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Background: The research objective was to examine if secular trends can be identified for cranial data commissioned by Boas in 1892, specifically for cranial breadth and cranial length of the Eastern and Western band Cherokee who experienced environmental hardships. Materials and methods: Multiple regression analysis was used to test the degree of relationship between each of the cranial measures: cranial length, cranial breadth and cephalic index, along with predictor variables (year-of-birth, location, sex, admixture); the model revealed a significant difference for all craniometric variables. Additional regression analysis was performed with smoothing Loess plots to observe cranial length and cranial breadth change over time (year-of-birth) separately for Eastern and Western Cherokee band females and males born between 1783-1874. Results: This revealed the Western and Eastern bands show a decrease in cranial length over time. Eastern band individuals maintain a relatively constant head breadth, while Western Band individuals show a sharp decline beginning around 1860. Conclusions: These findings support negative secular trend occurring for both Cherokee bands where the environment made a detrimental impact; this is especially marked with the Western Cherokee band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though radiocarbon dating has been common practice in archaeology, it has yet to be regularly and consistently applied in forensic anthropology. Rather, forensic anthropologists analyze human remains using methods established on the basis of skeletal biology, such as estimating ancestry using characteristics that vary between breeding populations and estimating time-since-death based on the degree and pattern of weathering on the bones. Time since death is an essential question because this is what will determine whether the remains have forensic or historical significance. However, these methods are dependent on many extrinsic factors that include preservation and available contextual information regarding how and where the individual was placed or buried, as well as any personal effects included within the burial. In addition, the postmortem interval based on weathering is inaccurate and very difficult if not impossible to assess with any accuracy. Therefore, traditional methods such as skeletal weathering are not recommended. Thus, we recommend adopting radiocarbon dating as standard forensic practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are multiple factors for the advent of war, and in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda nationalistic goals and political control were used to justify the genocide of thousands of individuals, mainly males of battle age, between sixteen to sixty years of age. War and genocide have detrimental effects on population health due to population displacement, food shortages, and the decline of health services. The skeletal remains of victims from Srebrenica, Bosnia, were analyzed for pathological conditions to assess general health and were compared with other countries that have experienced genocide to evaluate health issues in various parts of the world. Approximately 35% of the skeletal sample shows evidence of congenital and pathological conditions that may be population specific, which indicates that declining health was prevalent before the war, especially prenatal requirements for expectant mothers. In addition, data on general health from Rwandan and former Yugoslavian refugees showed a prevalence of acquired pathologies, mainly AIDS, while Bosnian and Herzegovinian refugees showed an increase in tuberculosis and heart diseases after the war. The skeletal and clinical research details the health problems that existed before and after the wars/genocide, and shed light on the current health problems that still need to be addressed. Marginalized and vulnerable groups, such as victims of genocide, need immediate action to prevent morbidity and mortality in the future. This study may be the first to outline the health status of victims of genocide and identify group marginalization as a path to genocide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pool of persons who go missing and subsequently become part of the unidentified population is predominately adult, male, underrepresented minorities, foreign-born individuals, and people from at-risk groups. In particular, a growing obstacle to the identification of unidentified decedents (UIDs) is the increase of foreign-born immigrants, including migrant workers and undocumented persons in the United States. Increasingly, individuals of foreign-born nationality are an important component in UID cases as there may not be access to information about who is missing, personal data about the decedent, nor family members available to aid the identification process. The demographic structures, mobility patterns, and contextual factors about unidentified cases are compared to those who have been identified. Data comes from both solved and open cases from forensic anthropology laboratories at the University of South Florida, the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory at the University of Florida, the Forensic Data Bank maintained at The University of Tennessee, and the Medical Examiner’s Offices of Georgia. Recommendations for policy are further discussed, such as the application of population-based research strategies that account for biological and cultural variation related to identification parameters; the development of a bilingual searchable databases with anonymous information submittal capabilities; and the incorporation of biological information about the decedent along with possible biological traits and personal or cultural artifacts, such as descriptions and photographs of personal effects, tattoos, and facial approximations, into searchable Web-based databases that facilitate the monumental task of identifying UID in a way that is appropriate given the population in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a classroom project used with preservice teachers in a middle-level teacher education program that incorporates inquiry teaching and literature-based instruction within the disciplines of science, language arts and social studies. National Middle School Association's advocacy for a relevant, challenging, integrative and exploratory curriculum; Use of the "Chameleons on Location," by Kathy Darling and Tara Darling as the core book for the project; Materials for the activity.

Abstract. Health science students, along with the health professionals they hope to become, are at increased risk for certain occupational injuries and illnesses. One of these risks is occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis, which may result in severe illnesses or even death. Two case studies demonstrate postexposure care of exposed individuals at the University of Texas Medical Branch Student Health Services before and after policy changes and prevention strategies were strengthened in response to exposure incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Performing some laboratory tests on site at a student health service clinic may increase efficiency and cut costs for patients. However, with the passage of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988, many laboratories in physician offices and clinics have shut down because of increased regulatory requirements. The personnel in one SHS laboratory found that the guidelines proposed by CLIA help assure quality care and are not prohibitive. In this article, the process of applying for and receiving a CLIA certificate in the student health clinic setting is explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]