health ‘ science briefs

(MCT) WASHINGTON – Move over, Copernicus. Your once-revolutionary idea – that the Earth… (MCT) WASHINGTON – Move over, Copernicus. Your once-revolutionary idea – that the Earth revolves around the sun rather than the other way around – has been eclipsed.

Recent years have brought a sweeping new revolution in solar-system astronomy. The Earth still orbits the sun, as Copernicus declared 400 years ago, but the planetary system in the textbooks you studied is now out of date.

“The entire view of astronomy you learned in high school has changed dramatically,” said Alan Stern, NASA’s associate administrator for science.

Stern and other astronomers offered a revised description of the solar system at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science last month in Boston. Stern said it differed from the previous understanding in several major ways:

First, until recently, people thought that there were two parts to the solar system: four small, rocky inner planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars – and four gas, giant outer planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus. Then there was Pluto, a “lone misfit,” Stern said, with a highly eccentric orbit and a rakish tilt of its axis.

Under the new definition, the International Astronomical Union has officially recognized 11 planets: eight traditional ones plus three “dwarf planets.” The dwarfs are Pluto; Ceres, which was thought to be an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter; and Eris, an object that’s slightly larger than Pluto and farther from the sun.

At least 40 more dwarfs have been spotted even farther out and are awaiting official recognition. -By Robert S. Boyd, McClatchy Newspapers

(MCT) SAN JOSE, Calif. – Mention air pollution, and what comes to mind? Factories. Oil refineries. Auto tailpipes.

Now Bay Area smog regulators are trying to crack down on another source that they say is just as significant, even if beloved: home fireplaces.

Citing growing medical research that soot causes more severe health problems than was previously realized, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District is proposing a ban on all wood burning in fireplaces and wood stoves in the nine Bay Area counties during winter “Spare the Air” nights.

The agency’s statistics show that wood smoke is the largest source of particle pollution in the region. But its proposed crack down is sparking passionate debate.

If approved, fireplace police would enforce the rules, and neighbors would be encouraged to report neighbors.

“We understand a crackling fire is a long-held tradition of American family life,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district, based in San Francisco.

“But traditions need to be changed when there is information showing that our health and our neighbors’ health are impacted.”

The district will hold 10 public meetings in March and April on the draft rules.

Supporters compare wood smoke dangers to that of cigarette smoke, and note natural gas fires are much cleaner. Critics call the proposal bureaucracy run amok.

Elevated levels of soot can cause asthma attacks, heart problems and respiratory ailments. Santa Clara County, with the largest population, emits more particle pollution than any Bay Area county. -By Paul Rogers, San Jose Mercury News

(MCT) AKRON, Ohio – Modern technology is giving a whole new twist to the concept of house calls. Thanks to the Internet, some patients now have the option of getting medical care from their doctors without leaving the comforts of home.

At least two major national health insurers, Aetna and Cigna, recently started paying participating doctors for “virtual visits” with eligible patients.

Thousands of doctors nationwide have signed up to offer online appointments through a secure website, www.relayhealth.com/rh/default.aspx.

To check in for Internet-based appointments, patients log on to the site and then answer a series of questions based on their symptoms.

The information is later viewed by their doctor, who can ask more questions if necessary and then dispense medical advice online.

The service is reserved for established patients with minor health maladies, not those facing potentially life-threatening situations, said Dr. Elliot Davidson, medical director of the Akron General Center for Family Medicine, which offers the online appointments.

People with chest pain, for example, are immediately warned they need to call 911, not continue with the virtual visit.

On the other hand, Davidson said, mild upper-respiratory infections, back strains or urinary-tract infections all probably could be treated online, though followup appointments still might be necessary.

“You have to be careful that you’re not treating stuff … that you really should be seeing,” Davidson said. “There are very strong disclaimers in multiple places.”

When used appropriately, supporters say, online appointments can make health care more accessible and affordable. -By Cheryl Powell, Akron Beacon Journal