Danielle George - All Headline News Staff Reporter

Danielle M

A recent study showed that nearly half of those patients who took the experimental drug Revlimid, showed little signs of the gene mutation which causes the disease. In other cases, the abnormality was completely eradicated.

Specialists are now saying the drug looks like the first effective treatment for people with the cancer

Two studies presented to a conference on autism help support other research that suggests that there are subtle differences in the immune function of children with autism.

Autism is a brain disorder usually seen as infants become toddlers. Affecting an estimated two to five out of every 1,000 children, autism has a spectrum of symptoms that include difficulty with social interaction and repetitive behaviors. There is no known cause of Autism

Recent study reveals that after the attack on September 11, 2001, New York City children suffer from anxiety or depression and are more succeptable to further mental stress if there are any future tragedies.

A survey of more than 8,000 children from the 4th to 12th grades found 29 percent suffered from one or more of six anxiety or depressive disorders six months after the hijacked plane attacks on the World Trade Center in which nearly 2,800 people died

New research indicates 7-percent of middle school girls and 5-percent of high school girls say they have used steroids at least once. The annual government-sponsored study says most girls who try performance-enhancing drugs want to get bigger and stronger, while some would like to lose weight and develop a more muscular physique. The report also indicates the same girls who have eating disorders are often the same ones who try steroids. Charles Yesalis, a professor of health and human development at Pennsylvania State University, says "There's been a substantial increase for girls during the 1990s, and it's at an all-time high right now." He says some girls start experimenting as early as age nine. Analysts say side effects from using male sex hormones can include smaller breasts, a deeper voice, irregular periods, severe acne, excess body hair and facial hair, "roid rage" (fits of anger), depression, and paranoia. Scientists say steroids also carry higher risks of some forms of cancer, stroke, and heart attack