Faculty Bibliography

After sitting in pieces in a jar for more than 40 years, Albert Einstein's brain could make yet another contribution to science. They say a key region in Einstein's brain -- a region that processes mathematical thought, three-dimensional visualization, spatial relationships and other mental processes -- was 15 percent wider on both sides than the same area in people with normal intelligence. Known as the inferior parietal lobe, the region is situated about the level of the ear, starting in the front of the brain and extending about two-thirds of the way back

Final results of an international study reported Tuesday show that a drug approved to fight the bone disease osteoporosis significantly decreased the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women. Women who took the drug, raloxifene, for three years lessened the risk of breast cancer by 76 percent compared with those who took a placebo, or dummy pill, in the study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Preliminary findings from the study were reported at a scientific meeting last year

Final results of an international study reported yesterday show that a drug approved to fight the bone disease osteoporosis significantly decreased the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women. Women who took the drug, raloxifene, for three years reduced the risk of breast cancer by 76 percent compared with those who took a dummy pill in the study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Preliminary findings from the study were reported at a scientific meeting last year. In treating breast cancer, doctors have long prescribed a related drug, tamoxifen, to block the action of the female hormone, estrogen, on breast tissue, where it can promote the growth of cancer. Last year the Food and Drug Administration approved tamoxifen as a cancer preventive for postmenopausal women at high risk of developing the disease

Final results of an international study reported Tuesday show that a drug approved to fight the bone disease osteoporosis significantly decreased the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women. Women who took the drug, raloxifene, for three years lessened their risk of breast cancer by 76 percent compared with those who took a placebo, or dummy pill, in the study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Preliminary findings from the study were reported at a scientific meeting last year

Final results of an international study reported Tuesday show that a drug approved to fight the bone disease osteoporosis significantly decreased the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women. Women who took the drug, raloxifene, for three years lessened the risk of breast cancer by 76 percent compared with those who took a placebo, or dummy pill, in the study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Preliminary findings from the study were reported at a scientific meeting last year. Scientists believe that raloxifene prevents estrogen-related breast cancers by occupying the same molecular receptor sites as the estrogen molecule on the surface of cells. Raloxifene blocks estrogen's cancer promoting effects on breast and endometrial tissue, and scientists have tested raloxifene in the hope it will be safer than tamoxifen. The National Cancer Institute is sponsoring a head- to-head trial of tamoxifen and raloxifene as breast cancer preventions among 22,000 women in 400 medical centers in the United States and Canada

In the wake of that decision, a host of other actions are now taking shape. Most visibly, top scientists and health experts are now calling for a Federal program to produce new vaccine to protect up to 100 million people in the United States -- enough, in theory, to stop any epidemic in its tracks. More quietly, American and Russian scientists hope to embark on studies to better understand the killer's ways in an effort to perfect a cure. And most stealthily of all, intelligence agencies are stepping up their efforts to better judge the threat of smallpox attacks. ''It's disturbing, extremely disturbing,'' said Dr. Donald A. Henderson, the scientist who led the global campaign that eradicated smallpox and now is dean emeritus of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. ''I thought the door had closed on smallpox. I had happily put it away.'' (Edward) Jenner dreamed of eliminating smallpox. But no serious efforts were made until the 20th century. As late as the 1930's, smallpox struck up to 50,000 people each year in the United States. The last case occurred in 1949 in Hidalgo County, Texas. Although Jenner had used cowpox virus, a third virus, vaccinia, became the standard vaccine against smallpox. Experts say vaccinia is related to the smallpox and cowpox viruses, but its origin is a major scientific mystery

Far-fetched as this may seem, our antibiotics are fast becoming useless in fighting even the most-common infections. Just think what this means to you: Without effective antibiotics to battle those 50,000th-inch-long single-cell organisms, common scrapes, urinary- tract infections and sore throats will often lead to serious long- term complications and possibly death. Vaccines that are being developed are our only promising therapy. In a nutshell, antibiotic resistance means that bacteria, the tricky, fast-reproducing microorganisms, have found ways to resist our most-powerful drugs. This should not come as a surprise. Within four years after the widespread introduction of penicillin in 1943, bacteria began appearing that could resist it. And the more widely antibiotics are prescribed around the world, the easier it is for germs to find ways to mutate and become resistant to medication. And to spread. This has left us with dozens ofineffective, worthless - but expensive - drugs

Oshinsky reviews "Freedom From Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945" by David M. Kennedy

Two weeks ago the music manager strenuously denied reports that he flew into a rage at the blockbuster Awards in Los Angeles upon learning that his headlining client, Jennifer Lopez, had been given a smaller dressing room than fellow performers 'N Sync - and expressed his displeasure..