The CDC reports one death and 18 hospitalizations after a New Year's Eve rave at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. The 24-year-old who died appeared to have suffered multiple drug intoxication, taking Ecstasy and cocaine there and injecting heroin afterward. Others had taken large doses of Ecstasy.
Rachel Stockton
Nutrition
Research Sheds Light on Early Alzheimer's
Ralph Nixon's team found that the gene mutated in early-onset Alzheimer's normally clears excess protein from brain cells, acting as a house-cleaning agent. Because the same damage shows up in every case, he says the finding could eventually help all Alzheimer's patients.
Lifestyle
Relationship Strife Hard on Men
Robin Simon and Anne Barrett report in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior that men suffer more during a relationship's rough patches and gain more from a good one, while women take breakups harder and are likelier to become depressed afterwards.
Miscellaneous
Coleman Photo Sold by Ex
Dion Mial, executor of Gary Coleman's estate, accuses the actor's former wife Shannon Price of peddling a deathbed photo now on the cover of Globe magazine. American Media confirmed buying it but not the price; investigators say there was no sign of foul play.
Cancer
Support After Breast Cancer Relapse Invaluable
Women who received emotional support plus relaxation and stress-reduction training after a breast cancer recurrence lived about six months longer than those without it, researchers say. The 227 participants, diagnosed at Stage II or III, also learned strategies for handling specific stressors.
Law & Regulations
CDC Critiques Surgical Centers
A CDC review of infection control at ambulatory surgery centers in Maryland, North Carolina and Oklahoma found 68 percent had at least one lapse: 46 percent mishandled blood glucose monitoring equipment and over 28 percent mishandled medications, even though staff knew they were watched.
Heart & Blood
Study Shows Height/Heart Health Link
A review of 52 papers covering 3 million patients found the shortest people in a population, under about 5 feet 3, were 1.5 times more likely to have heart problems than those 5 feet 9 and over. The authors stress modifiable risks matter more; smokers face four times the risk.
Nutrition
Report: FDA Needs More Power
An Institute of Medicine report says the FDA needs more power over the US food supply, where CDC counts 76 million illnesses a year. Recommendations include delegating food inspections to the states, and the report warns that more money without a prevention-focused vision would be futile.
Environment
Secondhand Smoke Linked to Sadness
Among 5,560 smokers and 2,995 nonsmokers, higher secondhand smoke exposure measured by saliva samples tracked with more psychological distress and hospitalization. Mark Hamer says the link may be causal and that the effect of smoking bans deserves study.
Miscellaneous
Study Shows PTSD/Dementia Link
Researchers followed 180,000 veterans for seven years; 31,000 had dementia by the end of 2007. Those with PTSD were 77 percent more likely to develop it, after adjusting for substance abuse and head injuries. Deborah Barnes cautions the association may not be causal.
Cancer
Cancer Drug Enables Immune System
Bristol-Myers Squibb's experimental ipilimumab, an engineered human protein, blocks a molecule that restrains the immune system. In Stephen Hodi's trial, 20 percent of advanced melanoma patients were alive two years on. Researchers say the right drug combination still needs working out.
Cancer
One Time Radiation Hit Promising
A nine-country study begun in 2000 compared a single dose of radiation after breast cancer surgery with a full daily course. After four years, recurrence risk was about the same. Researchers note the disease often returns after five years and plan to follow patients to eight.
Cancer
Big Tobacco Takes on NYC
Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard sued the New York City Board of Health over its rule requiring graphic anti-smoking posters near cigarette registers, calling it a First Amendment restriction on speech about a lawful product. The health department defends the posters as deterring teens.
Nutrition
FTC Investigates Kellogg Claim
The FTC, not the FDA, is pressing Kellogg over claims that Frosted Mini-Wheats improve kids' attentiveness by nearly 20 percent and that Rice Krispies “boost your child's immunity.” Its earlier order now bars any health claim the company cannot back with scientific evidence.
Miscellaneous
40% of Teens have had Sex
Forty percent of teenagers aged 15 to 19 have had sex, a share stable since 2002, and 79 percent of girls and 87 percent of boys report using some birth control, most often condoms or withdrawal. One in four boys and one in five girls say they would be pleased by a pregnancy.
Heart & Blood
Rue Mcclanahan Dead at 75
Actress Rue McClanahan, best known as Blanche Devereaux on Golden Girls, died at home at 75 after a massive stroke, her manager said. The piece lists stroke risk factors and warning signs such as sudden numbness, blurred vision and difficulty speaking.
Nutrition
Mediterranean Diet Reduces Wheezing
Ulm University researchers studying 50,000 children in 20 countries found those eating hamburgers three or more times a week were more likely to have asthma and wheeze. Cooked greens helped in poorer countries and fish in wealthier ones, while fruit protected children everywhere.
Law & Regulations
Study: Avandia Safe in Low Doses
A University of Toronto study in the Lancet reported that low-dose Avandia taken with another diabetes drug cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 66 percent in at-risk patients. Lead author Bernard Zinman said the study was not designed to test cardiovascular safety.
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