Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Mon, Mar 9 1992 Date: Mon, 9 Mar 92 05:46:24 EST Message-ID: 03-09 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update March 9, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network ASTHMA CLUE DISCOVERED: British researchers announced Sunday the discovery of a marker for a gene that causes asthma. Within five years, the discovery could lead to better treatment for asthma, which afflicts one in 20 people worldwide. The search for the gene has been narrowed to three genes, say Drs. William Cookson and Julian Hopkin, Oxford University. The actual gene may be found in three months. ASTHMA CLUE MUST BE CONFIRMED: By studying DNA from 1,000 people in 100 families which appeared to have hereditary asthma, researchers have found a marker for a gene that causes asthma. With the discovery of the actual gene, gene therapy and prenatal testing for asthma become possible, say researchers. The findings still need to be confirmed, says allergist Dr. Malcolm Blumenthal, University of Minnesota. NUTRASWEET COMPLAINTS ADDRESSED: Consuming NutraSweet, also known as aspartame, does not cause allergic reaction, suggests a study conducted by Raif S. Geha, M.D. The study, funded by The NutraSweet Company, addressed consumer complaints of hives and swelling believed to be associated with aspartame. Aspartame is never consumed in pure form, but with other ingredients, which may have caused the reactions, says Geha. YEW COLLECTION DISPUTED: Federal forests yielded 825,000 pounds of bark from yew trees, the source of taxol, which may fight ovarian and breast cancer, but another 300,000 pounds may have been wasted, says the Environmental Defense Fund. Congress has urged federal agencies to set stricter collection guidelines. "If this were prostate cancer, they'd be out there with tweezers," Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii. IMPLANT BATTLE CONTINUES: Women in legal battles against faulty breast implants have encountered another obstacle. Many surgeons, when asked to preserve tissue and the sacs of gel for evidence, worry about liability from the removal and hesitate to secure evidence for malpractice claims. Society has no idea what to do when physicians disagree with patient demands, says Robert Veatch, Georgetown University. PREGNANCY VIEWED AS ILLNESS: Pregnant women are considered as invalids, reports a new survey. In a random survey of 329 Oklahoma City residents, 70% believed that pregnant women were "people who are acutely sick," says researcher Sheila Myers, University of Oklahoma, Norman. Such attitudes push women into a vulnerable role and give them a low status associated with sickness, says Myers. DYSTONIA OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED: Sufferers of dystonia, a nerve disorder, consult an average of four doctors before getting a correct diagnosis, reports a survey of 1,114 patients. The survey also found that a correct diagnosis sometimes took five years, and as many as 10. Symptoms of the disorder include muscular spasms which cause grimaces, head-bobbing or loss of speech. No cure or consistent treatment is available. S.C. REPORTS SYPHILIS RISE: The number of syphilis cases reported in South Carolina rose by 43% in 1991 to 1,527, the state health department says. The figure represents the most cases since 1947. South Carolina, which was seventh nationally in 1990, ranked fourth in the nation in cases per capita in 1991. Illegal drugs and unprotected sex were cited for the increase. MASS. ADDRESSES TB CONCERNS: Massachusetts health officials plan to meet Monday with 2,400 IRS Service Center employees to discuss tuberculosis concerns. Last week, a member of the cleaning crew was diagnosed with the disease. The center also operates a day-care center for the children of workers. BIKES TOP ACCIDENT LIST: Bicycles are involved in the most household accidents that require emergency room visits, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Following bikes were knives, nails, screws, tacks, saws and drinking glasses. BARBERS MAY FACE SMOKING BAN: Florida's barber board will meet in two weeks to discuss plans to ban smoking in the state's 26,000 barbershops, an official says. The possible action is in response to worries over the dangers of secondary smoke. A similar ban is already in effect in state beauty parlors. KANSAS TO DEBATE ABORTION BILL: Among 110 bills the Kansas Senate and House will debate is a proposal that would ensure women's access to abortions and regulate when women could receive abortions. The bills are scheduled to be debated before a Wednesday deadline. Health Editor: Christopher Goldthwaite. (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