Warts up?
A recent review of over 50 scientific trials that was published this week in the British Medical Journal has determined that topical salicylic acid appears to be the best remedy for troublesome warts. There was also evidence for the use of dinitrochlorobenzene, but it was not definitive. Cryotherapy (which I am sure several readers have had to experience at least once during childhood) was not supported as an effective treatment. Simple and painless wart removal might yet be the way.
New Scientist reported yesterday that the US centers for Disease Control have determined the cause for at least three recent cases of West Nile Virus infection to have been via organ transplantation. A Georgia woman showing no symptoms of West Nile was injured in a car crash after which she was treated with 37 units of blood from 60 different people. She later died, and her organs were transplanted into the three recipients who shortly thereafter were diagnosed with the virus. It is possible that the woman was infected by a mosquito bite either not long before being injured or through a blood transfusion. It is also possible, although highly unlikely, that all three organ recipients were bitten by infected mosquitos. All sixty blood donors, as well as 12 additional blood transfusion recipients, are being tracked down for diagnostic purposes. Currently there is no test for West Nile virus infection prior to the appearance of symptoms. The US Food and Drug Administration has made the creation of such a test a top priority.
current science news posted by Kirsten at 9/05/2002 08:56:00 PM
McDONALD'S REDUCES TRANS-FATTY ACID
McDonald�s, the fast food chain, is changing the oil it uses to cook French fries, chicken nuggets, and Filets o� Fish, with a new oil which reduces the trans-fatty acid in its food. Trans-fatty acid has recently been argued as being worse for the body than saturated fats. While the new oil will cut trans-fatty acid by almost 50 percent, the total calories in an order of large fries will still be 540, and there will still be 26 grams of fat. The difference lies in the fact that the old fries had 9 grams of �bad� fat, but the new fries will have only 6 grams of �bad� fat. McDonald�s claims to be attempting to usher in an era of healthier fast food. Industry analysts are wary; the restaurant�s fries are widely considered the best around and this is taken very seriously be market watchers. If the reformulation of the fries were to make them taste different, it could affect McDonald�s sales. Of course, we are reassured that the taste will not change, and if the gamble proves successful, it would most likely force other large fast food chains to follow a similar path of reduced fat. This reporter hopes it pays off� they do have nice fries.
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current science news posted by ted at 9/05/2002 02:34:00 PM
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