News in Brief

Under the stars "A Walk Through the Park" Luncheon/auction set
Health promotion Stone Valley activities Nausea study seeks volunteers
Children needed for study

Under the stars

The Penn State Astronomy Club will hold an Astronomy Open House from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, on the roof of Davey Lab. (In the event of cloudy skies, observations will be attempted on Saturday evening.)

Featured objects for the evening will include the full moon and the planets Jupiter and Saturn. Other celestial objects may also be shown, depending on sky conditions.

A planetarium show will be held in 541 Davey Lab. The open house is free, and everyone is welcome to join the club for a relaxing evening under the stars.


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"A Walk Through the Park"

As part of the campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer during the month of October, Circle K is sponsoring "A Walk Through the Park" on Saturday, Oct. 26. Registration for the event begins at 12:30 p.m. in Spring Creek Park, Pavilion 1. The walk, which is a three-mile trek, begins at 1 p.m. Registration is $10 for non-students and $5 for students. Anyone under the age of 16 may walk for free. Proceeds from the event benefit the Centre County Breast Cancer Coalition. For more information about the event, call the American Cancer Society at 238-8908.


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Luncheon/auction set

A luncheon/auction to benefit Centre County United Way will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Paul Robeson Center. The event, sponsored by Student Affairs, will feature specialties of the house from members of the Student Affairs and Penn State Catering staffs.

Items to be auctioned, including a 1984 Buick Skylark, are on display on the first floor of the Hetzel Union Building through Oct. 31. Other items include: Greatest Moments in Football History, signed by John Cappeletti and Joe Paterno; brunch for two at the Nittany Lion Inn; brunch for two at The Penn State Scanticon; Penn State football and basketball memorabilia; dinner for two at Spats Cafe; a catered dinner party for six in your home; a housecleaning certificate; and more.

Silent bids may be made at the HUB desk. Final bidding will take place at 12:30 p.m. during the Oct. 31 luncheon in the Paul Robeson Center. You must be present to win. Cash and checks will be accepted.

Tickets for this event are available from your United Way representative for $5.


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Health promotion

Relax and Enjoy Series

During this four-week series, learn to manage everyday stress through the use of meditation, relaxation therapy and gentle stretching. Meets Tuesdays, Nov. 5 through 26, from 12-1 p.m. in 110 Henderson Building (The Living Center). Cost is $10, reimbursable to HMO participants. To register, contact Jan Hawbaker at 865-3085 or jqh3@psu.edu.


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Stone Valley activities

Enjoy a hayride through the scenic woodlands of the Stone Valley Recreation Area. This program, which runs from April through November, offers a variety of facility, food and activity options to meet group needs. For arrangements, contact the park office at 863-0762.


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Nausea study seeks volunteers

If you experienced nausea/vomiting during or after chemotherapy in the past and must have additional chemotherapy treatment, you might be interested in volunteering for a study by the Department of Psychology/Psychobiology.

Researchers have discovered that it is possible to reduce the symptoms of car sickness (motion sickness). Since there are some similar mechanisms that cause the nausea of motion sickness and chemotherapy, researchers would like to investigate if the procedure might help people with other kinds of nausea.

Participating in this study will not interfere with your medical treatment in any way. This study has been approved by Penn State's Use of Human Subjects Committee and will be directed by Robert M. Stern in the Department of Psychology.

If you would like more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Stern at one of the following numbers: 865-1712; or evenings and weekends: 238-7063.


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Children needed for study

Pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, lack of appetite, loose stools and constipation in children; these complaints are often reasons for referral to pediatricians. Nearly 10 percent of schoolchildren suffer from recurrent abdominal pain. Literature reports a peak of incidence at five years in both sexes and a further peak at puberty in girls.

To obtain additional information about it, the Department of Psychology is looking for children (ages 3-9) with and without gastrointestinal problems or a specific diagnosis to participate in a study. The study does not hurt and there is no risk to the health of the child. He or she will receive a toy for taking part.

The research is being conducted under the supervision of Robert M. Stern, professor of psychology, and has been approved by the Penn State Use of Human Subjects Committee.

Parental permission for participation is required. For further details, please contact Claudia G. Lederer, Department of Psychology, 535 Moore Building at 865-1725 or 238-4659.



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This page was created by Annemarie Mountz.
Last updated at 1:36PM on October 22, 1996.