Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Mon, Jul 20 1992 Date: Mon, 20 Jul 92 04:12:10 EDT Message-ID: 07-20 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update July 20, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network HIV TAKES DEADLY TURN: Some disturbing news has come out about AIDS. A report in the current Newsweek says there are some people with AIDS who either don't have the HIV virus or it cannot be detected in them. Another report, to be presented this week at the Eighth International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, suggests the virus may be able to adapt itself to target heterosexuals. (For more, see special AIDS package below.) MANY CANCER SURVIVORS TROUBLED: Childhood cancer survivors may suffer emotional problems at least into their 40s. That's according to a new study by Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. Findings of survivors treated up to 35 years ago showed they are less likely to marry. About half of survivors said cancer has negatively affected their marriage. Survivors were also less likely to have kids. LOOK OUT FOR TICKS: The more a person about Lyme disease, the more likely they are to protect themselves against it. A statewide survey in Connecticut shows 60% of those who say they know "a lot" about Lyme disease took precautions against it, such as looking for and removing ticks after being in wooded or grassy areas and wearing long pants in the woods. Next week is Lyme Disease Awareness Week. EXERCISE GOOD FOR SLEEPING: Regular exercise helps older men fall asleep faster than men who spend their golden years in the front porch rocker. A new Duke University study indicates occasional exercise may change sleep patterns, but doesn't improve them. Researchers say overall fitness is more important to getting a good night's sleep than a single burst of activity. COFFEE CAN BE GOOD: Previous studies have linked coffee drinking to a higher risk of heart disease, but research has found people can safely drink four six-ounce cups a day. Research done at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute found that while four cups of coffee per day raised blood levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), in some cases it also raised HDL (good cholesterol) levels enough to offset any negative effects. ALCOHOL MAKES FAT BURN SLOWLY: A new study from the University of Lausanne, in Switzerland, found that when people drink alcohol, their bodies burn fat much more slowly than usual. The researchers discovered that although alcohol increases energy expenditure, it decreases lipid oxidation. Even moderate amounts of alcohol are fat-producing. FULLER TO DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS: The H.B. Fuller Company says it will discontinue sales of solvent adhesives wherever those products are known to be abused as inhalants. The decision is in response to the abuse and misuse of solvent-based adhesives by street children in Central America. The company is studying deterrent additives and working to develop alternative adhesive formulations. WARNING ON WATER USE: Recent and anticipated intense rainstorms in Detroit result in increased health hazards from exposure to contaminants in the Rouge and Ecorse rivers, Detroit River and Lake St. Clair near the mouth of the Milk River, officials say. Virtually all samples collected at different locations after storms violate state standards for bacterial quality. Residents should avoid contact with the water. DISEASE SPREADS AMONG HORSES: Following an outbreak of suspected Equine Viral Aitis at several racetracks in New England, the Virginia State Veterinarian has prohibited importation of horses from selected states into the Commonwealth of Virginia. The states are Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, and Connecticut. Two deaths have been reported as of July 15. EVA affects horses only. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON AIDS: VIRUS CONFUSES EXPERTS: Dr. Jonathan Mann of Harvard says he doesn't know if the AIDS virus is evolving in ways that are going to make it more difficult to develop a vaccine or "if it's a matter of just discovering what's been going on all along." A report in Newsweek points to the possibility that there is another AIDS virus, or perhaps variety of infectious agents that can destroy the immune system. VIRUS MIGHT BE SPECIALIZED: In Thailand, researchers are finding a strain of HIV that seems to spread predominantly through heterosexual contact. This raises the possibility that, under the right conditions, the virus can adapt itself to specialize in heterosexual spread. These findings could help explain why heterosexual transmission is common in some areas and relatively uncommon in others, such as the USA. THEORY MAY HAVE BEEN WRONG: Until now, the best explanation doctors have been able to come up with for AIDS in third world countries among heterosexuals has been that the prevalence of other sexually transmitted diseases and overall poor health in some countries makes people more susceptible to sexual HIV infection. That theory may have been wrong. (End of package.) Health Editor: Michele Coleman. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. 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