*** News You Can Use! -- 20 June 1996 ***
The term "Internet addiction disorder" has officially entered the medical lexicon, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Kimberly Young, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, says the problem is as real as alcoholism. Young studied 400 heavy on-line users, and found the same problems associated with compulsive gambling or drinking. They included: going heavily into debt, getting fired, losing contact with family and friends, and ignoring personal needs such as eating or bathing. Ironically, the best way to contact and offer help to those afflicted is -- you guessed it -- through the Internet. (Broadcast News, 15 June 1996)
The Food and Drug Administration gave their approval to Humalog, a faster-acting insulin, and Camptosar, which has been found to destroy colorectal cancer tumor cells.
Normally, diabetics must take insulin about an hour before eating. But Eli Lilly and Company switched two amino acids in the synthetic hormone, to get it into the bloodstream more quickly. Humalog can be taken as little as 15 minutes before meals. Humalog will only be available by prescription.
A new drug has been found to be effective shrinking tumors caused by colorectal cancer, in cases where surgery and other drugs failed. Irinotecan will be sold under the name Camptosar, and early studies show it shrank tumors in 13 percent of the patients who received it. (Associated Press, 17 June 1996)
In last week's News You Can Use! we noted an animal study that suggested pesticides in combination cause reproductive defects in animals. Now, scientists are worried that chemical pollutants in the environment are responsible for the dramatic rise in testicular cancer. Studies presented at the International Congress of Endocrinology show that the once-rare cancer is up 300% in Denmark over the past 60 years, and has doubled in the United States over the same period of time. As Tim Friend writes in USA Today: "No link has been proven between pollutants and testicular problems, but among signs:
* Studies of aborted male fetuses show testicular cancer is already developing in the womb, suggesting chemical exposures are involved.
* There are dramatic geographic variations. The cancer has risen 300% in Denmark but stayed the same in Finland. The main difference: Denmark is agricultural, Finland is not." (USA Today, 16 June 1996)
A study finds that so-called age-defying creams, containing alpha-hydroxy acid, do reduce wrinkles somewhat and improve the skin. Sixty-seven women used the creams for 22 weeks, and 70% showed improvement. Before the study, their skin was rated from 1 to 10 (undamaged to significantly damaged), and most women improved one to two points on the scale after steady use of the cream. They experienced reduced wrinkling, and saw better color, texture and elasticity. Researchers used Pond's Age-Defying Complex, and Chesebrough-Pond's parent company, Unilever, supported the research but was not involved in the study's design or content. The study is published in the Archives of Dermatology.
The Food and Drug Administration remains concerned about alpha-hydroxy acids. Some people experience skin irritation and the acids increased sensitivity to sunlight. The FDA's Dr. John Bailey says their review could lead to a label warning that the products should be used with a sunscreen. (Associated Press, USA Today, 14 June 1996)
The National Committee for Quality Assurance has released its reports on 48 health plans in the United States. NCQA accredits health maintenance organizations, and by making those results available, the organization hopes to help consumers make informed choices. HMO's are graded on quality of care, relationship with members, physician qualifications and evaluation, and other information. The reports are available free on-line, or for $3 each by calling toll-free 800-839-6487. (Associated Press, 19 June 1996)
The annual report from Canada's Patented Medicine Prices Review Board show prescription drug use up 15% from 1994 to 1995. Their chairman, Robert Elgie, says the increase seems to be larger than can be accounted for by the aging of the population, and presumably, doctors are writing more prescriptions. Toronto health policy analyst Michael Rachlis said doctors may be over-medicating their patients. He said doctors get little drug therapy training in medical school, and rely on drug companies for their information on drugs. Perhaps in response, the Ontario government has banded together with health care professionals, seniors and consumers groups, to create a new ad campaign. The TV spots, urging people to take drugs responsibly, begin airing 24 June. (Broadcast News, 18 June 1996, 19 June)
Separate groups of scientists have made great advances in understanding the mechanism by which the AIDS virus penetrates and destroys key immune cells. The studies, including two in the 20 June edition of Nature and one in the 21 June issue of Science, identify molecular doorways the virus uses to enter cells. These new findings identify a process that prevents HIV from even entering blood cells, a necessary step for AIDS to grow. Nathaniel Landau, of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York City, said one molecule, which they call CKR-5, appears to be "absolutely required" in the earliest stages of the disease. "We think that if you could block CKR-5, you could block infection."
Also, a speedy delivery can lessen the chances that an HIV-infected mom will transmit the disease to her baby. A study published in the "New England School of Medicine" finds that if the baby is born less than four hours after the mother's water breaks, the risk of infection is nearly cut in half. (Associated Press, 19 June 1996, USA Today, 20 June)
Natural Resources Canada conducted a series of consumer focus groups in 1994, and they found that price is the big priority when shopping for a car. But fuel efficiency, once a major concern during the gas shortage, is now an afterthought. Price, type of vehicle, reputation, comfort, appearance and performance all ranked higher than good mileage. And even when group participants identified miles per gallon as an important measure, their concern was usually saving money, rather than any environmental concerns. (Broadcast News, 19 June 1996)
STB's News You Can Use! edited and written by --
Tom Connolly, for Infant Moose Web Page Creations.
Past newsletters: 12 June 1996 | 6 June 1996 | 31 May 1996 | 25 May 1996 | 16 May 1996 | 9 May 1996
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