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A new way of looking at malnutrition assessment

College researcher leads team to reframe and add to tools used by clinicians

Mark Earnest

David St-Jules, center, works with students on techniques to measure a person’s nutritional status as part of his work as an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Photo by Robert Moore.

There are many tools used to assess malnutrition in kidney disease patients, but making the right diagnosis takes careful interpretation and consideration of all factors. To help the medical community more effectively treat malnutrition in kidney disease patients and others, College Assistant Professor David St-Jules led a team of international researchers in building a new assessment plan.

The plan, laid out in the Journal of Renal Nutrition:

• Complements existing tools
• Broadens the scope of factors considered
• Provides more clarity on how three factors interact to determine patients’ individual needs

The three interacting factors are:

• Nutrient balance: Is the patient getting enough nutrition?
• Nutrition status: Does the patient have enough energy and protein stores? Do they have any nutrient deficiencies?
• Malnutrition risk: What medical and social issues are causing malnutrition risk in this patient?

St-Jules has started to use the article’s findings for nutrition science graduate student coursework and for training nutrition science interns. The findings will also be used in the master's program for dietitians. St-Jules has also heard about some clinical treatment groups discussing the theories behind the journal article.

“For me, right off the bat, that is a success – that someone would apply some of this thinking in their practice,” St-Jules said.

Lessons focused on wildfire make science relevant to high school students

Extension develops curricula and training programs in wildfire and natural resources management for Nevada high school students

Claudene Wharton

Students from Sparks High School study vegetation on a hillside that burned in 2017 and 2021 as part of a Living With Fire curriculum lesson. Photo by Megan Kay.

As wildfires continue to challenge Nevada and the West, educators and firefighting agencies are teaming up to make sure teens gain an understanding of the complex issues surrounding wildfire and natural resource management, and develop a workforce ready to tackle these issues. Along the way, students gain an increased appreciation for classroom science concepts they are required to learn.

Extension has developed a Living With Fire Wildfire Science Curriculum for high school science classes, with biology and earth science units already available online and more units in the works. Thirty-five teachers have been trained to teach the material and have taught lessons to more than 1,200 students.

“The kids could relate to the curriculum and why it’s important to learn about these things,” Carson City High School teacher Julie Koop said. “It was rigorous, but that’s what learning needs to be. Having the firefighters there and people from Extension, and the career readiness component, that was also really beneficial for the students.”

Extension faculty are ready to help more teachers incorporate the curriculum into their science courses this fall. And, they’ve embarked on a program that will allow sophomores at the Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology (AACT) in Reno to become firefighters upon graduation, as well as earn college credits.

University hire aims to boost pipeline for agriculture and environmental science teachers

Charmayne Mitchell brings experience, education and enthusiasm to her new role with the College

Charmayne Mitchell is the new master teacher for the College, helping guide students through the dual-degree NevadaTeach Program. Photo by Dallas Taliaferro.

Teachers are in short supply in our state, especially ones to fill vacancies in the sciences. The College has hired Charmayne Mitchell as the NevadaTeach master teacher for agricultural and environmental sciences. Mitchell will help recruit and guide students through this dual major program that allows students to earn degrees in education and environmental science or agriculture, without adding extra time or money to the students’ college education.

Mitchell has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis in agricultural science and a minor in health education, as well as experience teaching in both secondary and collegiate settings. She said the NevadaTeach Program can be a game-changer for students who have an interest in teaching.

“With NevadaTeach, they can start teaching lessons in their first semester here, and then decide if that is actually the best career choice for them,” Mitchell said.

Homeowners looking for ideas on beautiful, water-smart home landscapes can find new inspiration at Extension’s Botanic Gardens. Extension recently added three charming miniature houses to the gardens to showcase how to create attractive landscapes that require only minimal water use.

The new additions, collectively dubbed the Three Landscapes Demonstration, offer three different themes, including year-round color, edible landscapes and xeriscape. They are located in Extension’s Botanic Gardens at 8050 Paradise Road in Las Vegas. The gardens are open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Kickoff to Kindergarten fair returns to prepare young children for school

Extension hosts back-to-school family pre-k event with community partners

Brook Maloy

A parent and child are welcomed at the Kickoff to Kindergarten event.

It’s never too soon to start preparing children for kindergarten. That’s why Extension is hosting its annual Kickoff to Kindergarten fair to provide children ages 3 - 5 and their parents with knowledge and skills to help get the children ready for kindergarten. Extension is partnering with Las Vegas – Clark County Library District and Vegas PBS to provide this free event, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Aug. 26, at the East Las Vegas Library.

Tote bags, water bottle bags, books and school supplies will be given out to the first 250 families. In addition to providing valuable resources, the event also features:

• Vision and dental screenings
• Face painting and balloon artists
• Mariachi Perla Tapatia De Las Vegas
• Fruits and vegetables, chocolate milk, and popsicles
• Safety resources, fingerprinting kits and McGruff the Crime Dog
• Rosie from PBS’ Rosie’s Rules, Mojave Max and Daisy the Cow

Rafter 7 Ram and Ewe Sale returns to Eureka, Nevada

Popular sale features College-raised sheep internationally recognized for their fine wool quality

Mark Earnest

Merino sheep raised by the College in Eureka, Nevada, are part of the annual Rafter 7 Ram and Ewe Sale, Sept. 9, at the Eureka County Fairgrounds. Photo by Robert Moore.

Hundreds Merino sheep, internationally known for the quality of their wool and raised by the College, will be sold at the Rafter 7 Merino Ram and Ewe Sale, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m., at the Eureka County Fairgrounds. The annual event attracts farmers and ranchers from around the country.

Sale proceeds fund the College’s Great Basin Research & Extension Center in Eureka, where the sheep are raised as part of the College’s Experiment Station and Extension units. Center researchers address sustainable grazing management of rangelands, livestock production, water-limited crop production and alternative irrigation strategies.

The sale includes:

• 200 purebred Merino and Merino/Rambouillet rams
• 20 purebred Merino ewes
• A few Australian rams

The animals are part of the Center’s Rafter 7 project to raise sheep with an emphasis on quality wool production, lambing rates, hardiness, longevity and herding instinct. Their wool is also used to make Rafter 7 products for sale at the Nevada Wolf Shop on campus and at Jimmy Beans Wool.