Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health,americast.usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Wed, Sep 9 1992 Date: Wed, 9 Sep 92 04:29:47 EDT Message-ID: 09-09 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update Sept. 9, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network DONOR EGGS WORK FOR 40ISH WOMEN: Women who try to get pregnant with other women's eggs are just as likely to succeed in their 40s as in their 30s. A report in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association says 27 out of 65 post-menopausal women over 40 delivered donor-egg babies. Average age: 44. Oldest: 52. "This really does work," says Dr. Mark V. Sauer of the University of Southern California. (For more, see special Eggs package below.) TRANSPLANT TO GET ANOTHER SHOT: Doctors are planning a second baboon-to-human liver transplant that could be performed as early as October. This time, it'll be on a healthier patient with a better chance of survival. The world's first recipient of a baboon liver died Sunday of a brain hemorrhage apparently unrelated to the transplant. SMOKING TIED TO BEHAVIOR: Mothers who smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day may find their kids have serious behavior problems. A new study finds a link between maternal smoking and emotional trauma. Researchers at the University of Rochester say the more a mom smokes, the more problems a child has - and the problems are more severe. SMOKING MOMS MAY BE DEPRESSED: Dr. Michael Weitzman, University of Rochester School of Medicine suggests smokers' babies get less oxygen and nutrients in utero. Another theory for why babies of smoking moms may have emotional problems: Nicotine stimulates the central nervous system, and exposure may spark hyperactivity. Also, depressed, anxious mothers are more likely to smoke. COMPUTERS EASY TO TALK TO: Blood donors might be more honest about whether they're an AIDS risk if they talk to computers instead of humans. A new study finds 12 of 272 donors told computers about risky behavior or possible AIDS symptoms. None mentioned those things in the routine written questionnaires or personal interviews. COURT REVERSES CIGARETTE RULING: The Third Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday overturned a February decision convicting U.S. cigarette makers of engaging in fraud by not making public its research on smoking and health. A panel said the tobacco industry had not been given the chance to present its case. It also said the decision was "based on improper conideration of evidence." GOV. WILSON MULLS HEALTH PLAN: A coalition of more than a dozen health, labor and public interest organizations Tuesday called on Governor Pete Wilson to sign legislation creating an independent commission to develop and implement a universal health insurance system for Californians. The legislation is the first step toward the adoption of a new health insurance system. HURRICANE TRAUMA WON'T GO AWAY: One year from now, Hurricane Andrew will sweep through South Florida again, reopening emotional wounds that many of its survivors might have thought were healed. Psychologists saw renewed pain in San Francisco a year after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; in South Carolina after Hurricane Hugo; and in Shadyside, Ohio after deadly flash floods. SEPT. IS NATIONAL RICE MONTH: The USA Rice Council is celebrating National Rice Month by offering a free brochure. The New Food Pyramid brochure includes an explanation of the new food pyramid and rice recipes. You can get a copy by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Rice Council, P.O. Box 740121, Houston, Texas, 77274. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON EGGS: SUCCESS RATE COMPARED: The 34% success rate of pregnancies in women over 40 was nearly identical to that of patients under 40 who used donor eggs because of premature menopause or other problems. And it was far better than the 11% success rate seen in women over 40 implanted with embryos made from their own aging eggs. Each woman in the study used her husband's sperm. PROGRAM IS EXPENSIVE: A quarter of over-40 women who apply for Sauer's program are rejected, usually because of health problems. Not all clinics are as successful. The typical delivery rate with donor eggs is 22%. One attempt can cost $10,000. EGG DONORS NEEDED: Donors are in short supply. No wonder: Donating eggs requires daily injections for four weeks and minor surgery to extract the eggs. Clinics pay volunteers up to $2,000. Sauer has a 55-year-old patient who is about to deliver, but says, "55 is pushing it." (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