The UW–Madison Institute on Aging is kicking off the 27th Annual Eloquence & Eminence Emeritus Faculty Lecture Series this year with: 

“Topsy-Turvy History: Regulation and Individual Rights in Public Health”

by Judith W. Leavitt, Ph.D. (Departments of History of Medicine, History of Science, History, and Gender and Women’s Studies).

The lecture will be given on March 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Pyle Center (702 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706) with refreshments to follow.

The award-winning Eloquence & Eminence lecture series was initiated in 1993 by Dr. Emily Auerbach. It features retired UW faculty known for their teaching and research excellence. The lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, visit https://aging.wisc.edu/eloquence-and-eminence-lectures.

Researchers in the Soundscape and Audiology Research Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are doing a study to improve the sound quality of affordable, over-the-counter hearing aids. We are looking for people to participate in the study. Participants do not need to be current hearing aid users to participate.

The study involves one visit to the lab in Goodnight Hall (1975 Willow Drive). The visit takes about 1.5-2 hours. During the study, you will receive a hearing test and then be asked to listen to a hearing aid and select which settings you prefer. You will be paid $15/hour for participating.

• To participate, you should:
• Be between 55 and 85 years old
• Have a known hearing loss or simply feel that you have difficulty hearing.

If you are interested in participating, contact the lab by email (audlab@csd.wisc.edu) or by phone (608-890-0998). You can also complete our interest form by clicking on this link and someone from our lab will be in touch with you. Thank you for considering participating in research to improve hearing aids!

Please feel free to pass this along to family and friends who may be interested in participating.

Participation involves one 60-minute session completing a novel vocal exercise technique, and reimbursement of $20. Research for this study takes place in the Medical Sciences Center. All data collected is low risk and confidential. To qualify for this study, you must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Be able to say “aaah” for up to 10 seconds
• Have no voice disorders or lung disorders

If interested, please contact the Laryngeal Physiology Lab at jiang_voicelab@surgery.wisc.edu for more information.

A problem has been identified with the link to the February Sifter that appeared in the transmittal cover sent on 1/28/24.  To ensure linking to the February issue, be sure to place your cursor over 'FEBRUARY'.   Please note that if you place your cursor over "2024 Sifter", you will link to the January Sifter.

Principal Investigator: Adam R. Konopka, Ph. D.

Aging is a risk factor for nearly all chronic diseases. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect that metformin, an anti-diabetic medication, has on the aging process in those who are insulin sensitive versus those who are insulin resistant. We are now recruiting people aged 40-75 years old who may be insulin resistant or at risk for type 2 diabetes to participate in the ANTHEM Aging Study.

You may qualify if you have one of the following:

• Are insulin resistant
• Have high blood sugar (100-125 mg/dL) or HbA1c (5.7-6.4%)
• Your doctor has told you that you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes

If you do not know if you meet these criteria, we can evaluate for free. You may have increased risk of insulin resistance or high blood sugar if you have a BMI >30 kg/m2 or if you are not physically active.

Volunteers will undergo a health screening prior to enrollment. Those with known heart disease, diabetes, bleeding disorders, or other major illnesses do not qualify for the study.

Once admitted, visits may range from 10 minutes to five hours and will include blood and muscle samples, a body composition scan and an insulin sensitivity test. Participants will be compensated for their time, and metformin or placebo will be provided at no cost.

For more information contact our team at: aging.metformin.study@medicine.wisc.edu

Research Study: Clinical Evaluation of mTORC1 Inhibition for Geroprotection Everolimus Aging Study (EVERLAST),  Principal Investigator: Adam R. Konopka, Ph. D.

As people age, their risk for developing chronic diseases and conditions increases. The goal of this study is to determine if taking the drug everolimus can help improve or maintain health as we age. We are recruiting insulin resistant or pre-diabetic adults to participate in the EVERLAST study.

You may qualify to participate if you meet the following criteria:

• Are between the ages of 55-80 years old
• Insulin Resistant: HOMA-IR  ≥ 1.5
• Higher than normal blood sugar (100-125 mg/dL) or HbA1c (5.7-6.4%) but are otherwise healthy
• Are not taking medications to lower glucose or that prolong bleeding

Volunteers will complete a medical screening visit (for free). Those with known heart/liver/kidney disease, diabetes, bleeding disorders, cancer or other major illnesses do not qualify for the study.

Once enrolled in the study, participants will:  

• Take the drug everolimus or placebo once daily and once weekly for 24 weeks
• Be monitored regularly before, during, and after the study
• Receive several health and research tests, including exercise testing, blood and muscle sampling, heart and brain imaging, glucose testing and a body composition scan
• Receive compensation up to $2000 for your time

All study activities have received authorization by the FDA and IRB as required for research with investigational drugs.

Unsure if you fit these criteria? Interested in participating or learning more? Contact the study team at everlast@medicine.wisc.edu! We can help identify if you may be eligible and answer any questions.

Funding for the research is provided by National Institute on Aging (U01AG076941) to principal investigator Adam R. Konopka, PhD in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics.

All programs will be held in Varsity Hall at Union South. Each luncheon begins at 11:45am and ends by 1:00pm. The cost for each lunch is $15.

Here is this semester's program:

Tuesday, October 17

How the Arts Can Save Education: Transforming Teaching, Learning, and Instruction with Erica Halverson

Education is in a time of profound change; the arts offer us a way to reimagine what good learning and teaching are and how to design learning environments for all kids. In this talk, Dr. Erica Halverson, Professor of Curriculum & Instruction, describes how the arts can save education by providing new models for learning that embrace the assets that kids bring to the classroom. She uses her own arts organization, Whoopensocker, as a model for how to reframe learning as acts of metacognitive representation, identity development, and collaboration—and lots and lots of joy.

Registration Deadline: October 2

Registration Link: https://go.wisc.edu/55eclb

Tuesday, November 7

UW MIA Recovery and Identification Project with Charles Konsitzke

The UW MIA Recovery and Identification Project, developed within the UW Biotechnology Center, is a mission to investigate, innovate, and recover our missing State of Wisconsin service members from conflicts spanning from WWII and on. Charles Konsitzke, Team Lead, will discuss how the Project is advancing biological tools that are enhancing and revolutionizing the process for recovering and identifying our missing service members as well as the missing in general.

Registration Deadline: October 23

Registration Link: https://go.wisc.edu/lk9oh5

Wednesday, December 20

Teaching Faculty in the School of Pharmacy, with Dr. Laurel Legenza,

More information will be sent soon!

Registration Deadline: December 5

Registration Link: https://go.wisc.edu/x7mbxm

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Further information can be found at https://acstaff.wisc.edu/programs/university-roundtable/. 

We’re kicking off a yearlong celebration of UW–Madison’s 175th anniversary with an evening of music, memories, and a few surprises—including fireworks over Lake Mendota! (Because when it’s your 175th, you can light more than just candles!)

Please visit 175.wisc.edu/launch-celebration for full details. This event is free to attend, no registration needed.

Mark your calendar now!

Craig Atwood, PhD, is conducting a research study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Medicine to see if the drug Eligard (leuprolide acetate) may be effective against Alzheimer’s disease in women.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer’s Disease? This study is open to women over the age of 65 diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease who are taking a stable dose of a cholinesterase inhibitor medication such as donepezil (Aricept). Participants must also have a study partner (friend or family member) who can accompany them to all study visits.

Study Activities: Our study team will ask you to complete eight study visits spread out over one year.

• There will be an injection of the study drug (Leuprolide or placebo) four times over the one-year study
• Study visits will include tests of thinking abilities, blood tests, two MRI scans, and one PET scan
• Some parts of some visits may be done remotely via phone, computer, or other electronic means

compensation: For participating in our study, participants will be paid $50 for each completed study visit and you may be eligible to be reimbursed for travel costs depending on the distance traveled.

Interested?    You can fill out the interest form here: Study Interest Form

You can also call, text, email, or visit our website for more information:

608-263-2704 | mchilsen@clinicaltrials.wisc.edu | LUCINDA

A study team from the UW Department of Emergency Medicine is looking for healthy adults, age 60+ to participate in a research study about blood troponin levels in healthy adults. We are specifically seeking adults who do not have a history of stroke, heart attack, TIA, cancer, lung disease, autoimmune disease, or are a current user of tobacco products.  You are not eligible for this study if you take medicine to lower your cholesterol or are being treated for a heart condition. 

This study includes a single 20 minute visit where the following activities will occur: (1) measurement of vital signs (weight, height, blood pressure, pulse ox), (2) collection of a blood sample, and (3) use of a watch-like device for 3 minutes.

Adults who complete the study activities will receive a $40 gift card.

If you are interested in participating, please send an email to edrc@medicine.wisc.edu.

Email is generally not a secure way to communicate sensitive or health related information as there are many ways for unauthorized users to access email. You should avoid sending sensitive, detailed personal information by email. Email should also not be used to convey information of an urgent nature. If you need to talk to someone immediately or would prefer not to receive study communication by email, email the study team at edrc@medicine.wisc.edu.