*** News You Can Use! -- 14 September 1996 ***
Reporting in the journal "Science," California researchers have tracked a naturally-occuring brain chemical called urocortin, and its effects on the appetite. Urocortin keeps us from eating when we're stressed, and is closely related to the brain chemical that generates the "fight or flight" response. But even though urocortin is associated with stress, it doesn't cause anxiety, so it's considered a good candidate for weight-control drugs. Conceivably, new drugs could stimulate production of urocortin to reduce weight, or block production to increase weight. The original news of the chemical's discovery and its effects was noted by The Salk Institute (Associated Press, 12 September 1996)
See the CNN story.
A pilot study conducted at Children's Hospital in Buffalo, New York, used a new technique to rescue endangered infants with underdeveloped lungs. Doctors pumped an oxygen-rich liquid into the tiny lungs of premature babies to take the place of air. The special liquid, called perflubron or LiquiVent, was developed by Allied Pharmaceutical and Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals. It softens lung tissue, which helps the air sacs allow oxygen in and carbon dioxide out. In a few days, the liquid is allowed to evaporate, and if all goes well, the babies are able to breathe air. According to the study in The New England Journal of Medicine, seven of the 13 babies given the liquid survived without the ill effects common in extremely small infants, such as serious lung damage or mental retardation. (Associated Press, 11 September 1996; USA Today, 12 September)
See the CNN story.
For years, the accepted treatment for osteoporosis was estrogen. But the replacement hormone pills have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, so some women have hoped for an alternative. That second choice may be alendronate or Fosamax, manufactured by Merck & Company. Last month, the FDA approved it for treating osteoporosis. A two-year study of 1,609 healthy women ages 45 to 59 were given either estrogen, Fosamax or dummy pills. Fosamax thickened bones as well as estrogen, with no more side effects than those on the dummy pills. Those on estrogen experienced the well-known side effects, such as breast tenderness. In other studies, alendronate had caused stomach and muscle pains. And this alternative doesn't have estrogen's additional benefits, such as protecting women against heart disease and Alzheimer's. (Associated Press, 11 September 1996; USA Today, 12 September)
The National Institute of Health is looking for about 500 volunteers who are at moderate risk of developing diabetes. Juvenile diabetes usually strikes children, or people under the age of 45. The condition requires a lifetime of insulin injections. Now researchers hope that by giving people small crystals of insulin before they contract diabetes, they can stop or delay the disease. For further information, call 1-800-HALT-DM-1, or 1-800-425-8361. (Associated Press, 9 September 1996)
See the CNN story.
A study conducted by the American Hospital Association finds that employers provided health insurance for just under 74% of their workers in 1995, down from nearly 78% in 1990. Among the reasons: more people are working part-time, or for more than one employer. And people change jobs more frequently, a trend that was supposed to be covered by new federal program that allows people to keep their insurance. But that program forces workers to pay the whole cost of the insurance, and most say that's too expensive. As a result, only 18% of people leaving jobs take advantage of the program, according to this study. The final result -- growing numbers of uninsured people. The report estimates there are nearly 40 million Americans with no health insurance now, and predicts that number will grow to nearly 46 million by 2002.
In another health study, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked over a 1992-93 national survey of teens and their families. At the time, they noted that more than half of teens had two or more risk factors for chronic disease. The new data finds that there is a link between lower levels of income and education, and higher levels of health risk. For instance, in families where the responsible adult had less than a high school education, 25% of teens smoked. That figute was 16% where the responsible adult was a college graduate. (Associated Press, 11 September 1996, 10 September)
See the CNN story.
A device that weighs just four pounds, and is the size of a book, may make the defibrillator a more common sight in America. Paramedic units carry defibrillators, but if they don't arrive at a cardiac emergency in the first critical minutes, their effectiveness is decreased. So by making a much smaller and cheaper ($3000 - $4000) device, cardiologists hope to place the gear with security guards, police and even flight attendants.
See the USA Today story.
Another device hopes to quickly determine whether a patient with chest pains has actually suffered a heart attack. Two Toronto hospitals (Mount Sinai Hospital and The Toronto Hospital) are trying out a new cardiac status test that takes about 15 minutes to administer. Results come back within three hours, less than half the current time. The test looks for heart enzymes that leak into the bloodstream when heart muscle are damaged during an attack. Studies indicate that 5 to 8% of heart attack patients are misdiagnosed and discharged from the ER, and of those, 25% die. (Associated Press, 12 September 1996; Broadcast News, 9 September)
Researchers reporting in the Annals of Internal Medicine say a new 10-minute test for the HIV virus is accurate. Why is it important to turn around results quickly? The current standard test takes hours at least, and usually longer. That means that people who get tested have to return for results, and many don't. But if the test is quick, patients can receive immediate counseling, which the study's author said "could make a big difference in controlling" the AIDS epidemic.
And it's important that the test also be accurate, as illustrated by this story from 1990. Raymond Williams of Dallas was diagnosed with HIV, and began taking the drug AZT, which has numerous unpleasant side effects. Williams has trouble walking now. Last year, he learned that the lab made a mistake, and he's suing for over $50,000 dollars, charging negligence. (Associated Press, 14 September 1996)
See the CNN story.
- The syndicated TV show American Journal conducted an informal test of Breath Assure, the product that claims to stop bad breath. Six volunteer dental students from Baylor College ate a spicey lunch. Three were given Breath Assure, and the other three, Vitamin E. Everyone's breath still smelled of garlic. Unscientific and a small sample size, but I bet it was funny TV. (CBS Radio, 12 September 1996)
- Similarly, "Shape" magazine has a way to prevent colds and flu this winter. Simply add 3 to 5 cloves of garlic to your meals each day. That ought to keep the doctor away, the illness away, and pretty much any contamination from human contact, too. (CBS Radio, 12 September 1996)
- A British archaeologist speculates that comets or meteorites may have triggered off two plagues that swept through Europe in the 6th and 14th centuries. Mike Baillie examined theories that deadly bacteria from outer space carried the plague. He says it's more likely a collision with earth kicked up enough dust to create poor environmental conditions, which in turn led to the plagues. (Broadcast News, 11 September 1996)
- A cautionary tale from Minnesota... according to federal health officials, it all began at a wedding shower. A woman who ran a day care center in her home apparently didn't do a good enough job of washing her hands after changing diapers... and before making the chicken salad for the shower. Within two weeks of the party, 15 people had diarrhea and stomach pain. The culprit was a parasite in human and animal feces. In 1994, the same parasite sickened Maine residents who drank cider, from apples which had fallen in a cow pasture. (Associated Press, 12 September 1996)
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a review of pesticide labels, after a greenhouse worker got sick, despite following the label instructions. While using the popular bug killer Sulfotepp, the man used a face mask and filter, as the instructions called for. But it apparently wasn't enough to protect him. (Associated Press, 13 September 1996)
STB's News You Can Use! edited and written by --
Tom Connolly, for Infant Moose Web Page Creations.
Past newsletters: 7 September 1996 | 31 August 1996 | 24 August 1996 | 17 August 1996 | 9 August 1996 | 2 August 1996 | 25 July 1996 | 18 July 1996 | 11 July 1996 | 3 July 1996 | 26 June 1996 | 20 June 1996 | 12 June 1996 | 6 June 1996 | 31 May 1996 | 25 May 1996 | 16 May 1996 | 9 May 1996
[Home Page]
[About STB] -- Learn why we got started!
[Catalog] -- A full listing of our nationally-respected videos.
[Testimonials] -- Our customers speak for themselves!
[Your Special Needs] -- A guide to help you select which tapes are right for you.
[Order Form] -- Check out our web site discounts!
[Resources & Links] -- Useful information links to a variety of related organizations.