Health Report

By Janice M. Horowitz

THE GOOD NEWS

INCREDIBLE EDIBLE Get vaccinated by eating veggies? Maybe one day. Scientists have bioengineered a potato to contain a protein that causes diarrhea. When subjects eat it, they develop antibodies to the diarrhea bug.

ON YOUR ROCKER Some seniors actually benefit from sitting in a rocking chair. For those with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, rocking 80 minutes daily seems to reduce anxiety and depression--and improve their sense of balance.

ABORTION OPTION New data on the controversial abortion pill RU 486: the first major U.S. study shows it succeeds in ending 92% of unwanted pregnancies if taken within 49 days of conception.

Sources: Nature Medicine; Eastern Nursing Research Society; New England Journal of Medicine

THE BAD NEWS

FAMILY SKELETONS More evidence that if your mother has osteoporosis, you may be at risk for it: researchers have found a mutation in a gene that codes for collagen (the tough fibrous protein in skin and bone), which could predispose women to the bone-weakening ailment.

BACK OUT OF JOINT For years doctors figured lower-back pain goes away in six weeks. But a study finds 75% of patients still have symptoms a year later--they just stopped telling the docs.

GET PHYSICAL? Seniors are encouraged to exercise, but they pay a price: sports injuries among the 65-plus set have risen 54% since 1990. One perilous activity: roller blading.

Sources: New England Journal of Medicine; British Medical Journal; Consumer Product Safety Commission

--By Janice M. Horowitz