THE NATION TODAY
Seven killer whales missing from sound
WASHINGTON
SEATTLE - Seven Puget Sound killer whales are missing and presumed dead in what could be the biggest decline among the sound's orcas in nearly a decade, scientists say. While the official census won't be completed until December, the total number of live orcas now stands at 83. Among those missing since last year's count are the nearly century-old leader of one of three pods, and two young females who recently bore calves. (AP)
ILLINOIS
Research confirms rheumatoid risk
CHICAGO - Rheumatoid arthritis nearly doubles the risk of having a heart attack within the first 10 years of diagnosis, Swedish researchers said yesterday. The research, to be presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting in San Francisco, confirms that rheumatoid arthritis raises the risk of heart attacks and suggests that this risk begins early on in the disease. (Reuters)
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Rotavirus vaccine cuts hospital stays
A vaccine against rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhea in infants, has led to a dramatic drop in hospitalization and emergency room visits since it came on the market two years ago, doctors reported yesterday. The vaccine seems to be preventing illness even in unvaccinated children by cutting the number of infections in the community. Results were reported yesterday at an infectious diseases conference in Washington. (AP)
Company touts new staph test
A company that harnesses bacteria-killing viruses said yesterday that it has devised a test that can detect dangerous staph infections within hours. The test detects Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in blood within five hours, Longmont, Colo., MicroPhage Inc. told a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. (Reuters)
Bush warns against free market curbs
President Bush said yesterday that despite diving stock markets and fears of global recession, now is not the time for nations to abandon open market policies. Bush used his weekly radio broadcast to address anxiety about the financial meltdown. The president called for patience and expressed confidence the economy would eventually rebound. (AP) 