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Today's Globe: Brigham bias suit, schizophrenia risk, elders' longevity, asthma drug and suicide, Maryellen Miller, Ivan Toms

Posted by Elizabeth Cooney March 28, 2008 06:51 AM

Sworn statements from four employees who worked with the chief of neurosurgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital paint a picture of "an old boys' network that remains alive and well" in one of the nation's most prestigious hospitals, the lawyer for a surgeon contends in a sex discrimination lawsuit.

A new study has found that rare and previously undetectable genetic variations may significantly increase the risk that a person will develop schizophrenia.

Older Americans have more money and are expected to live far longer than prior generations, US government researchers said yesterday.

Merck & Co.'s Singulair may be linked to suicide and changes in mood and behavior, US regulators said yesterday in disclosing a review of the company's top-selling asthma drug.

Maryellen A. (Marcoux) Miller, a breast-cancer activist, died of the disease March 18 at her Holliston home. She was 45.

Ivan Toms, a South African doctor who played a key role in the campaign to end conscription of young white men to bolster apartheid security forces has died. He was 55.

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Elizabeth Cooney covers health for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. She previously reported on business and was an editor at the paper. Earlier in her career, she edited medical books and journals at Little, Brown, and worked for Boston magazine.

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