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 Fri, May 8 1992 Date: Fri, 8 May 92 05:31:37 EDT Message-ID: 05-08 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update May 8-10, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network PARKINSON'S ADVANCEMENT MADE: An experimental drug extracted from cow brain appears to reverse Parkinson's disease in animals, suggests preliminary research in Friday's Science. With the drug, Parkinson's-like symptoms induced in monkeys were reversed after six to eight weeks. The extract may enhance the brain's ability to repair damaged cells and boost production of the chemical dopamine, scientists say. VITAMIN C MAY LENGTHEN LIFE: Adding vitamin C to an already-healthy diet could increase men's life spans by up to five years, and women's by a year, a study out Thursday suggests. Vitamin C is particularly effective at cutting men's death rates from heart disease and stroke, says UCLA researcher James Enstrom, whose 10-year study included 11,348 U.S. adults. The findings appear in the May issue of Epidemiology. VITAMIN C STUDIES ONGOING: Further studies are needed to prove the link between vitamin C and longer lifespans reported in a recent study, says Dr. Daniel Steinberg, University of California Medical School, San Diego. Such studies are under way, with results due out in about three years. Men in the highest vitamin C group had a 35% lower mortality rate and a 42% lower death rate from heart disease and stroke. CLINICS PROTEST `GAG RULE': Health clinics have begun rejecting federal funds rather than comply with a Bush administration "gag rule" on abortion counseling. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Thursday turned down $2.25 million in funds, opting to close three of its 40 clinics and start charging poor women for checkups and birth control. Tuesday, Northern New England Planned Parenthood rejected $676,000. TOXIN MAY PREVENT STUTTERING: Stuttering may be more physical than psychological, meaning a drug could help half the USA's three million sufferers, preliminary research shows. Dr. Mitchell F. Brin, of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, injected tiny amounts of botulinum toxin - which causes botulism poisoning - into seven patients, blocking the nerve signals that cause stuttering. All seven patients improved. MAMMOGRAM FEARS ADDRESSED: An unpublished study that surfaced at a breast cancer conference in Boston last week linked mammograms with an small rise in the breast cancer death rate, causing some women to cancel mammograms. Radiologists said Wednesday the study is flawed. Nearly all groups, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to the American Cancer Society, stand by their mammogram recommendations. MAMMOGRAN CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED: First lady of Indiana Susan Bayh kicked off the "Mammograms for Mother's Day" campaign Thursday, urging Hoosier women to be screened for breast cancer. Only 50% of Indiana women over age 50 have had mammograms. State officials hope to boost that number to 75% by the year 2000. HEALTH CARE REFORM DISCUSSED: The public support needed for an overhaul of the health-care system doesn't exist, the Senate Finance Committee heard Thursday. The administration and Congress should build a public consensus before aiming at specific bills, said Deborah Steelman, a Washington, D.C., attorney. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said that advice will only delay the development of a solution. APPROACH TO NUCLEAR SAFETY POOR: The Department of Energy's approach to the health of its nuclear workers is haphazard, a scientist said Thursday. The DOE was criticized in "Dead Reckoning," a report co-authored by Dr. H. Jack Geiger. It was the result of a 30-month investigation by a group of physicians, epidemiologists and scientists with lobbying group Physicians for Social Responsibility in Washington, D.C.. FLU VACCINE REVAMPED: Next year's flu vaccine will target the strain that caused four out of five cases in last winter's early season, federal health officials said Thursday. It will protect against the Type A-3N2 Beijing flu, plus Type B Panama and Type A Texas. MISHAP PROMPTS WATER WARNING: Chlorine-tainted water that was released from the Hollywood Reservoir following an equipment mishap led the California Department of Water and Power to warn Hollywood residents to avoid any contact with tap water. Customers who bought bottled water will be reimbursed. HOTLINE HELPS RIOT VICTIMS: Radio Korea and Pacific Bell announced a partnership Thursday to establish a Korean-language telephone hotline to help victims of the recent Los Angeles riots. Caller will be directed where to get assistance for food, clothing, shelter, medical care, transportation, check cashing and other general information. The number to call is (213) 955-6921. 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