate about helping you learn, so ask away!”
Tom Harrod
Tom has been with Himmelfarb for about 13 and a half years and is one of the longest-serving reference librarians on staff. He now oversees the Reference and Instruction and Circulation departments at Himmelfarb as Associate Director of Reference, Instruction, and Access.
Tom’s favorite part of working reference is: “the feeling of knowing you’ve helped someone do something that had previously been a source of anxiety or uncertainty for them.” Tom gave the example of being able to help a student who wants to do a systematic review but doesn’t know what that entails. He enjoys “being able to talk them through the process, breaking it down into discrete steps they can take, and eventually, they have a growing feeling of comfort with the project because they now have a direction to go.”
Tom explained that there’s such a variety of chat questions - some quick questions that can be answered in 30 seconds or less, and other, more complex questions that can go on for multiple hours! Tom shared that “after having answered many chat questions over the years, there’s always something new you’ve never heard before that presents a challenge.”
When asked about his hobbies outside of work, Tom said “I used to have hobbies but instead, I now have a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old child. I am currently able to make some time for reading and last summer I embraced the typical ‘dad’ activity of becoming enthusiastic about BBQing/smoking food on the grill.”
Tom wants our users to know that “though we do our best to answer every question that comes in via chat, we’re also happy to set up a phone, in-person, or virtual meeting to handle more complicated, in-depth consultations.” Reach out to us via email (himmelfarb@gwu.edu) to schedule a meeting!
Deborah Wassertzug
Deborah has been a valued member of our reference team since December 2022. Her favorite part of working reference at Himmelfarb is all of the people she comes into contact with, whether online or in person.
When asked about a memorable chat interaction, she had two to share:
“When I worked at another university, someone signed onto library chat and demanded to know whether I was a human being or a bot. I assured them I was human."
“At GW, my favorite chat interactions turn into consultations! Sometimes there is a quick answer, but other times it is the tip of an iceberg -- it is always fun to get to delve more in-depth with a research project someone is just starting on.”
Outside of work, Deborah enjoys going to a lot of concerts, mostly classical and indie rock. She also writes poetry. Deborah wants our users to know that “Everyone who works at Himmelfarb is truly dedicated to providing the best possible library service and the strongest support for researchers.”
Ask Us! Real People are Waiting to Answer Your Questions!
So now you’ve met some of the real people who answer your Ask Us chat questions every day! Please reach out via chat, email (himmelfarb@gwu.edu), or call us at 202-994-2850 with your questions. Regardless of your preferred method of communication, you’ll be connected to a real person who can answer your questions. And rest assured, we’ll always work to find answers to your toughest questions.
"I do not know that answer right now - but I will do everything in my power to get that information for you. Please hold..."
In honor of Black History Month, Himmelfarb Library celebrates the life of Dr. Numa Pompilius Garfield Adams, the first Black Dean of Howard University’s College of Medicine. Numa P.G. Adams was born in 1885 in Delaplane, Virginia, about 55 miles west of Washington, D.C. His grandmother, Mrs. Amanda Adams, an important figure in Adams’ life, was a respected midwife who assisted in delivering hundreds of babies (Cobb, 1951). According to a 1951 article in the Journal of the National Medical Association, Adams’ grandmother “inspired the beginning of his scientific curiosity” through her “vast knowledge of medicinal herbs” (Cobb, 1951).
At age 13, Adams’ family moved to Steelton, Pennsylvania. Adams bought a second-hand cornet in Pennsylvania and learned to play (AAREG, n.d.). This musical ability would serve him well later in life when he played in bands to earn the money that would pay his way through college and medical school (Cobb, 1951). Adams attended public school in Pennsylvania and graduated high school with honors in 1905 (Cobb, 1951). After high school, he spent a year working as a substitute teacher in Steelton, followed by a year teaching seventh grade in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Cobb, 1951).
In 1911, Adams received a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and earned a master’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University in 1912 (Cobb, 1951). Adams served as an instructor, assistant professor, and associate professor of chemistry at Howard University from 1912-1919, and as the head of the Department of Chemistry from 1918 to 1919 (Cobb, 1951). Adams left Howard University to begin medical school at Rush Medical College in the Spring of 1920 and received an M.D. after completing an internship at St. Louis City Hospital No. 2 in 1924 (Cobb, 1951).
In 1929, Adams became the first Black dean of Howard University College of Medicine, a role he would have until he died in 1940 (Lloyd, 2006). He is largely remembered for his fervent recruitment of young faculty members, specifically young Black faculty. Through funding from the General Education Board, Adams was able to send these young Black faculty members for “two years of advanced training at prestigious universities and hospitals around the country” (Lloyd, 2006). Dr. Charles Drew was among the faculty members Adams recruited into this program. During his final years as Dean, Adams was instrumental in integrating Howard University and Freedman’s Hospital (AAREG, n.d).
Adams also continued to work on projects outside of the medical school. Adams was active in numerous professional organizations. He served as Chairman of the Commission on Medical Education and was a member of the Advisory Committee on the Legislation of the National Medical Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Hygiene Society, and the National Tuberculosis Association just to name a few (Maloney, 1940).
Adams was a staunch supporter of medical libraries, and when he was shown plans for the Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, “he quietly pointed out that he saw no provision for a library and a first-class hospital must have a good library” (Cobb, 1951). Adams even published a piece in the Journal of the National Medical Association titled “Medical Libraries in Approved Hospitals for Negroes” in 1938. In this article, he states:
“No investment of hospital funds will produce bigger or better income than that made in the blossoming and maintenance of an adequate medical library. For an approved hospital the provision of such a library is an obligation.” (Adams, 1938)
Adams died on August 29, 1940, at Billings Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Maloney said of Adams in a published memorial that Adams was a “builder of brains” and the “builder and conservator of health” (Maloney, 1940). Adams was highly thought of by those who knew him, including Dr. Robert A. Lambert, former Associate Medical Director of The Rockefeller Foundation. Lambert stated that his “estimate of Dr. Adams may be summarily expressed in the designation man of wisdom, fine sensibility, clear judgment, patient determination, and courageous action” (Cobb, 1951). Dr. Joseph L. Johnson, former Dean of Howard University School of Medicine stated that “to know Numa Adams was to respect, to admire, and to love him. He was of a brilliant mind and was always the quiet, unassuming, soft-spoken gentleman. One could never know of his greatness from his lips” (Cobby, 1951).
References:
Adams N. P. (1938). Medical Libraries in Approved Hospitals for Negroes. Journal of the National Medical Association, 30(2), 49–53.
In its January 19th issue, Science reported on the increasingly aggressive and corrupt methods that paper mills are employing to get bogus research published in respected journals. You can listen to the Science podcast for an interview with the author of the article, Frederik Joelving from Retraction Watch.
Last year Nicholas Wise, a fluid dynamics researcher at Cambridge with an interest in scientific fraud, found Facebook postings by Olive Academic (a Chinese paper mill) offering substantial payments to journal editors to accept papers for publication. Further digging revealed payments of up to $20,000 and a list of more than 50 journal editors who had signed on. Wise and other experts in scientific fraud joined up with Science and Retraction Watch to investigate if this was an isolated incident or more widespread. They found similar activity by several other paper mills and more than 30 editors of reputable journals who were complicit. Publishers like Elsevier and Taylor and Francis say they are under siege, admitting that their journal editors are regularly approached with bribes from paper mills.
Special editions of journals were found to be most vulnerable to these scams because they are often edited by individuals or teams separate from the regular editorial boards. The investigation found that paper mills will at times engineer entire special issues themselves. “The latest generation papermill, they’re like the entire production line” (Joelving, 2024). Open access special issues can generate large profits for publishers based on the fees collected from authors, sometimes via paper mills. Wiley, Elsevier and other well known publishers have had regular journal editors involved in these special issue scams.
As a result of the investigation Hindawi and its parent company Wiley pulled thousands of papers in special issues due to compromised peer review and Wiley announced in December that the Hindawi brand would be suspended. The Hindawi retracted papers had ties to Tamjeed Publishing that acted as a broker between paper mills and multiple editors.
The need to publish to advance in certain professions becomes especially problematic in places where students or young professionals cannot easily attain the training or resources to do research that is publishable. This creates the market for paper mills. More than half of Chinese medical residents surveyed in a preprint referred to in the Science story said they had engaged in research misconduct such as buying papers or fabricating results. The Financial Times reported last year on how widespread the problem is in China and how it “threatens to overwhelm the editorial processes of a significant number of journals.”(Olcott and Smith, 2023)
It’s not just a problem in China. India, Russia, a number of ex-Soviet countries and Saudi Arabia are also common sources of paper mills engaging in these practices. There is concern that papers coming from these countries will start to draw extra scrutiny, creating potential inequities for researchers from them.
Though there is now increased awareness and a desire by reputable publishers to crack down on fraud, it is difficult and time consuming to do. The exponential growth of peer review fraud and sham papers make it all but impossible to ferret out all the publications that should be retracted. An analysis by Nature late last year concluded that over 10,000 articles were retracted in 2023 with retractions rising at a rate that far exceeds the growth of scientific papers. And they speculate it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Joelving, F. (2024). Paper trail. Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science), 383(6680), 252–255. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ado0309
Treat yourself and your loved ones this Valentine’s Day with a choice of delicious healthy chocolate desserts. There are plenty of nutritious and tasty recipes to enjoy. From desserts rich in vitamins, dairy-free, low-carb, low sodium, high-fiber, vegan, gluten-free, and more, there’s something for everyone. Let your heart be happy and healthy this Valentine’s Day!
When you’re craving a comforting dessert on Valentine’s Day, this pudding cake is sure to satisfy you. As it bakes, a rich-tasting sauce will form which will delight your senses. The recipe calls for coffee which adds complex depth to the cake's flavor.
This healthy easy-to-make, rich-tasting chocolate pudding uses creamy avocados, Medjool dates, and unsweetened plant-based milk. Serve this nutritious creamy dessert with your favorite fruit topping.
For those moments when you crave a satisfying chocolatey treat, this quick and easy brownie recipe is a great choice. Cook this fudge brownie in a mug in the microwave and it's ready in less than a minute!
Try these flourless cookies with simple ingredients that get their volume from whipped egg whites (like a meringue) instead of grains. This recipe is gluten-free and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A chocolate chip in each bite adds to the rich chocolate flavor.
Creamy Chocolate Gelato Nutrition Profile: Dairy-Free, Low-Sodium, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie Make this ultra-chocolaty, dairy-free Sicilian-style gelato at home. It’s a perfect treat for Valentine’s Day. Made without eggs or cream, it’s relatively lean but still creamy-smooth and flavorful. The coconut milk used for the base gives it a silky, rich texture with a subtle coconut flavor.
The chocolate nut bark is easy to make and great to have on hand for a delicious nutritious snack. Choose your favorite chocolate and combination of nuts to make this quick and easy recipe. It can serve as a simple dessert or healthy snack that will stay fresh for weeks.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is recognized every year on February 11th. It is a day to recognize the contributions women and girls have made to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field, while also addressing the lack of gender diversity within various STEM-related professions. António Guterres, the Secretary General for the United Nations, wrote in his message honoring the day that “From climate change to health to artificial intelligence, the equal participation of women and girls in scientific discovery and innovation is the only way to ensure that science works for everyone.” (United Nations, 2024) While significant strides have been made in the representation of women in science and technology, there are barriers that must be dismantled to recruit more women into the field.
According to data from the United States Census Bureau, from 1970 to 2019 the percentage of women in the STEM workforce increased from 8% to 27%. Men represented 73% of STEM workers in 2019. Despite the gains for women in the STEM workforce, they are not evenly distributed among the different career paths under the STEM umbrella. For example, women “made up nearly half of those in all math (47%) and life and physical science (45%) occupations” while “Women represented only about a quarter of computer workers and 15% of those in engineering occupations.” (United States Census Bureau, 2021) Pew Research Center data supplements this information. “Women earned 85% of the bachelor’s degrees in health-related fields, but just 22% in engineering and 19% in computer science as of 2018.” (Pew Research Center, 2021) For the women working in these careers, they often earn less money than their male colleagues. The median earnings for women in STEM careers was $66,200, while the median earnings for men was $90,000. (Pew Research Center, 2021)
Women in STEM frequently encounter additional personal and systemic challenges when they enter the career field. The 2020 documentary Picture a Scientist follows several women in different STEM-related careers. The women discuss why they entered into their respective fields, their research interests and some of the challenges they have encountered while working as a scientist. They speak candidly about workplace harassment, lack of institutional support and other barriers, shining a light on some of the harsh realities women face from their fellow colleagues or from professional organizations. Picture a Scientist is available to users through the Himmelfarb Library’s Streaming Video Collection and is worth watching to learn more about the experiences of women in STEM.
International Day of Women & Girls in Science is an important day to draw more women interested in STEM and openly discuss effective strategies to keep women in the field. Having women in STEM positions will provide space for new perspectives and insights into technical and scientific issues currently facing the world.
References:
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. (2023). Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf23315/report
The Lunar New Year is upon us! During this time of year, families worldwide awaken to the dawn of a new year, one that holds promises of prosperity and joy. Also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, this is a time of great significance for many across the globe. 2024 ushers in the year of the Dragon, which is a symbol of power, strength, courage, and good fortune.
From February 10th to the 16th, activities will be held across the globe that are filled with ancient customs and modern revelry. If you would like to participate in or see such festivities, DC has its very own Chinese Lunar New Year Parade on Sunday, February 11th!
In China, preparations for the Lunar New Year often begin weeks in advance as families clean their homes to sweep away any traces of bad luck from the previous year. This tradition, known as "spring cleaning" is believed to invite good fortune and prosperity into the household. Vibrant red decorations adorn doorways and windows, symbolizing luck and protection from misfortune into the new year.
From dawn until dusk, throughout the Lunar New Year festivities of traditional meals, parades, and fireworks, intertwine with modern celebrations that create a tapestry of cultural richness and diversity that brings many together.
For many, this occasion is not only a time for celebration but also a moment of reflection and renewal. It's a time to set intentions for the coming year, express gratitude for blessings received, and embrace the many opportunities that come our way.
From the Himmelfarb Library, we wish you a safe and joyous Lunar New Year, while welcoming in a new chapter filled with promise and possibility, especially to those who celebrate!
With Humanities Highlights, Himmelfarb staff aims to spotlight useful books from our Humanities collection. This week, we’re showcasing “The Status Syndrome: How Social Standing Affects Our Health and Longevity” by Sir Michael Marmot.
About the Book: Based on the Whitehall Studies (ten year mortality studies into the British Civil Service), “The Status Syndrome” is the culmination of Sir Michael Marmot’s decades long research. In it, he concludes that autonomy and the ability to participate in society are key factors of health. Relentlessly, he investigates the usual suspects of poor health - smoking, processed foods, etc - and demonstrates how they don’t fully account for health disparities. A blend of medical research and public health recommendation, “The Status Syndrome” demonstrates a keen intersection of analysis and application.
Reasons to Read: Beyond being highly accessible, Michael Marmot brings a unique perspective as the original leader of the Whitehall studies. And since the studies themselves focus solely on the middle class, the book avoids the obvious (ex: of course dire poverty leads to poor health outcomes).
It’s a book that goes beyond left and right wing politics, and, in fact, might challenge either value-set. It can be read selfishly - i.e. what are the ingredients for a healthy/quality life, and how do I position myself? Or, it can be read selflessly - i.e. how can we organize society so others can have a healthy/quality life?
Reasons to Avoid: The book takes a commonsense idea - higher status correlates tightly with better health outcomes - and takes the magnifying glass to its nuances. But if you prefer easily graspable ideas without looking into the examples, then “higher status correlates tightly with better health outcomes” might be enough for you.
If you’re a policy-junky, you can skim the Acheson report online (fully titled the “Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health Report”), from which Marmot derives his government recommendations.
(Not) Fun Facts:
In an eye-opening example, Marmot features our very own D.C. as an example of status gradient. “The status syndrome can be illustrated by a short ride on the Washington, D.C., subway. Travel from the southeast of downtown Washington to Montgomery County, Maryland. For each mile traveled, life expectancy rises about a year and a half. There is a twenty-year gap between poor blacks at one end of the journey and rich whites at the other” (Marmot, p. 2).
References
Marmot, Michael. (2005). The Status Syndrome. Times Books.
