Research

Shades: A 300 percent increase in rare eye cancer among white men points up the need for sunglasses, researchers in New York say.

Scientists at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary showed that the incidence of conjunctival melanoma soared from 1973 and 1999 among white men. No such increase was found for white women, researchers said.

Conjunctival melanoma - cancer of the area of the eye between the cornea and the eyelid - is extremely rare, but the new findings "add another reason for people to wear sunglasses to protect themselves from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays," said Dr. Paul T. Finger, senior author of the study.

The study, published in the June issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, is based on data from the National Cancer Institute.

Hot news

Education: The Barrett Cancer Center and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center will hold their third annual Lung Cancer Symposium Saturday.

The symposium starts at 7 a.m. at the Kingsgate Conference Center on the College of Medicine campus.

Topics include advances in diagnosis, surgery, radiation and targeted therapy, research updates, malignant mesothelioma and small cell lung cancer.

Cost: $35. Registration: Nancy Crossen, 584-3830 or Crossen@uc.edu.

Help wanted

Talk back: The University of Cincinnati's Department of Neurosurgery needs feedback on planned research aimed at finding out whether maintaining moderately low body temperature (hypothermia) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury will improve their physical and mental outcomes.

Researchers need public comment before the study starts because patients won't be able to give consent to participate and family might not be available.

For information and comment, visit Web site.

Tips

Safety: The June issue of Parents offers sun-smart tips for protecting little ones:

• Try to stay in the shade from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when rays are at their strongest. And remember the rule: If your shadow is shorter than you are, head for shade.

• Eyes need protection, too. If sunglasses won't work, use a hat.

• Few cotton T-shirts offer enough protection. Look for densely woven fabrics to minimize sun exposure.

• Infants under 6 months should never be left unprotected in full sunlight. Use protective clothing, sunblock, hats and stroller screens.

Shelf help

Ache: Migraines for Dummies (Wiley; $19.99) covers everything from identifying triggers to how not to treat the troublesome headaches.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330, or e-mail, pofarrell@enquirer.com