May 5, 2017 Vol. LXIX, No. 9 proposition among alternatives that arises through a process of deliberation,” Shadlen said at a recent NIH Neuroscience Seminar, A LOOK UNDER THE HEAD “and I think the neuromechanisms of deci- sion-making offer a window on higher brain What Can Brain Mechanics function and cognition.” Tell Us About Decision- Calling himself a “kind of a grandchild of Making? the [NEI] Lab of Sensorimotor Research,” BY CARLA GARNETT which sponsored his lecture, Shadlen described two studies, one on reasoning Researchers are closer than ever to from symbols and the other that connects understanding how you make up your memory to decision-making. mind. What’s more, they may be able to Columbia’s Dr. Michael Shadlen speaks at NIH. NIH’ers, he pointed out, provided crucial quantify your thought process and perhaps building blocks for the studies and for a large even why you make the decisions you do. If investigator in the department of neu- share of research in the field. Former LSR that prospect freaks you out, don’t worry. roscience at Columbia University, and scientists Dr. Mickey Goldberg and Dr. Carol The research tells us about how the brain his colleagues have been studying deci- Colby conducted work to characterize the achieves these feats, not what any individ- sion-making from the inside out—examining parietal cortex—the region of the brain that ual’s brain is doing as you muse about this mechanisms of the brain known to be Shadlen studies. or that. involved in choice. Now his group is pushing Shadlen himself worked as a postdoc For much of the past two decades, Dr. the boundaries of that research. with Stanford’s Dr. Bill Newsome (of BRAIN Michael Shadlen, professor and HHMI “A decision is a commitment to a SEE SHADLEN, PAGE 8 PREVENTION POSSIBLE, HOWEVER Liver Cancer on Rise, Aflatoxin Contributes, Says Groopman BY RICH MCMANUS There are few other chemical carcinogens as closely tied to causing cancer as aflatoxin, a product of mold, usually in corn, that is Not Van Gogh’s Starry Night, but close. See p. 12. ubiquitous on planet Earth. First discov- ALSO THIS ISSUE ered in the United Dr. Michael DeBakey (r) once treated Jerry Lewis. Briefs ....................................2 Kingdom in 1960, aflatoxin was soon Aiken Presents Nursing’s Impact on Patient THE TEXAS TORNADO Outcomes ................................3 thereafter linked to NLM Commemorates Heart disease when it was IMAG Consortium Marks 10 Years ............5 Surgeon DeBakey implicated in the Feedback .................................7 BY DANA TALESNIK deaths of turkeys Digest ....................................9 who had consumed Anyone who has ever had heart surgery owes Dr. John Groopman moldy peanut meal. Milestones ...............................10 a debt of gratitude to the late Dr. Michael Identified as a cause Volunteers ................................11 DeBakey. Today, coronary bypass is consid- of liver cancer from both experimental Seen ....................................12 ered a routine operation but heart disease studies and epidemiology, aflatoxin remains SEE DEBAKEY, PAGE 6 SEE GROOPMAN, PAGE 4 BRIEFS “The Mathematics For more information, contact Aaron Bell (bella@ of Biomedical Data mail.nih.gov). Science.” Two other commemorative events are planned. The For all events, sign 2017 KT Jeang Memorial Lecture will feature Dr. language interpreters Xiang-Jin Meng speaking on “The ever-expanding can be provided. host range and cross-species infection of Hepatitis Individuals who E virus,” on Tuesday, May 9, 3-4 p.m. in Masur need reasonable Auditorium, Bldg. 10. The lecture is co-sponsored accommodation to by the NIH Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion participate should and the Office of Intramural Research. For more contact Jacqueline information contact Dr. Roland Owens (owensrol@ Roberts, Jacqueline. mail.nih.gov). A reception follows the lecture. [email protected], Lastly, HHS and the Federal Asian Pacific American (301) 594-6747, or the MIT’s Dr. Bonnie Federal Relay, (800) Council are presenting a full-day leadership training Dr. Vernon Anderson, president of the NIH Berger program on Monday, May 15, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bicycle Commuter Club, shows off the BTWD 877-8339. Kirschstein Auditorium, Bldg. 45. For more informa- T-shirt at last year’s event in front of Bldg. 1. For more information about the day’s events, visit tion, contact Dr. Eric Zhou ([email protected]). PHOTO: BILL BRANSON http://nihpiday.nih.gov/. The latter two events can be accessed via http:// videocast.nih.gov. Bike to Work Day, May 19 ‘Safety by Design’ Symposium Set, The annual Bike to Work Day will be held Friday, May 22-24 May 19. Once again, the pit stop in front of Bldg. 1 will be the focus of NIH’s observation of BTWD. The Office of Research Services’ Division of It opens at 7 and goes until 9 a.m. Participants Occupational Health and Safety will hold its third who arrive by bike and who have pre-registered symposium in a series promoting a culture of at www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/ by May 12 will safe and responsible science in the conduct of receive a free 2017 BTWD T-shirt. Registrants biomedical research. “Safety by Design – Microbial should identify the National Institutes of Health Inactivation – Lessons Learned and a Path (spelled out) as their employer and may select the Forward” is scheduled for May 22-24 in Natcher pit stop closest to their worksite. Conference Center. The NIH Bicycle Commuter Club, along with the Presenters include researchers and other experts NIH R&W and the ORS Division of Amenities and in inactivation who will discuss the science behind Transportation Services, coordinates the activities microbial inactivation, review past missteps, NIH director Dr. Francis Collins shows his support of Public Service Recognition Week. in front of Bldg. 1. In addition to T-shirt distribution, identify challenges affecting inactivation such as a light breakfast is provided, campus bicycle gaps in scientific knowledge and limited guidance registration is offered by the NIH Police and a and examine strategies for moving forward. The event offers formal presentations and opportu- NIH Marks Public Service Recognition local mechanic provides minor adjustments and Week, May 7-13 assessments of recommended maintenance. nities to network, exchange ideas, work in small groups and learn. The August 2016 GAO Report to Public Service Recognition Week honors federal, Information will be available from the NIH BCC Congressional Committees Improved Oversight of state and local government employees. Events in about cycling facilities and from the Washington Dangerous Pathogens Needed to Mitigate Risk will honor of your contributions as a federal employee Area Bicycle Association on bicycling in the D.C. frame the symposium program. are being held May 7-13. Here is how NIH employ- area and other cycling organizations. Attendees should register by Wednesday, May 10, ees can participate: Around 8 a.m., the Carl Henn Award for promoting at www.safetybydesignsymposium.eventbrite.com. • Take a photo of yourself with the completed “I bicycle commuting and safety will be presented. ‘Heart’ Public Service” template (https://hr.od.nih. Henn was a longtime NIH employee and Rockville Outdoor Event Returns gov/about/iheartpublicservice.pdf). Be sure to take resident who was an early advocate for bicycle high-resolution photos. commuting. Asian American Heritage Month • Spread the word the week of May 7-13—Upload Pictures of the event from past years can be found Activities at NIH your photo to Facebook and/or Twitter using these at www.nihbike.com/. hashtags: #NIH #PSRW #Proud2ServeUSA. The The annual outdoor event to celebrate Asian #NIH hashtag allows NIH to find our employees. American Heritage is returning to the Bldg. 31 Pi Day Reset to May 18 patio after a 2-year break. It will take place on • Send your photo to [email protected]. NIH will hold its third annual Pi Day Celebration on Wednesday, May 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Images will be posted on NIH social media outlets. Pi Day 2.0, Thursday, May 18. As you may recall, the and will feature Korean dance, Chinese music and • Add the Public Service Recognition Week logo to original Pi Day festivities, on 3.14, were postponed a Tai Chi demonstration. The Bldg. 31 cafeteria will your email signature. due to inclement weather. The goal of the event provide Asian cuisine for purchase. is to increase awareness across the biomedical • Attend one of the events being held in your honor science community of the role that the quantitative The program will open with a colorful lion dance, at http://publicservicerecognitionweek.org/events. sciences play in biomedical science. accompanied by drums and gongs. NIH groups and community organizations will also be on hand If you have questions or would like more informa- NIH Pi Day will feature tours, talks, posters and a to share health-related and other information. The tion, email ShaRhaina Brown, sharhaina.brown@ keynote address by MIT’s Dr. Bonnie Berger at 1 event is sponsored by the NIH Asian and Pacific nih.gov. p.m. in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10. She will discuss Islander American Organization. 2 • NIH RECORD • MAY 5, 2017 focused on the development and evaluation Aiken Presents of self-management programs in English and Nursing’s Impact on Spanish for people with chronic diseases. This work has been supported by NINR as Patient Outcomes well as other NIH institutes, government agencies and foundations. Her programs are Dr. Linda Aiken recently presented delivered in small groups, via mail and the the first NINR Director’s Lecture Internet. The interventions are used in more of 2017. In her talk, “Nursing’s than 30 countries and have been attended by Impact on Patient Outcomes,” Aiken more than one million people.