Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.snap From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: snap Fri, Mar 6 1992 Date: Fri, 6 Mar 92 05:54:04 EST Message-ID: 03-06 0000 cc cc March 6, 1992 SNAPSHOTS: A look at the news, money, sports, and lifestyle statistics that shape our world from the pages of USA TODAY. SICK SYSTEMS: Computer viruses, unknown seven years ago, now are being detected at a rate of more than two discoveries per day. Number of new viruses discovered: 1986 5 1987 14 1988 25 1989 63 1990 220 1991(1) 504 1-thru August Source: National Computer Security Association FALLING RATES FUEL HOME SALES: Sales of new homes rose 51% in January from a year earlier. Mortgage rates fell to an average 8.43% from 9.64%. ew single-family houses sold at seasonally adjusted annual rate: 1991 January 406,000 February 490,000 March 497,000 April 505,000 May 511,000 June 513,000 July 505,000 August 522,000 September 499,000 October 526,000 November 568,000 December 542,000 1992 January 612,000 Source: Commerce Department POOL - RIGHT ON CUE: Nearly 39 million people in the USA play pocket billiards at least once a year. Age breakdown: Age Percentage of players 6-11 6% 12-17 13% 18-34 52% 35-54 23% 55-over 6% Source: Billiard Congress of America COPING WITH CANINES: Leading pros and cons of dog ownership: Benefits Drawbacks Companionship 78% Finding care while away 45% Security 21% Shedding 16% People could choose more than one answer. Source: NFO Research, Inc. poll of 407 dog owners for Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM