The IAEA launched a new publication series — the IAEA Briefs — to inform decision makers on how they can best make use of its services to enhance capacity and support development. Launched last autumn, the Briefs cover a wide range of topics on the applications of nuclear science and technology and also provide recommendations for consideration to IAEA Member States.
Region specific issues are also addressed. The IAEA Brief on Enhancing Patient Care in Africa Through Safe Medical Imaging highlights the importance of having well qualified medical physicists in Africa to handle high-tech medical imaging equipment such as multi-slice helical computed tomography scanners.
Another recent IAEA Brief on Detecting and Treating Cervical Cancer Using Diagnostic Imaging Techniques and Radiotherapy focuses on the IAEA’s support to Member states in Latin America and the Caribbean, and how nuclear medicine and radiation therapy offer rapid diagnosis and effective treatment for various types of cancer, including cervical.
The document details IAEA assistance to Member States to enhance their national cancer care programme for cervical cancer through training, expert assistance, fellowships and the procurement of equipment.
The third in the IAEA Brief series, Using Nuclear Techniques to Assess Breastfeeding Practices for Better Nutrition and Health, draws attention to the use of stable isotope techniques to evaluate activities to improve infant and young child feeding practices.
The Brief provides information about various IAEA projects in Member States to assist them gain competencies in applying the techniques that provide accurate and objective data on breastfeeding practices.
The IAEA plans to publish six more IAEA Briefs this year.
