ICE 2010

The 14th International Congress of Endocrinology (ICE 2010) will be held in Kyoto, Japan on 26-30 March 2010. ICE 2010 Kyoto is the new style of ICE under the new statutes of the International Society of Endocrinology (ISE). As the host society, the Japan Endocrine Society is planning to organise an outstanding congress on endocrinology and metabolism in science that will also foster international friendship. Twelve official satellite symposia are also planned before and after the main congress in Kyoto and other cities. Registration is now open at the website below; the early bird deadline is 31 October 2009.

ICE 2010

Increased impact factors for all ESE journals

ESE’s official journals have all increased their standing in the new impact factors announced in June. The impact factors, produced by US-based company Thomson Reuters (formerly ISI), reflect the average number of citations in 2008 of articles published in 2006 and 2007.

European Journal of Endocrinology continues its dramatic upward trend for the fourth year running, reaching a spectacular 3.791, its highest ever. Thomson Reuters’ latest report also announces, for the first time, the ‘five-year impact factor’: this comes in even higher at 3.905, revealing that EJE’s increased standing is a solid, longer-term phenomenon.

Journal of Endocrinology’s previous figure had been depressed by the huge increase in material published in 2006 (compared with the previous year). The new figure signals its recovery is well underway with a climb of over 0.15 to 2.791. The ‘five-year impact factor’, at 3.184, demonstrates JOE’s continued long-term quality.

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology is back decisively above the psychologically important 3.0 mark at 3.225. Given Anna Spada and Jacky Burrin’s energetic new editorial initiatives, JME looks set to strengthen further in the years to come.

Endocrine-Related Cancer has consolidated its consistently excellent position with a further increase to 5.236, demonstrating its status as the established global forum for high-quality research on hormones and cancer.

The Society’s journals are all accessible via the link below.

ESE journals

ECE 2010 - Abstract submission open

The 12th European Congress of Endocrinology (ECE 2010) will be held in Prague, Czech Republic on 24-28 April 2010. Abstract submission for this meeting is now open - click on the link below for further details. Abstracts will be accepted until the closing deadline of 8 January 2010.

The programme overview is now available to download from the link below. Early registration rates are available until 12 March 2010. For further information please visit the ECE 2010 website below. We look forward to seeing you in Prague.

ECE 2010

ESE proposals to host ECE 2014 and ECE 2015

The ESE is pleased to invite proposals to host ECE 2014 and ECE 2015. The deadline for receipt of the initial expression of interest is 31 July 2009. Further details can be found on the ESE website at the link below. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the ESE Secretariat at: info@euro-endo.org.

ESE website

1st Basic Postgraduate Course of the European Society of Endocrinology

The 1st Basic Postgraduate Course of the European Society of Endocrinology will be held in Torino, Italy on 24-26 September 2009. The course aims to be a high level course on basic research with deep discussions, where both speakers and students participate in an interactive manner. Registration is now available at the link below. Please note, the deadline for submission of abstracts is 30 August 2009. Further information, including the scientific programme and abstract submission details, can be found at the website below.

Further details

Young Active Research

The 11th Annual Meeting of Young Active Research (YAR) will be held on 2-4 October 2009 in Munich, Germany. The YAR initiative was founded during the annual meeting of the German Endocrine Society (DGE) in 1999 and aims to increase the mutual exchange between young scientists working in the field of endocrinology. Further information and a registration form can be found at the links below.

YAR website

Registration form

8th Postgraduate Course in Clinical Endocrinology

The 8th Postgraduate Course in Clinical Endocrinology will take place in Dubrovnik, Croatia on 8-10 October 2009. The programme and registration details are now available at the link below.

ESE website

Saliva test for early birth risk (BBC news online, 22 July 2009)

A study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology shows that women at risk of premature labour have lower levels of the hormone progesterone. The authors hope that by measuring progesterone levels in expectant mothers using a simple saliva test, they will be able to predict the risk of premature birth.

Full article

Testosterone ups older men's muscle performance (Reuters, 17 July 2009)

A new study has shown that a testosterone patch in conjunction with a growth hormone injection, leads to improved muscle performance in a group of older men.

Full article

Danish study looks at link between HRT, cancer (Reuters, 14 July 2009)

A study from Denmark shows women who took HRT during the menopause were at an increased risk of contracting ovarian cancer.

Full article

New drug for type 2 diabetes helps with weight loss (Daily Telegraph, 7 July 2009)

A new drug for the treatment of diabetes has been launched in the UK. Victoza, (also known as liraglutide) made by Novo Nordisk, is taken as a daily injection and lowers the chances of hypoglycaemic attacks.

Full article

Cancer survivors at greater risk of birth complications; special monitoring needed (Alpha Galileo, 1 July 2009)

A new study warns that survivors of childhood cancer are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy, and should be closely monitored during this period.

Full article

New EMBL service makes web browsing efficient for biologists

The life sciences are scaling up and produce huge amounts of data and new literature at an amazing pace. The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) now offers a new free service to help researchers, teachers and students keep up-to-date with scientific literature on the web, especially when researching unfamiliar molecules.

In the current issue of Nature Biotechnology researchers of EMBL's Structural and Computational Biology Unit present 'Reflect', a new automated document annotation service. Reflect pinpoints all genes, proteins and small molecule names on any web page. With a single click pop-up windows provide extra information on any molecule, such as domain structure, subcellular localisation, 3D structure, and interaction partners in the case of proteins, and the chemical structure and interaction partners in the case of small molecules. The information is based on biological databases comprising 1.5 million proteins from 373 organisms and 4.3 million small molecules.

Reflect was recently awarded the first prize in the Elsevier Grand Challenge, an international contest that attracted over 70 submissions that improve the way scientific information is communicated. Reflect is freely available on the web at the link below.

Reflect

Carotid intima-media thickness in lean and obese pre-pubertal children

Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a direct and non-invasive method to evaluate and detect preclinical atherosclerosis. Adipose tissue is recognised as an endocrine tissue able to induce antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects, and while obese children have shown significantly increased cIMT, studies in lean children are lacking. Both obese and lean children have shown pro-atherosclerotic alterations in previous studies, but this study by Giannini et al. is the first to compare the negative effects of both high and low adipose tissue on the carotid arterial wall.

The study used 80 healthy pre-pubertal lean and obese children and 40 matched controls to determine whether the degree of adipose tissue storage is associated with markers of early atherosclerosis. The children were evaluated for anthropometric measurements, oxidant and antioxidant status, inflammatory markers, insulin sensitivity and cIMt by ultrasound.

In comparison to controls, cIMT was increased in lean and obese subjects, with no differences between these two groups. The study concluded that pre-pubertal lean and obese children show increased oxidative stress and impaired inflammation and insulin sensitivity, meaning that early signs of atherosclerosis can be seen even at this young age. Giannini, C., de Giorgis,T., Scarinci, A., Cataldo, I., Marcovecchio, M.L., Chiarelli, F., Mohn, A. European Journal of Endocrinology 2009, 161: 73-80 DOI: 10.1530/EJE-09-0042

National Osteoporosis Society Project Grants and Innovative Awards

The National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) is seeking applications which clearly demonstrate how they will provide benefits to the general population with osteoporosis and that support our research strategy. Applications are open for Project Grants of £150,000 over 3 years (maximum) and Innovative Awards of £20,000 over 12 months. The closing date for submission of Stage 1 applications is 31 July 2009. Further information is available at the website below, or by contacting NOS at: research@nos.org.uk.

NOS website

EMBO Molecular Medicine Sabbaticals

The EMBO Molecular Medicine Sabbaticals are established to encourage collaborations between clinicians and research scientists and to support clinicians who wish to visit basic research laboratories in a different EMBC Member State. Molecular Medicine Sabbaticals are not awarded for exchanges within the same country and are intended for joint research work rather than consultations. The sabbaticals cover travel plus subsistence of the clinician only and not of any dependents. Preference will be given to clinicians who are still in their training/clinical specialisation period. Full eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found at the website below. The closing date for applications is 1 August 2009.

EMBO website

Samuel Leonard Simpson Fellowships in Endocrinology

Via rdfunding.org.uk. Applications are invited for the Samuel Leonard Simpson Fellowships in Endocrinology. These were established in honour of Dr Samuel Leonard Simpson, a pioneer of British endocrinology. Their purpose is to enable endocrinologists to learn new techniques and acquire new experiences, ideas and stimulation through travel and the exchange of ideas. Applications are considered from suitably qualified people in the UK wishing to make visits abroad, or from those abroad wishing to visit the UK. Up to £10,000 is available, which may be awarded to one or more candidates. The closing date for applications is 1 September 2009.

RCP website

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Joseph Hoet Research Award 2009

The Diabetes Pregnancy Study Group (DPSG, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) has announced the sixth Joseph Hoet Research Award (JHRA) to be presented at their annual meeting in Rome, Italy, 25-28 September 2009. The JHRA award is awarded for excellence in research in the field of diabetes and pregnancy (basic or clinical) and contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field. The award consists of a commemorative plaque, a diploma certificate and Euro 5,000, sponsored by Novo Nordisk Pharma. The award is open to candidates not less than 50 years of age on 1 January 2009. The recipient of the prize will be expected to deliver the Joseph Hoet Lecture during the annual DPSG meeting. For further information about the awards, please contact Dr Per Ovesen at the Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark by email at Per.Ovesen@dadlnet.dk. The closing date for applications is 25 September 2009.

European Science Foundation Research Networking Programmes

These long-term research networking programmes are the platform for nationally funded research groups to address major scientific and research infrastructure issues with the goal to advance the frontiers of science. A successful programme proposal must deal with high quality science and demonstrate the added value of being carried out at the European level. European Science Foundation (ESF) Programmes are funded à la carte by ESF Member Organisations interested in supporting proposals recommended by ESF.

Proposals are assessed through international peer review. On the basis of written assessments by external referees the ESF Standing Committees select proposals to be recommended for funding. The final decision on proposals to be presented to the ESF Member Organisations for funding will be made by the ESF Chief Executive together with the Standing Committee Chairs. The budget of an ESF Programme usually averages Euro 100,000 -130,000 annually, for a four or five-year period. Proposals will be accepted until 22nd October 2009. New Programmes start from 1 January 2011. Further information can be found on the website below.

ESF website

European Calcified Tissue Society Career Establishment Awards

Via rdfunding.org.uk. The European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) are offering Career Establishment Awards to assist newly-appointed faculty members in launching a successful research career. The award is intended to help meet some of the immediate costs of initiating research; to support and stimulate research on calcified tissues and related topics; to serve as a recruitment tool to assist in attracting young researchers to the ECTS. Applications for the 2010 award are now open with a deadline of 13 November 2009. For full eligibility criteria and details on how to apply for the award, please click on the link below.

Further details

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