News & Announcements

Be the first person to recommend this.
In the realm of laboratory operations, we often encounter confusing situations where the tried-and-true procedures remain unchanged, yet unexpected occurrences arise. This begs the question: why does this happen? Within the scientific community, a prevailing belief holds that diligently following the correct procedure , in line with standard operating procedure (SOP), should prevent such issues from arising. However, recent insights shed light on the notion that adherence to procedure alone may not always guarantee immunity from problems or occurrences. Respected expert Clifford Chapman , MS, HTL (ASCP) QIHC, articulately addressed this paradox on June ...
0 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
In the realm of virology, the electron microscope stands as an invaluable tool, offering unprecedented insights into the morphology and structure of viruses. Since its inception in the early 20th century, electron microscopy has revolutionized our understanding of viral pathogens, facilitating crucial discoveries and breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and biotechnology. The editorial titled " Electron Microscopy in Virus Discovery and Identification " in the current issue of the Journal of Histotechnology sheds light on the pivotal role of electron microscopy in elucidating viral biology and its applications in contemporary research and clinical practice. ...
0 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
Frank Walsh, a tech in the immunostains lab at the Mayo Clinic, had a mystery on his hands: The Mayo Clinic’s slides had problems with HER2 and no one knew what the issue was or what to do about it. Walsh and his colleagues launched an investigation into the slide mystery and through a lot of trial, along with some error, they were able to find the underlying cause of the issue and find solutions for it. In the NSH “Slide Surface Chemistry” webinar, Walsh discusses this investigation process, as well as the following lessons he learned along the way—lessons that may be able to help you in your own lab. Choose the Best Slides The Mayo Clinic’s HER2 ...
0 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
You have worked hard, paid your dues, and that coveted leadership position has finally come your way. After the initial euphoria has worn off, you realize that you’re in over your head… Does this scenario sound familiar to you? It does to me, as it is a brief overview of what occurred with my first leadership role. Many of us in leadership have had positions given to us with the only direction provided was, “Make it work.” This happens for many varied reasons, which could start a whole separate blog discussion. For this edition, however, I would like to share some of the wisdom I have accrued over the years in different organizations. My goal is to help the reader ...
1 comment
Be the first person to recommend this.
Whether you're a seasoned histotech or a newbie, we've all been there – those moments when your samples just don't quite fix the way they should. But fear not, because here are some tips to help you sail through those rough waters and ensure your histological specimens are perfectly preserved. This is part two of our Troubleshooting Fixation in Histology blog series. Problem: Tissue Shrinkage Symptoms : Tissue samples appear smaller than expected or display irregular shapes. Causes : Hyperosmolar fixatives or prolonged fixation. Solution : Opt for isotonic fixatives when possible and limit the fixation time. If shrinkage has already occurred, ...
1 comment
1 person recommends this.
Whether you're a seasoned histotech or a newbie, we've all been there – those moments when your samples just don't quite fix the way they should. But fear not, because here are some tips to help you sail through those rough waters and ensure your histological specimens are perfectly preserved. The Basics of Fixation Before we dive into troubleshooting, let's quickly recap the basics of fixation. Fixation is the process of preserving tissue samples by chemically stabilizing their cellular structures. Proper fixation is essential to ensure that the tissue's morphology and molecular components remain intact for downstream processing and analysis. Fixation’s ...
0 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
In the intricate web of women's health, uterine fibroids emerge as a common but often misunderstood adversary. A recent article titled " The Burden of Uterine Fibroids: An Overview " in the Journal of Histotechnology (JOH) by Jitu George seeks to unravel the complexities surrounding these smooth muscle tumors, shedding light on their prevalence, associated challenges, and the evolving landscape of diagnosis and management. Uterine leiomyomas, colloquially known as fibroids, originate from the myometrium—the outer muscular layer of the uterus. The article begins by emphasizing the ubiquitous nature of fibroids, affecting 80% of women by the age of 50. Despite ...
0 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
You’re excited. You’ve just received your brand new tissue processor and, like a kid unwrapping a present on Christmas morning, you can’t wait to dive in and play with your shiny new toy. After all, your lab may not have gotten a new tissue processor for ten years, so you’re really eager to find out what your new equipment can do. But not so fast. According to Heather Renko-Breed, Director of Product Marketing-Tissue Processing at Epredia, the last thing you want to do is just start using a new tissue processor before understanding how it works. “You cannot just move your protocols from your old tissue processor to your next,” said Renko-Breed during the ...
1 comment
3 people recommend this.
Henry Ford once said, “There are no big problems - there are just a lot of little problems.” When it comes to cross contamination, there is no single source of contamination, nor will a solitary solution perfectly eliminate all potential concerns. Cross contamination is a complex issue that requires one to break the problem down into smaller, more manageable parts. To begin with, one must define the term, cross contamination, and determine how frequently labs are experiencing this problem. C ross contamination is simply extraneous tissue that is present on a microscope slide but is from a different specimen. This can be as simple as a few ...
0 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
My name is Clare Thornton, and I was honored to be sponsored by NSH to attend the 2023 ASCLS Legislative Symposium in October. NSH has been a partner with ASCLS in the Legislative Symposium for the past few years, and several members have been able to attend. On the first day, attendees listened to several speakers about the current laboratory field, including legislative issues and workforce issues. On the second day, attendees are encouraged to visit their congressional representative s to talk to them about these issues. Attendees need to secure their own appointments with their legislators. I was lucky to have a meeting scheduled with Tyler Nadeau, the healthcare ...
5 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
Organizations like NSH, ASCP, and CAP are all dedicated to helping laboratorians advance their careers and make a positive impact on patient care by providing training and resources. But finding resources can be tricky, there is so much and so many places to look that it can be difficult to sift through everything in a timely way. This is especially true because when you go from a main site like nsh.org to another digital property, like elearn.nsh.org, you are going to a totally unique website, with its own search and library of content. So why does that matter to you? Because when you are in a hurry and looking for help or a resource you don’t want ...
2 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
The booming pet food industry in the United States caters to the diverse dietary needs of our feline companions. With an increasing number of pet owners opting for moist or canned cat food, understanding the histologic makeup of these products becomes paramount. In a revealing study conducted by Haven et al., titled "Histologic examination of canned cat food," the microscopic examination of 40 canned cat food samples sheds light on the intricacies of what goes into our pets' bowls. Moist cat food has gained popularity among pet owners, and for good reason. Its higher water content is touted for promoting healthy kidney function in cats, making it a preferred ...
1 comment
1 person recommends this.
The workforce is currently grappling with a concerning shortage of histotechnologists, a situation that is generating significant strain on existing staff members ( read more about the shortage ). T his scarcity has led companies to hire recent science graduates with four-year degrees, but no histology certification, and subsequently provide histology training on the job. In some instances, labs have resorted to hiring for tasked based work. For example, hiring someone without much science or lab experience, just to cut. Is this an ideal situation? No, it's not. But it is a reality, presenting the challenge of ensuring new staff have the foundational ...
3 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
In the ever-evolving landscape of molecular biology and histotechnology, a paradigm shift is underway - the rise of spatial omics. This revolutionary approach has ushered in a new era of exploration, offering insights that were once unimaginable. In this academic discussion, we will delve into the intriguing realm of spatial omics, exploring its significance, methodologies, and potential applications in histotechnology. Unveiling the Spatial Omics Landscape The molecular world is complex, dynamic, and exquisitely organized. To truly understand it, we need more than just a broad overview of molecular components; we need to uncover where each component ...
2 comments

The SALSA Act

Be the first person to recommend this.
The National Society for Histotechnology is a proud partner of The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Legislative Symposium each fall. During the event members of ASCLS and their partner organizations come to Washington D.C. to provide a visible and informed voice, and make our concerns known inside Congress. Day one involves regulatory and legislation updates. Day two sends attendees out for visits with their representatives in Congress. The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) has lead advocacy efforts on The SALSA Act and along with colleagues from the and the National Independent Laboratory Association (NILA) ...
0 comments
1 person recommends this.
In their 2015 paper, Implementing Learning Organization Components in Ardabil Regional Water Company Based on Marquardt Systematic Model (1), Daryani and Zirak have pointed out that organizations are shifting towards becoming learning organizations. They argue that many organizations now recognize the importance of learning to enhance performance and adapt to environmental changes. However, this shift primarily emphasizes organizational learning over individual learning. Organizational learning involves employees learning from each other. Daryani and Zirak describe this as employees informally learning from each other through collaborative work and shared ...
0 comments
1 person recommends this.
Peggy Robinson, CEO at Caza Health, LLC , a company focused on developing better diagnostics for women's health, recently shared some staggering data on women’s health during her keynote, How Do Women Get Better Access to Healthcare? Point of Care Holds the Answer , at the 2023 NSH Convention in Baltimore. Here are some key findings on global health statistics of women from a 2021 Hologic Global Women’s Health Index 2 : There are 3.98 billion women in the world 1 billion never saw a healthcare provider (that’s over 25%) Only 12% of women had some type of cancer screening Only 19% of women were tested for diabetes ...
1 comment
Be the first person to recommend this.
Attending my first National Society of Histotechnology (NSH) convention in Baltimore was a truly eye-opening and unforgettable experience. As a newcomer to the field who is passionate about expanding my histotechnology education, I had no idea what to expect, but the event exceeded everything I could have imagined. This convention left an indelible mark on my career, from remarkable workshops to incredible networking opportunities. Here are the highlights! Volunteering This was my first year and I wanted to dig in immediately. I signed up to volunteer at the registration desk and met some ...
2 comments
2 people recommend this.
I have made my career in various research academic and CRO laboratories performing specialized hard tissue histology, ophthalmology research, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Even though I work within a relatively small specialized vision and ophthalmology research core lab, attending the 2023 NSH Convention – with the support of the NSH Convention Travel Poster Award I received valuable insights into areas I might otherwise not have a chance to explore. Attending the 2023 NSH Convention allowed me to attend various sessions within the research and clinical fields. Each talk was expertly succinct, informative, and insightful with adequate ...
0 comments
Be the first person to recommend this.
Each year at the NSH Convention, NSH and our sponsors take time to celebrate the accomplishments and ongoing endeavors of our members. This year, was no different as award and scholarships recipients were acknowledged throughout the Convention in Baltimore on September 8-12. Last week’s blog highlighted our award recipients for their excellence and dedication to the field. In this week’s post we will celebrate our Scholarship recipients. Peggy Wenk Histology Program Scholarship Albany State University, Program Director: Taiquanda Winbush, MS, HT(ASCP) Sponsored by Sakura Finetek USA Taiquanda says “I am continuously ...
1 comment