Program Highlights For ASN's Scientific Sessions

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Mar 13, 2015, 02:38 ET

BETHESDA, Md., March 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) will host its Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology during March 28-April 1 in Boston. ASN has programmed more than 1,800 scientific abstracts and dozens of symposia, on topics ranging from skeletal health to the gut-brain connection. Symposia highlights include:

Research Reporting in the 21st Century: How it is Different and Why You Should Care
Monday, March 30, 10:30-12:30 pm
The pressure on academics to publish more papers, despite a difficult research funding environment, is increasing. Since 1974 there has been a 10-fold increase in the number of reported cases of scientific misconduct. Discussing acceptable research and publication behavior may help to stem a rising tide of scientific misconduct. Symposium speakers will address: ethics in research; transparency; conflict of interest; plagiarism; duplication of studies; over-interpretation of results by authors; role of the peer reviewer; potential legal consequences of scientific misconduct; and best practices to avoid scientific misconduct. Featuring: Dr. Jeffrey M. Drazen, Editor-in-Chief, New England Journal of Medicine.

Is "When" We Eat as Important as "What" We Eat? Chronobiological Aspects of Food Intake
Tuesday, March 31, 8:00-10:00 am
This symposium will highlight emerging research in the area of circadian timing and its interplay with food intake, metabolism and energy balance. Research in animals and humans has shown that metabolic responses to food are closely linked to circadian rhythms and disruptions to circadian patterns, such as shift work and jet lag, can have substantial impacts on energy metabolism and possibly contribute to obesity. Timing, frequency and composition of meals appear to also have an influence on circadian signals.

Being "Social": How Scientists Can Find their Way in a 24-Hour Digital World
Monday, March 30, 8:00-10:00 am
Scientists can no longer ignore the fact that this is a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week world that demands immediate access to science news. What should be the role of social media in the scientific establishment- whether academic, industry, or research? This session will address issues such as: the value of social media in health communications; ways scientists are currently using social media; their perceptions of a successful social media presence (and how this may differ depending on career path, research interests); and management expectations when scientists become social within the workplace. Attendees both experienced and new to social media will leave with an understanding of how to navigate the world of social media as a scientist.

One Nutrition: Clinical Nutrition across Species
Wednesday, April 1, 10:30-12:30 pm
Animals and humans frequently suffer from similar diseases and chronic conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, kidney failure, behavioral disorders, diabetes, and obesity. Conducting clinical trials in natural animal models provides an important stepping stone to translate basic science research into human clinical trials evaluating innovative nutritional approaches that can ultimately benefit both animals and humans. This session will review some of the most common naturally occurring diseases in animals, the similarities and differences between human and animal, and how veterinary nutritionists play a role both in managing patients and advancing knowledge in these diseases shared by multiple species.

Media Registration
Credentialed media, science writers and bloggers are invited to cover all or part of the conference with free registration. An onsite newsroom will be available for media. Detailed instructions for individuals who wish to request press passes are available on the EB website. The newsroom will be open Saturday, March 28, through Wednesday, April 1. Pre-registration for press passes is strongly encouraged and will be accepted through March 25. A press kit with highlights of scientific research will be available on an embargoed basis prior to the meeting. Not able to attend, but wish to cover a symposium? Email ASN to facilitate interviews with speakers prior to or following the event.

ASN is the authoritative voice on nutrition and publisher of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, The Journal of Nutrition, and Advances in Nutrition. Established in 1928, ASN's more than 5,100 members in more than 80 countries work in academia, practice, government, and industry. ASN advances excellence in nutrition research and practice through its publications, education, public affairs and membership programs. Visit us at www.nutrition.org.