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Dear Biomch-L readers,
THe following items were extracted from the most recent MedNews file. As I
shall be traveling in the near future, please do not send any email to me
until about mid-September. Any Biomch-L management queries can be sent to
Ton van den Bogert .
With kind regards -- Herman J. Woltring, Eindhoven/Netherlands.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Excerpted from: file HICN329 NWS at LISTSERV@ASUACAD.BITNET
Medical News
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Medical News for July 30, 1990 to August 13, 1990
Copyright 1990: USA TODAY/Gannett National Information Network
HAND WEIGHTS ENHANCE WORKOUT:
Hand-held weights give runners a better aerobic workout, according to
University of Pennsylvania researchers. They say runners can obtain maximum
benefits by pumping the weights to shoulder height rather than simply carrying
them at their sides. When the runners lifted the weights to shoulder height
with each stride, they increased their oxygen expenditure by 40 percent.
NERVE ATLAS WOULD HELP SURGEONS:
Doctors at Washington University in St. Louis are working on the tedious
task of matching and reconnecting nerve fibers properly. They have begun
computerized mapping of the twists of each fiber in the median nerve, which
controls movement of most of the hand. The atlas of nerves' cross-sections
would allow surgeons to match severed fiber ends and restore sensation and
function to patients.
CHILDREN NOT WEARING HELMETS:
More than 90 percent of 230 children hospitalized for bicycle injuries were
not wearing helmets, say researchers from Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
More than 900 children die each year from bike injuries, 75 percent of them
from head injuries; thousands more are permanently injured. Only New York and
California mandate children use bike helmets, and both apply only to those
under 4.
NATURAL DEATHS DOWN 90 PERCENT:
The adolescent death rate due to natural causes fell 90 percent in the past
50 years, according to a report by the American Medical Association. In 1933,
natural causes accounted for more than twice as many deaths as violence or
injury, the AMA report says. But by 1985, the opposite was true. Violence and
injury now account for three-fourths of all adolescent deaths each year.
LACK OF SUN CAUSES DEFICIENCY:
Older people who do not get enough sun are at risk of being vitamin D
deficient, according to Boston University School of Medicine researchers. A
study of 50 residents in a nursing home showed that 80 percent of them were
deficient in vitamin D by the end of winter. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium
and ensure bone strength. Sunshine causes the vitamin to be synthesized in the
skin.
EXERCISE MENTALLY HELPS ELDERS:
Older individuals - even as old as 80 years and above - can benefit
psychologically from weight training exercises, according to recent medical
reports. People with a healthy body generally have a healthy attitude. And
performing a regular workout routine or exercise schedule can relieve the
boredom or depression sometimes associated with retirement.
FIREFLIES' LIGHT HELPS RESEARCH:
The cool white light fireflies emit is making the little bugs valuable. The
light contains luciferin and luciferase, two rare chemicals used in research
on cancer, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and heart disease. Catch enough
fireflies and the Sigma Chemical Company in St. Louis will buy them for $1
each.
FREE TIPS FOR OLDER ADULTS:
For a free booklet geared toward older adults, write the Parker Jewish
Geriatric Center, Community Services Dept., 271-11 76th Ave., New Hyde Park,
N.Y. 11042. Health tips cover nutrition, exercise and how to avoid falls.
BRACE HELPS BONE DEFORMITIES:
A Soviet-developed brace to lengthen broken bones is being used to correct
bone deformities. Dr. Gary Tebor of Rochester, N.Y., used the Ilizarov
External Fixator to correct a severely bowed left leg. The brace - placed
surgically - is made of metal rings which are fastened around the outside of
the limb and connected to wires. Most deformities take six to eight weeks to
heal.
ESTROGEN CURBS HIP FRACTURES:
Potent estrogen therapy cuts the risk of hip fractures in half during the
first 10 years after menopause, according to a report in the Annals of
Internal Medicine. Women given a combination of estrogen and progesterone
suffered far fewer hip fractures during falls than women who took less potent
estrogens, Swedish researchers found.
WEIGHT TRAINING MOST POPULAR:
Weight training is the most popular fitness activity, according to a Gallup
poll in Idea Today magazine. Thirty-three percent of respondents do weight
training; 20 percent do low-impact aerobics and walking; 15 percent run; and
12 percent bike. Other findings: The average fitness consumer most often works
out for his/her health, not for looks.
THe following items were extracted from the most recent MedNews file. As I
shall be traveling in the near future, please do not send any email to me
until about mid-September. Any Biomch-L management queries can be sent to
Ton van den Bogert .
With kind regards -- Herman J. Woltring, Eindhoven/Netherlands.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Excerpted from: file HICN329 NWS at LISTSERV@ASUACAD.BITNET
Medical News
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Medical News for July 30, 1990 to August 13, 1990
Copyright 1990: USA TODAY/Gannett National Information Network
HAND WEIGHTS ENHANCE WORKOUT:
Hand-held weights give runners a better aerobic workout, according to
University of Pennsylvania researchers. They say runners can obtain maximum
benefits by pumping the weights to shoulder height rather than simply carrying
them at their sides. When the runners lifted the weights to shoulder height
with each stride, they increased their oxygen expenditure by 40 percent.
NERVE ATLAS WOULD HELP SURGEONS:
Doctors at Washington University in St. Louis are working on the tedious
task of matching and reconnecting nerve fibers properly. They have begun
computerized mapping of the twists of each fiber in the median nerve, which
controls movement of most of the hand. The atlas of nerves' cross-sections
would allow surgeons to match severed fiber ends and restore sensation and
function to patients.
CHILDREN NOT WEARING HELMETS:
More than 90 percent of 230 children hospitalized for bicycle injuries were
not wearing helmets, say researchers from Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
More than 900 children die each year from bike injuries, 75 percent of them
from head injuries; thousands more are permanently injured. Only New York and
California mandate children use bike helmets, and both apply only to those
under 4.
NATURAL DEATHS DOWN 90 PERCENT:
The adolescent death rate due to natural causes fell 90 percent in the past
50 years, according to a report by the American Medical Association. In 1933,
natural causes accounted for more than twice as many deaths as violence or
injury, the AMA report says. But by 1985, the opposite was true. Violence and
injury now account for three-fourths of all adolescent deaths each year.
LACK OF SUN CAUSES DEFICIENCY:
Older people who do not get enough sun are at risk of being vitamin D
deficient, according to Boston University School of Medicine researchers. A
study of 50 residents in a nursing home showed that 80 percent of them were
deficient in vitamin D by the end of winter. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium
and ensure bone strength. Sunshine causes the vitamin to be synthesized in the
skin.
EXERCISE MENTALLY HELPS ELDERS:
Older individuals - even as old as 80 years and above - can benefit
psychologically from weight training exercises, according to recent medical
reports. People with a healthy body generally have a healthy attitude. And
performing a regular workout routine or exercise schedule can relieve the
boredom or depression sometimes associated with retirement.
FIREFLIES' LIGHT HELPS RESEARCH:
The cool white light fireflies emit is making the little bugs valuable. The
light contains luciferin and luciferase, two rare chemicals used in research
on cancer, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and heart disease. Catch enough
fireflies and the Sigma Chemical Company in St. Louis will buy them for $1
each.
FREE TIPS FOR OLDER ADULTS:
For a free booklet geared toward older adults, write the Parker Jewish
Geriatric Center, Community Services Dept., 271-11 76th Ave., New Hyde Park,
N.Y. 11042. Health tips cover nutrition, exercise and how to avoid falls.
BRACE HELPS BONE DEFORMITIES:
A Soviet-developed brace to lengthen broken bones is being used to correct
bone deformities. Dr. Gary Tebor of Rochester, N.Y., used the Ilizarov
External Fixator to correct a severely bowed left leg. The brace - placed
surgically - is made of metal rings which are fastened around the outside of
the limb and connected to wires. Most deformities take six to eight weeks to
heal.
ESTROGEN CURBS HIP FRACTURES:
Potent estrogen therapy cuts the risk of hip fractures in half during the
first 10 years after menopause, according to a report in the Annals of
Internal Medicine. Women given a combination of estrogen and progesterone
suffered far fewer hip fractures during falls than women who took less potent
estrogens, Swedish researchers found.
WEIGHT TRAINING MOST POPULAR:
Weight training is the most popular fitness activity, according to a Gallup
poll in Idea Today magazine. Thirty-three percent of respondents do weight
training; 20 percent do low-impact aerobics and walking; 15 percent run; and
12 percent bike. Other findings: The average fitness consumer most often works
out for his/her health, not for looks.