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Journalism of Courage
Women often choose mastectomy: Study
Despite having the option of less aggressive surgery, nearly one-third of women who had a choice between mastectomy and lumpectomy chose the more invasive operation, doctors reported on Friday. A national team of scientists led by researchers at the University of Michigan found that when women made the choice without a physician8217;s influence, a significant percentage chose mastectomy.
Study participants who said their surgeons made the treatment choice were more likely to have received less aggressive operations.
In all, 1,822 women in Los Angeles and Detroit were studied. Scientists said the population reflected breast cancer patients nationwide. Researchers found that 30.2 percent chose mastectomy.
Thirty years ago, advocates for breast cancer patients fought for the medical community to study the benefit of less invasive surgery. Subsequent research proved that lumpectomy plus six weeks of radiation was equal to mastectomy for a majority of women with early-stage breast disease.
Apple to build a better Mouse
Rejoice, all ye Macintosh folk who have abandoned The Right Click. Mighty Mouse has arrived. Not an animal, or a cartoon, but the latest treat from Apple: billed as a better mouse in which the cultish computer company finally capitulates to convention.
The bar-of-soap-ish Mighty Mouse, while it maintains Apple8217;s signature top-shell configuration, now has touch-sensitive technology 8212; sensors under the shell 8212; that allows not only programmable buttons but also a two-button, right-or-left-clicking functionary, a first for an Apple mouse.
More intriguing is Apple8217;s version of the scroll wheel in Mighty. The Scroll Ball is a really small circular thing positioned to sit under the index fingertip. School Ball allows 360 degrees of access, or movement 8212; vertically, horizontally and diagonally 8212; within a window or desktop. It8217;s a bit skittish in operation and requires some practice to use smoothly.
The bottom line: now Apple addicts have a dedicated tool that Windows users have had for years. Mighty Mouse, which attaches via a cable to the Mac8217;s SUB port no wireless version yet, is on sale now, premium priced at 49.
Companies to limit school drinks
Some of the fizz will disappear from beverage vending machines in schools across the United States in a move aimed at attacking childhood obesity by limiting the kinds of drinks sold to children.
The American Beverage Association 8212; which represents 20 companies that make up about 85 per cent of school beverage sales 8212; announced new guidelines Wednesday aimed at reducing consumption of drinks believed to contribute to childhood obesity.
Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. were among the beverage manufacturers that signed on to the guidelines 8212; which are not mandatory 8212; announced on Wednesday in Seattle. 8212;
Agencies
