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 Thu, Mar 19 1992 Date: Thu, 19 Mar 92 05:57:39 EST Message-ID: 03-19 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update March 19, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network CYSTIC FIBROSIS DRUG PROMISING: An experimental drug may fight lung congestion caused by cystic fibrosis, suggests research in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. The drug, called recombinant human deoxyribonuclease, is a copy of a molecule that breaks up mucus in lungs. If proven safe in further studies, the drug, manufactured by Crystal and Genentech Inc., may be available in two years, say researchers. HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE USE RISING: A new survey of 432 10th-grade boys finds 5% have used human growth hormone, a treatment for hormone-deficiency. The findings will be reported Saturday to the Society for Adolescent Medicine in Washington, D.C. Many teens believe HGH strengthens tendons and ligaments. Misuse can lead to abnormal bone growth, thyroid disorders and diabetes, says a University of Arkansas researcher. NERVE DISORDER CLUE FOUND: The discovery of a genetic mutation that causes clumsy and trembling movement in mice may lead to better understanding of human nerve disorders, say researchers at Stanford University Medical Center. In the current issue of Nature, researchers say the finding may lead to the discovery of human genes responsible for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and the rare Dejerine-Sottas disease. HIV ATTEMPTS UNSUCESSFUL: After failing to find HIV-infection among patients of Dr. David K. Hobart, who died of AIDS in 1989, University of Cincinnati Medical Center officials said Tuesday they would be unlikely to recommend such investigations again. The center spent eight months and nearly $300,000 to find and test patients of the Cincinnati doctor. Of 1,140 patients, 704 responded and 554 were tested. HEARTBURN TREATMENT STUDIED: A surgical procedure designed to prevent stomach acids from flowing back into the esophagus may prove a more effective treatment of severe and chronic heartburn, suggests a study by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Appearing in the March 19 New England Journal of Medicine, the study found that the surgery - a Nissen fundoplication - was more effective than medication. COMPANY TO DISCUSS IMPLANTS: Dow Corning plans to discuss its silicone gel breast implants Thursday at a news conference. A CNN report, which the company would neither confirm or deny, suggests that it may stop making the implants. Officials at Dow Corning, a joint venture between Dow Chemical and Corning Inc., have said they would consider selling the business, which accounts for 1% of overall revenue. MALE BIRTH CONTROL FINDING: Advances in contraception and male infertility could be just around the corner. University of California at San Francisco researchers have broken the genetic code to how a sperm binds to an egg and causes fertilization. The clue is the protein P-H-30, which sits on the head of the sperm. Experts say it could lead to male birth control vaccines and ways to increase male fertility. RADIATION TREPIDATION: Women who had breast cancer don't increase their risk of getting another tumor by undergoing radiation therapy, says a study in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers say fewer than 3% of second breast cancers can be attributed to radiation therapy. The study found an increased risk in those treated for breast cancer before age 45, but those women are few in number. TOY WARNINGS: Warning labels won't appear on toys with small parts that may be a chocking hazard for toddlers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted Wednesday. Staff experts had pushed for the warning labels and wanted to increase the minimum size of small balls. But the three voting commissioners couldn't determine the effectiveness of the proposed labeling. EXPERTS PUSH FRUITS, VEGETABLES: The USA isn't listening to health experts who advise eating vegetables. Studies show 90% of people don't eat a diet that includes three to five servings of vegetables a day. The National Cancer Institute has put together a "Five a Day for Better Health Program," which will try to get people to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day by the year 2000. HELP FOR SOME AIR TRAVELERS: Disabled air travelers can get information on their rights and trip-planning tips from a Department of Transportation booklet. For the free "New Horizons for the Air Traveler with a Disability," write: Consumer Information Center, Department 608-Y, Pueblo, Colorado, 81009. BROCHURE DETAILS STROKE RISKS: Symptoms, risk factors and how to lessen the chances of a stroke are covered in the free brochure, "Know the Warning Signs of Stroke." Write: Stroke Brochure, Syntex Labs, 3401 Hillview Ave., Palo Alto, Calif. 94303. 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