Newsbriefs Medical News ----------------------------------------------------------------- Time factor explored with whiplashes Researchers may be making progress against whiplash, a complex and often litigated syndrome involving physical and psychological factors. A recent study in the journal Medicine found that 82 percent of whiplash injuries disappear with little or no treatment within six months. Those patients reporting long-term pain generally were older, had more headaches and osteoarthritis before the accident and reported more neck pain immediately after the accident. While specific injuries cannot yet be identified in these patients, the study suggests that a careful physical exam, patient history and X-rays can predict who will have long-term problems, said Donlin Long, chairman of Neurosurgery. "It's important to remember this is a real condition," Long said. "But for the first six months, the only treatment needed may be simply making the patient comfortable to reduce pain and muscle spasm." ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Muscle-strengthening exercises helpful in MS Muscle-strengthening exercises may offer physical and psychological benefits to people with multiple sclerosis, according to two studies in which Hopkins researchers have participated. Eight patients with mild to severe multiple sclerosis underwent 12 weeks of a weight-training program called progressive resistive exercise to strengthen their arms and legs. All the patients significantly improved their strength, mobility, walking speed, stair climbing and agility, and reported feeling better physically and psychologically after the training sessions. "We concluded that progressive resistive exercise improves the performance of common daily activities in these people," said Barbara de Lateur, a study co-author and director of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Hopkins. "It has a positive impact on their psychosocial, physical and overall well-being, and the risks are minimal compared to the benefits." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Other News ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hopkins athletics starts information hotline Students, alumni, parents and fans of Johns Hopkins athletics can now keep up with the Blue Jays by phoning the newly created Johns Hopkins Sports Hotline. Launched by the Office of Sports Information, the hotline can be accessed 24 hours a day by calling (410) 889-6JHU. The hotline will present callers with a menu of options, including weekly varsity sports schedules, daily sports results and highlights, men's lacrosse schedule and ticket information, NCAA lacrosse information, Athletic Center building hours and information, directions to Hopkins sporting events, media guide and publication information, and information about alumni athletic events. The hotline will be updated daily as results are received. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Homewood blood drive hopes to draw 900 units It's one of the simplest ways you can save a person's life. It's also not a bad way to get some free juice and cookies. The Homewood campus's 1996 Red Cross Blood Drive is Feb. 13-14, and this year more than ever the Red Cross needs our blood. "The Red Cross is desperate," said Peggy Jones, benefits specialist at the Office of Human Resources, who has chaired the Homewood Blood Drive since 1979. "Their shelves are getting empty. They had to cancel a lot of drives during the blizzard, and donations in general are falling for some reason. So it's very important that we make our goals in 1996." Although last year saw a 12 percent increase in blood donations over the prior year, the Homewood blood drive still fell short of its 1995 goal. Jones said that although it began with a strong attendance, by summer and fall, donations began dropping. She does not want history to repeat itself. This year, there will be raffles and prizes designed to entice the 240 people needed to make this year's blood drive goal of 900 units. Jones said another reason to donate blood is the Hopkins Blood Assurance Plan, which began in 1969 and automatically covers any Hopkins staff member's and their dependents' need for blood at no cost to the recipient except for the cost of blood processing. If you want to donate blood this month but are short on time, the Office of Human Resources is taking appointments prior to the Feb. 13 drive. In a departure from the past, those who make appointments will be taken at the time of their appointment, before walk-ins. That will keep the lines moving more quickly throughout the day, Jones said, and busy employees and students won't have to make large allowances of time while they wait to be seen by a Red Cross worker. The hours of the Blood Drive are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 14 in the Glass Pavilion. There will also be drives in April, July, September and November. To make an appointment, call (410) 516-8039. -----------------------------------------------------------------