Website of the Week

PubMed Health

PubMed Health is a project of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the world's largest medical library. 

What is unique about PubMed Health is that it specializes in reviews of clinical effectiveness research, the type of research which finds answers to the question "What works?" in medical and health care. These clinical effectiveness reviews can show what treatments and prevention methods have been proven to be effective and what remains unknown.

PubMed Health provides summaries and full texts of selected systematic reviews, generally published or updated from 2003, in one place. In the "Diseases and Conditions A-Z" section of the database, there is a wealth of well-organized information for consumers and clinicians based on these reviews; causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatment, prognosis, complications, etc.

PubMed Health: www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pubmedhealth

Review by John Tibbals, SWC Librarian

Check It Out

Airbrushed nation : the lure and loathing of women's magazines

by Jennifer Nelson

Seal Press, 2012.

New Books: PN4879 .N47 2012

"Glamour. Cosmo. SELF. Ladies’ Home Journal. Vogue. In an industry that has been in a downward spiral for years, these magazines—and other women-focused magazines like them—have not only retained their readership, they’ve increased it. Every month, five million-plus women peel back the slick cover of their favorite magazine to thumb through pages filled with tidings and advice about fashion, beauty, sex, relationships, dieting, health, and lifestyle. But do women’s magazines offer valuable information, or do they merely peddle fluff and fantasy—and in either case, do women take their messages to heart?

 In Airbrushed Nation, Jennifer Nelson—a longtime industry insider—exposes the naked truth behind the glossy pages of women’s magazines, both good and bad. Nelson delves deep into the world of glossies, explaining the ways in which these magazines have been positive for women, highlighting the ways in which their agendas have been misguided, and asking the questions that have long gone unasked: What do women think and believe about the retouched photos, the ubiquitous sex advice, the constant offensive on aging, and the fantasy fashion spreads featuring unaffordable clothing and accessories? Do the unrealistic ads, images, and ideals that permeate glossies damage women’s self-esteem—and is it intentional? Critical, clever, and full of tantalizing insider information, Airbrushed Nation is a book for every woman who reads these magazines—those who hate them, those who love them, and those who live by them." review from publisher

This book is available for four-week check out with your SWC photo ID card.

Have a question?

We can help! 24/7 chat reference service is available to all SWC students.

Database of the Month

Consumer Health Complete

Library databases are accessible from off campus

Consumer Health Complete is a comprehensive resource for consumer-oriented health content. It includes full-text health reference books, evidence-based medicine, health reports, medical images, videos, consumer health pamphlets, and animations with audio narration.

Have a question? Ask a librarian!

We are open Saturdays!

The SWC Library at the Chula Vista campus is open 10 am - 2 pm on Saturdays. Stop by and get your work done so you can enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Need help when we're closed? Ask a Librarian - 24/7 chat.

Today is Eat an Extra Dessert Day

September 4 is Eat an Extra Dessert Day. Why not stop by the library -- you can pick up a book or two about baking and desserts.

Or, read about your favorite chefs in Biography Resource Center. This library database is available from off campus.

For more ideas, stop by the Internet Public Library for some great websites about desserts. Enjoy!

Website of the Week

The Economist - Topics Index 

http://www.economist.com/topics 

The Topics Index of The Economist magazine provides links to selected current and past full-text articles, as well as analysis and commentary on an array of subjects.

Registration (free) is required and provides access to up to six articles each week. Great for students doing research on any subject, and interesting for anyone looking for feature stories/analysis/commentary that don't make the daily news.

Below are some selected articles:

Syrian Civil War -
"Who are the Syrian opposition?"
Jul 19, 2013

 Excerpt/Summary: [Provides detailed info on specific groups]

• Rebel groups now number in the hundreds and possibly thousands, and occupy a spectrum from moderates fighting to topple the regime to extremists motivated by sectarian aims. 
• Sometimes rebel groups work together; at other times they clash. 
• The sectarian nature of the conflict is deepening as ever more foreign fighters flock to Syria to support the regime (whose core is Alawite, the esoteric Shia sect to which the Assad family belongs) or the opposition (which, like Syria's population, is majority Sunni). 

Eyesight and Eye Health

The Q&A: Dr Geoff Tabin and Dr Sanduk Ruit: Visionary
Aug 19th 2013

Excerpt/Summary: [Two doctors discuss their project to rid the world of preventable blindness]

• The world has around 40m blind people
• 90% of blind people live in the developing world.
• 85% of the blindness in the world could be corrected or could have been prevented.
• Half of all blindness is from treatable cataracts.

Review by Rachael Smithey, SWC Librarian