Archive for March 31st, 2012
Survey: Lupus patients often downplay pain
March 31st, 2012 | 
Author: Lupus patients often downplay pain and other symptoms to their physician and family and friends, a U.S. survey indicates.
The survey of 1,000 adults conducted by Roper indicated 87 percent of those diagnosed with lupus report playing down symptoms to their families, while 52 percent said they minimized symptoms to their doctor.
However, 72 percent of physicians surveyed said they did not think their patients minimized symptoms.
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Getting to Know the Goldilocks Planet
NASA's Kepler spacecraft is discovering a veritable avalanche of alien worlds. Recent finds include planets with double suns, massive "super-Earths" and "hot Jupiters," and a miniature solar system. The variety of planets circling distant suns is as wonderful as it is surprising.
As the numbers mount, it seems to be just a matter of time before Kepler finds what astronomers are really looking for: an Earth-like planet orbiting its star in the "Goldilocks zone"—that is, at just the right distance for liquid water and life.
"I believe Kepler will find a 'Goldilocks planet' within the next two years," says Shawn Domagal-Goldman, a researcher at NASA HQ who specializes in exoplanet biology. "We'll be able to point at a specific star in the night sky and say 'There it is—a planet that could support life!'"
FDA to Big Tobacco: Show Us the Chemicals
Starting in June, makers of cigarettes and other tobaccos products will be required to report data on potentially harmful chemicals in their products to the FDA.
FDA Rejects BPA Ban
The FDA has reportedly denied a petition from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to ban the plasticizing agent bisphenol A (BPA) from food packaging.
According to an Associated Press report, the agency found that the NRDC didn't provide enough scientific evidence to justify a complete ban of the chemical, which ignited public concern in 2008 after being found in baby bottles, soup cans, and other food items.
Canada declares BPA toxic, sets stage for more bans
Canada has declared bisphenol A a toxic chemical, prompting calls for far-reaching curbs on the industrial chemical that is used in everything from the linings of aluminum cans to coatings on electronic till receipts.