New website explores the Inside Story of the Human Body

Ever wondered what happens to the brain when you kiss someone for the first time? Ever imagined what the inside of a bum looks like? Or questioned how a tumour is treated?

Discover the answers to these bodily questions at the Institute of Physics and Medical Research Council’s new multimedia website www.insidestory.iop.org

Launching on 16 November 2005 as part of Einstein Year www.insidestory.iop.org is an entertaining yet educational website aimed at 12-16 year olds which enables teenagers to explore the inside story of the human body and learn about the techniques used in cutting edge medical research.

Clever web techniques allow youngsters to take on the role of a medical specialist with state-of-the-art tools at their fingertips. Whether you’re nosing around in a large intestine or scanning the inner workings of a brain, www.insidestory.iop.org is the ultimate way to discover what it’s like to look inside the human body.

There are four exciting areas to explore: MRI Scans examining how the brain reacts to actions such as laughing or crying, PET scans studying body processes and how they change through time, for example blood pumping through the body, Radiotherapy targeting and destroying deadly cancerous tumours and Colonoscopy using a miniature camera to look inside a bottom.

Each section is presented in a visually stimulating way, making it fun and easy for visitors to navigate their way around the site. For example if the user clicks “when I kiss” in the MRI Scans screen, an animated man will purse his lips for a big kiss and the appropriate region of the brain will light up showing scientific facts.  Within Radiotherapy, kids can play a game where they learn how to treat a tumour by pretending to destroy it with beams.

Mr Jonathan Rees, surgical research fellow at the Medical Research Council, said: “www.insidestory.iop.org is an excellent educational website that teaches the value of physics in medicine. It really encourages teenagers to get to grips with the technologies used in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions which impact on human health.”

Rachel Heath, aged 15 years old, commented: “I think the website is great! It has some nice pictures and graphics, especially the brain scan ones – that’s definitely my favourite section!”

For more information, please contact:-

Maneera Stenhouse, Einstein Year public relations officer, the Institute of Physics on +44 20 74704813 or e-mail maneera.stenhouse@iop.org

or

Ruth Whitbread, press officer, Medical Research Council on 020 76376011 or e-mail ruth.whitbread@mrc.ac.uk

Notes to editors:

Einstein Year is a year-long celebration of physics and its relevance to all our lives. Marking the centenary of Einstein’s three ground-breaking ideas it communicates the vital role physics plays in developing new technologies like cancer screening equipment and mobile phones, whilst addressing big questions such as how the Universe was created and how climate change can be tackled.

Einstein Year is here - be inspired by physics in 2005. www.einsteinyear.org

The Institute of Physics is a leading international professional body and learned society with over 37,000 members, which promotes the advancement and dissemination of a knowledge of and education in the science of physics, pure and applied. It has a world-wide membership and is a major international player in:

·         scientific publishing and electronic dissemination of physics;

·         setting professional standards for physicists and awarding professional qualifications;

·         promoting physics through scientific conferences, education and science policy advice

The Institute is a member of the Science Council, and a nominated body of the Engineering Council. The Institute works in collaboration with national physical societies and plays an important role in transnational societies such as the European Physical Society and represents British and Irish physicists in international organizations. In Great Britain and Ireland the Institute is active in providing support for physicists in all professions and careers, encouraging physics research and its applications, providing support for physics in schools, colleges and universities, influencing government and informing public debate. www.iop.org

Medical Research Council (MRC) is a national organisation funded by the UK tax-payer. Its business is medical research aimed at improving human health; everyone stands to benefit from the outputs. The research it supports and the scientists it trains meet the needs of the health services, the pharmaceutical and other health-related industries and the academic world. MRC has funded work which has led to some of the most significant discoveries and achievements in medicine in the UK. About half of the MRC’s expenditure of approximately £500 million is invested in its 40 Institutes, Units and Centres. The remaining half goes in the form of grant support and training awards to individuals and teams in universities and medical schools. Web site at: www.mrc.ac.uk.

Released: 2005/11/16 10:07:30.125 GMT+0