Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Headline Article Date: Sun, 15 Nov 92 16:56:27 EST Message-ID: \SE A;SCIENCE/HEALTH;SCIENCE/HEALTH ROUNDUP \BY FROM WIRE DISPATCHES AND STAFF REPORTS S=NEW STORY Tracking world's first plant The great-grandmother of the majority of land plants on the planet has been found. The humble Cooksonia, which became extinct around 400 million years ago, has been found to contain a crucial innovation that allowed vegetation to defy gravity. Careful examination of the fossilized remains of samples found in central England shows that Cooksonia developed a feature that would allow its descendants, whether roses or giant redwoods, to grow above ankle height. The discovery that Cooksonia contained water-conducting or vascular tissue was made by a team led by professor Dianne Edwards of University College in England and reported in the journal Nature. S=NEW STORY Revealing chats with friendly computer CHICAGO - Potential blood donors may be more comfortable talking to a computer than a human about their possible exposure to the AIDS virus, a study says. The researchers compared the rate of detection of traits associated with the AIDS virus, such as sex with a drug abuser, by computer interview with the standard American Red Cross procedures. The subjects were 294 men and women ages 18 to 75 interviewed at a Red Cross donor center in Dedham, Mass., and a mobile blood drive in Boston. "From the 272 donors who provided complete data, the computer identified 12 donors who reported either behaviors associated with a risk of HIV acquisition or symptoms compatible with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome," the researchers said. None of those donors were identified by routine written questionnaires or interviews, they found. S=NEW STORY A kit designed for easy breathing More than 72 million Americans suffer from nasal and sinus congestion, sinusitis and allergies, and through Nov. 30 consumers can call a toll-free number for free information on those problems. The "Breathe Easier America" hot line will remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 30, excluding Thanksgiving Day. Those calling the hot line will be eligible to receive the "Breathe Easier America" kit at no charge. The kit contains a 10-page booklet that explains the differences among these ailments, offers ideas for relief, and defines the most common drugs used to treat them. The hot line and kit are sponsored by the Allergy and Asthma Network, a nonprofit association that provides patient resource information and support to families struggling with allergies, asthma and upper respiratory conditions. S=NEW STORY Schools focus on asthma problems NEW YORK - Lung associations around the country are beginning to promote classes on asthma in elementary schools. Schools with asthmatic children are teaching children ages 8 to 11 how to prevent and control asthma symptoms, the American Lung Association said. The program consists of six sessions, each lasting 40 minutes and taught by volunteers or others. Children will discuss their feelings about asthma and learn to identify and act on symptoms early and how to use medicines properly. Sessions also will focus on identifying what can trigger asthma, how to reduce or remove such triggers, finding ways to stay physically active and learning how to decide if a student is well enough to go to school. S=NEW STORY Scientists progress on cancer vaccine STANFORD, Calif. - Seven of nine cancer patients injected with a genetically engineered vaccine made from their own tumors showed progress in fighting the disease, scientists said. Their study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved patients with B-cell lymphoma. Each received injections of the individualized vaccine and booster shots for six months. It is considered important because it could signal a better way to boost patients' immune systems enough for them to combat their cancer themselves and prevent its recurrence after chemotherapy treatment, doctors said. B-cell lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph glands caused by uncontrolled growth of the cells that make disease-fighting antibodies. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM