A Sampling of Clips for 
August 12, 2004

* UCSD faculty and staff may obtain a copy of an article by e-mailing the University Communications Office

Kawasaki Disease Often Missed in Kids
Forbes, Aug. 11-Many pediatricians fail to diagnose Kawasaki disease in children younger than 6 months and older than 8 years, an oversight that can lead to potentially fatal coronary problems later. University of California, San Diego, researchers report the finding in the Aug. 10 issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. (Quote by Jane Burns M.D., a professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego.)
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2004
/08/11/hscout520572.html

Firms Draw Criticism for Selling Ultrasound Memories to Parents
Associated Press, Aug. 11-The world of commercial children's photography has entered the womb, thanks to advanced ultrasound technology. Fetal Fotos in Thornton opened in 2002, and First View Ultrasound opened in Denver in April. Critics such as the Food and Drug Administration and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology attack the practice on two fronts. They say ultrasounds may not be harmless, so why subject a fetus to them unnecessarily? They also argue that commercial sonographers lack the expertise to diagnose real problems and thus offer mothers a false sense of security. The FDA can't stop it because the agency regulates manufacturers, not retailers. (Refers to current research conducted by the University of California, San Diego.)
* No link available online.

Double-Lung Transplant Gives Man Second Breath of Life
San Diego Channel 10, Aug. 11-A man with cystic fibrosis got a double-lung transplant and is living disease free. Federico Caram, battled cystic fibrosis for all of his life. However, a couple of months ago, Caram got a second chance at life after surgeons at UCSD transplanted a pair of donor lungs into him. (Quote by Gordon Yung M.D., a transplant specialist at University of California, San Diego.)
http://www.thesandiegochannel.com/health/3643724/detail.html

Scientists See Signs of El Nino, Raising Hopes for wet winter
Copley News Service, Aug. 11-Far out in the equatorial Pacific, beginning near New Guinea and shifting to 2,500 miles west of the Galapagos Islands, surface waters have been warming - a strong sign of a developing El Nino this winter. It is too early to tell how much rain may fall, but San Diego County would be thankful for any precipitation it can get. Amid a six-year drought, the region ended the last rainy season in May with 5.18 inches - less than half the normal amount. (Quote by Tim Barnett, a researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.)
* No link available online.

Price of Crude, Still Headed Up, May Take Toll on World Economy
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug. 12- As worldwide oil prices hover near their all-time highs this week, economists are increasingly concerned they could disrupt the shaky global economy. (Quote by James Hamilton, a professor of economics at the University of California, San Diego.)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20040812-9999-1n12oil.html

Jimson Weed, Desert Heat a Toxic Mixture
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug. 12-For centuries the plant has been known for its mind-altering properties. Jimson weed, a toxic member of the potato, or nightshade, family is common along roadsides, farm fields and in the deserts of Southern California. Now, investigators are looking into the possibility that Jimson weed caused the death of a local teenager. (Quote by Saralyn Williams M.D., assistant medical director for the San Diego division of the Poison Control System based at UCSD Medical Center.)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20040812-9999-1c12jimson.html

From Death, Another Chance at Life
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug. 12-A sucker punch thrown by an obnoxious drunk in front of a Poway bowling alley caused the death of a 31-year-old former Marine a year and a half ago. But Dave Govito's death saved the lives of at least three other people when his organs were donated to them. All three met yesterday with Govito's parents for the first time. The meeting took place at a news conference at the Mission Valley offices of Lifesharing, a division of UCSD Medical Center dedicated to the "life-saving and life-enhancing benefits of organ and tissue donation."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040812-9999-1mi12govito.html

Clinic Work Rewarding for its Staff
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug. 12-According to statistics from North County Health Services, 15 percent of San Diego County residents do not have health insurance, yet 85 percent of them are employed. The need for affordable health care is not a new problem in North County. But the Ramona Health Center is helping to remedy that problem by providing healthcare coverage to those who can pay little to nothing. The Ramona clinic was originally funded by the University of California, San Diego and by federal grants.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040812-9999-m1m12tfram.html