From Iowa farms to a Texas Army base, this week's news touches on many topics. The federal government continues investigations into infected chicken eggs that have sickened more than 1,300 Americans. The nation's largest Army base is overtaxed by soldiers who need mental health counseling and other treatment. For the first time, researchers have coaxed a human cornea to heal itself. A mouse study shows that a common drug for rheumatoid arthritis may show promise in preventing Alzheimers disease.
Stay well.

This Issue:

In the News:

Egg Recall Affects Millions
More than 550 million eggs have been recalled after a salmonella outbreak. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has attributed more than 1,300 illnesses to the problem, USA Today reported on August 24. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating two farms in Iowa. So far, officials have not found potential problems at other chicken farms. The problems are increasing requests to Congress to pass stricter food-safety laws. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, general weakness, fever and abdominal pain.

Mental Health Needs Overwhelm Army Base
The Army base at Fort Hood, Texas provides more than 10,000 mental health evaluations, therapy sessions or referrals each month. USA Today wrote about the toll on Fort Hood's mental health system on August 23. The base is the largest in the country and has one of the largest mental health programs in the country, but it still is overtaxed. One in four soldiers here has had counseling during the past year. Army officials say that the mental health needs of soldiers are more extensive than predicted. And thousands of soldiers see counselors outside the system because they don't want the Army to know. Officials worry the problems may get worse.

Cornea, Heal Thyself
For the first time, scientists have coaxed a human cornea to heal itself, restoring vision. The Associated Press reported on the study August 25. Swedish researchers implanted a slice of collagen – the tissue that makes up a cornea – in the eyes of 10 people. Corneal cells started to grow, and so did nerves. Two years after the implants, six of the 10 had improved vision. Two others had vision that was no worse than before. In the United States, about 42,000 people get cornea transplants every year. But many countries don't have enough donated corneas to go around.

Arthritis Treatment May Help Alzheimers
Research on people with rheumatoid arthritis may have uncovered a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The New York Times News Service wrote about the research August 23. Scientists from the University of South Florida found that a protein called GM-CSF was found at high levels in people with rheumatoid arthritis. This protein prevented Alzheimer's symptoms in mice. GM-CSF is sold as a drug for cancer patients. It helps the body to make some types of immune system cells.

Used with the permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. The above summaries are not intended to provide advice on personal medical matters, nor are they intended to be a substitute for consultation with a physician.