status report - Office of Dietary Supplements - National Institutes of ...

are usually published in a scientific journal as a supplement dedicated to the topic of the
workshop. Formal bibliographies are often prepared for the workshops in conjunction with the
National Library of Medicine. The bibliographies serve as a resource for researchers and for
workshop participants, to inform them in areas that are related to their specialty, but distinct from
it. Current ODS publications are accessible through the ODS Internet web site and are listed in
Appendix E.
Databases
Databases are computerized systems of information that can be accessed and searched for
specific topics. For example, databases exist that provide scientific literature citations, DNA and
protein sequences, chemical carcinogens, as well as administrative databases of goods and
services. Reports can be generated by searching the database, for example, to produce a list of
publications or clinical trials dealing with a specific topic.
Congress mandated that the ODS collect and compile databases of federally funded
research and peer-reviewed scientific literature regarding dietary supplements. To fulfill these
mandates, the ODS is developing two databases that will be accessible to the public through the
ODS Internet home page. IBIDS (International Bibliographic Information on Dietary
Supplements) is a database of published, international, scientific literature on dietary
supplements that is accessible to the public through the ODS Internet home page (http://dietarysupplements.info.nih.gov/databases/ibids.html).
CARDS (Computer Access to Research on
Dietary Supplements) is a database that will consist of existing and ongoing dietary supplement
research currently supported by federal agencies. IBIDS and CARDS are described in detail in
the “Accomplishments” section of this report.
Internet Home Page
One of the most effective and inexpensive methods for accomplishing widespread
communication is the use of information technologies such as the World Wide Web. The ODS
developed an Internet home page to disseminate information. This web site (http://dietarysupplements.info.nih.gov)
is another avenue for coordinating research efforts and support in
dietary supplements at NIH. A primary goal during its development was to ensure that the format
would be easy to use and would provide quick information access by a broad spectrum of
individuals, including scientists, health care professionals, the industry, educators, the media, and
the general public.
The ODS web site provides information on the ODS, including its origins, mandates,
mission statement, and strategic plan. It also provides access to the ODS databases and
publications, current funding opportunities, as well as other activities, programs, and scientific
resources. Other World Wide Web sites that are relevant to dietary supplements are linked to the
ODS home page, including sites at NIH and other federal agencies; dietary supplement-related
databases; scientific, professional, and trade association organizations, and other links of interest.
The ODS web site will be a dynamic, evolving project that will be enhanced and updated
as information becomes available, as the needs of users change, and as new discoveries about
dietary supplements are revealed through research.
Awards of Merit
Awards of merit are monetary awards that may be given to scientists or staff to recognize
outstanding efforts on behalf of the ODS. Travel awards may also be given to defray the cost of
12