digital extra

New APHL Guidance : Harmful Algal Blooms Harmful algal blooms can be a problem in every region of the country and public health labs are often called upon to respond with analytical capabilities . APHL ’ s new publication , A Freshwater Algal Toxin Guidance Document for Public Health Laboratories , provides guidance on test implementation and an overview of health concerns , federal and state guidelines , analytical methods , available resources and more .

Standard Methods Water Manual Updated The most widely respected and globally utilized water examination manual for over a century , Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater is now available in its 23rd edition . Published jointly by the American Public Health Association , the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation , Standard Methods reflects the latest developments in water analysis and emerging priorities in water safety .

CDC Toolkit : Develop a Legionnaires ’ Disease Response Plan CDC has created a toolkit to help state and local public health labs develop an effective response plan in case of an outbreak of Legionnaires ’ disease .

ASTHO Publishes Foodborne Disease Outbreak Response Report The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials ( ASTHO ) has published a new report assessing the legal and institutional framework for interagency information sharing during foodborne disease outbreaks .

New APHL Guidance : Rabies Diagnostics This document is intended to be a self-assessment tool for any public health laboratory performing rabies testing in the US .

Looking to talk about science with non-scientists ? Here are some of the resources that were mentioned in the Lab Matters feature article to help you tell your story :

• Explore the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University for webinars and online courses .

• The American Association for the Advancement of Science ( AAAS ) offers Public Engagement Resources

• “ Talking Science with Non-Scientists : A Personal Communication ,” by James Kling . The Scientist , March 29 , 1999 .

• “ Talk Nerdy to Me ,” a TED talk by Melissa Marshall . A faculty member with the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences at Penn State University , Melissa specializes in teaching speaking skills to engineering students and has also lectured at Harvard Medical School , the New York Academy of Sciences , Cornell University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ).

• Nancy Baron ’ s Escape from the Ivory Tower : A Guide to Making Your Science Matter ( Island Press , 2010 ).

• Don ’ t Be Such a Scientist : Talking Substance in an Age of Style , by Randy Olson ( Island Press , 2009 ).

• Visit APHL ’ s Member Resource Center to view tools gathered by the Knowledge Management Committee to help your lab participate in conversations surrounding legislative-level events .

David Mills PhD , retired director of the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory , discusses how laboratory twinning builds strong lab systems and relationships Read more

We are always looking for stories from our members to share in our magazine , blog and other channels . From LIMS to biomonitoring to whole genome sequencing , we want to hear from YOU ! Submit your ideas to gynene . sullivan @ aphl . org .