DMU has a new student organization that’s also a feather in the University’s cap: The Genetics Student Interest Group of Des Moines University recently made DMU one of only seven medical schools in the U.S., and the first and only osteopathic medical school, to earn affiliation with the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG).

Alisdair “Rod” Philp, Ph.D., a DMU assistant professor of biochemistry and nutrition, was inspired to help students create the group because of student anxiety over genetics questions on medical licensing examinations. He is an elected affiliated scientist of the ACMG, which enabled the student interest group’s affiliation. Philp says the rapid advancement in genetic knowledge and research, along with DMU students’ interest in both, affirmed the idea for such an organization.

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Faculty and students at Des Moines University work together in first-rate facilities on diverse research studies regarding health and wellness, and you could be a part of it.

Are you an undergrad student (or know of one) interested in research or a future career in health or medicine? Then check out the mentored research program. This opportunity gives students one-on-one experience with our research faculty in microbiology, pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry and physical therapy. It’s a 40-hour a week project during the months of June/July with a stipend and tons of hands-on experience.

Space is limited, so get your application in soon!

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That many popular children’s breakfast cereals are high in sugar is not new news. What’s alarming is that over the years food manufacturers have done little to change that and may in fact be packing even more of the sweet stuff into those kid-alluring, colorful boxes.

A study released last week by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that among 84 cereals, at least three that are marketed to children contain more sugar in a one-cup serving than a Hostess Twinkie. An additional 44, the study revealed, serve up more sugar in a cup than three Chips Ahoy! cookies. The three worst offenders: Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, Post Golden Crisp and General Mills Wheaties Fuel. Even more cavity-inducing is my guess that few kids limit themselves to just one cup of cereal per serving.

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Most people agree that exercise is good for one’s body. A recent study in Ireland offers evidence that it’s also good for our brains, and not just because we feel proud of ourselves for having gotten off the couch.

In the study, reported in The New York Times, scientists had a group of sedentary male college students watch a fast lineup of photos with the faces and names of strangers. They were then asked to recall the names as they again viewed the photos.

Moving these may pump up your brainpower.

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Mark your calendars for this year’s DMU Research Symposium taking place on campus this Thursday, December 1. No classes will be scheduled for the afternoon so all students can attend or participate.

The annual DMU Research Symposium aims to recognize the research efforts of those in the surrounding community; to provide a forum for the collaboration of ideas and the production of new hypotheses; and to impress upon the students of DMU the critical role that research plays in the advancement of health care.

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