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Newsbriefs
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Fund-raiser planned to benefit Oncology Center

Novelist Tom Clancy, actor Tom Selleck and Baltimore Orioles
owner Peter Angelos will be the guests of honor at a benefit
dinner dance and auction on Friday, Nov. 18, from 7 to 11 p.m. at
Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Proceeds will benefit pediatric
cancer research at the Hopkins Oncology Center.
     The working manuscript of Clancy's latest novel, Debt of
Honor, the chance to be an Orioles batboy for a day and
autographed Orioles memorabilia are among the items to be
auctioned. A limited number of tickets to a cocktail reception
hosted by Clancy, Selleck and Angelos prior to the event are
available. Tickets are $150 per person for the cocktail
reception, dinner dance and auction; $100 for the dinner dance
and auction. Ticket prices include dinner, open bar,
entertainment by the band Night Life and a tax-deductible
contribution to the pediatric cancer program.
     This is the second year for the event, which is hosted by
Pediatric Oncology Friends, a volunteer organization. Last year's
dinner, which sold out, raised more than $35,000. For ticket
information call the Oncology Department development office at
955-2583.



Elderly people less likely to admit to depression

People aged 65 and older are less likely to acknowledge feelings
of depression than younger adults.
     A study by the School of Hygiene and Public Health suggests
caregivers may want to examine their treatment plans knowing
older patients are not likely to admit to dysphoria, a state of
feeling unwell or unhappy.
     The study, published in this month's issue of the Journal of
Gerontology, points to a bias against older adults that may
account in part for the low rate of major depression reported.
     The study examined results from the Epidemiologic Catchment
Area Program, a series of epidemiologic surveys conducted between
1980 and 1984. The surveys included 3,141 study subjects in
Baltimore and 3,469 in the Durham-Piedmont region of North
Carolina.
     Results of the study reflected differences due to overall
level of depressive symptoms, gender, minority status, education,
marital status, employment and cognitive impairment.



Memorial service for pioneering researcher to be held Monday

The School of Medicine will sponsor a memorial service to
celebrate the life of Mary Betty Stevens on Monday, Nov. 14, at 4
p.m. The service will be held in Hurd Hall at the hospital; a
reception will follow in the Houck Building.
     Dr. Stevens, a rheumatologist and professor of medicine, was
also the director of the Department of Rheumatology at Good
Samaritan Hospital. Her research and treatment brought relief to
sufferers of lupus, arthritis and other connective tissues
diseases.
     Dr. Stevens was a 1955 medical school graduate. In 1960 she
was appointed an instructor, and in 1975 she became the first
female to head a division at Hopkins Hospital when she was named
chair of rheumatology. She died Sept. 13 from complications after
a stroke. She was 65.
     Memorial contributions may be sent to the Mary Betty Stevens
Endowment Fund, attention Debby Lawrence, suite 507, Morgan
Building, 5601 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 21230.



Diet, blood pressure affect kidney disease

Two studies presented by Hopkins researchers at the American
Society of Nephrology meeting in Orlando last month shed
unexpected light on the problems of  end-stage kidney disease,
which this year will cause 200,000 Americans to undergo treatment
on dialysis machines.
     In one study, by scientists from Hopkins, the University of
Minnesota and Northwestern University, even small increases in
blood pressure were shown to nearly double the risk of kidney
failure within 15 years. It is the first time that effect has
been demonstrated.
     Another study found dramatically lower rates of mortality
for kidney dialysis patients who prepared for their treatment by
taking very low-protein diets. Researchers still cannot explain
the effect, but they hope to expand the population under study to
determine whether diet modification could offer more hopeful
prospects for those who must undergo dialysis.



Foundation continues support of Strategic Studies Program

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation continued its support of
the Strategic Studies Program of the Nitze School of Advanced
International Studies with a two-year $350,000 grant. The renewed
grant will be used for student tuition, research support,
seminars, colloquia, staff rides and field trips.



Population experts converge on Hopkins

A conference titled "The Electronic or Virtual Library: Who's in
Charge?" was held last month at the School of Public Health's
Population Center. Fifty-one demographic and population research
center directors, librarians and computer experts attended the
conference, which was sponsored by the Association of Population
Centers.
     Speakers included Welch Medical Library director David
Kingsbury, Eisenhower Library systems administrator Pamela
Higgins, attorney Chris Meyer from the U.S. Patents and
Trademarks Office, and leaders of Project MUSE.