Science digest 04/14/02

Drug shows promise in preventing lung cancer

SAN FRANCISCO -- A pill long used around the world to treat dry mouth may help protect against lung cancer in lifelong smokers, a study found.

The drug appears especially promising for former smokers, who still face a higher-than-usual risk of lung cancers years after they quit.

The preliminary study, released last week, found that the medicine reduced the risk of new or worsening precancerous growths in the lungs of longtime smokers by about 22 percent during six months of use.

Experts say large-scale testing will be necessary to show that the approach truly lowers the risk of lung cancer, but they say the latest findings make biological sense.

The drug, made by the French company Solvay Pharma, is not available in the United States. It is sold in Canada, Europe, China and other countries as Sialor or Sulfarlem and has been on the market for 30 years.

Fish oil can help prevent heart disease deaths

CHICAGO -- Women can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease by eating fish at least twice a week, researchers say in a study that found benefits similar to those previously seen in men.

It is one of three studies published last week bolstering evidence that fish oil is good for the heart.

The study of almost 85,000 women found those who ate fish two to four times weekly cut their risk of heart disease by 30 percent, compared with women who rarely ate fish. Women who ate fish five or more times weekly reduced their risk 34 percent.

Past studies showed similar benefits for men, but this was the first to look specifically at the effect in women, lead researcher Dr. Frank Hu said.

"It was very important to confirm that the beneficial effects of fish are also tied to women," said Hu, assistant professor of nutrition in the Harvard School of Public Health.

The findings add to the rapidly growing evidence of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, which are especially plentiful in dark, oily fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines.

Scientists discover new species of whale

VERNON, Calif. -- Scientists have discovered a new species of whale, a startling find made through DNA analysis of some of the marine mammals that washed ashore in California over the past three decades.

The 13-foot beaked whales, named to reflect their pointy snouts, were previously lumped together with another species found in Australia and New Zealand.

Genetic analysis of the five known whale specimens indicates they represent a species distinct from their southern Pacific cousins, despite their similar appearance.

The new whale becomes the 21st species of beaked whale to be described scientifically.

The elusive beaked whales are among the least-studied of all mammals. They live in deep water, diving to great depths in pursuit of squid and other prey. The whales are marked by their near-total lack of teeth. In some species, only adult males have teeth, and then just two, which they use as tusks to spar.

Survivors often in dark about childhood cancer

CHICAGO -- Survivors of childhood cancer often do not know enough about their diagnosis and treatment to help prevent related health problems as adults, a study suggests.

None of the 635 childhood cancer survivors studied could provide an accurate detailed summary of their medical history, including the type of cancer, the drugs administered or the exact site of any radiation therapy.

In fact, 3 percent did not know whether they had ever even had cancer.

Children are often too young to know or remember their exact diagnosis and treatment, or their parents may shield them from the details, researchers said.

The findings are worrisome because childhood cancer survivors -- more than 70 percent now reach adulthood -- run the risk of heart, endocrine or reproductive problems, or new cancers because of their previous disease and treatment.

-- From wire reports