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Prostaglandins were first isolated from human semen in Sweden in the 1930s. They were so named because the researcher thought that they came from the prostate gland. In fact, prostaglandins exist and are synthesized in almost every cell of the body.
Drugs are in development that may cure asthma and hay fever once and for all. They target leukotrienes, which are known to cause tightening of the air passages in the lungs and increase mucus productions in nasal passages.
Asthma cases in Americans are about 75% higher today than they were in 1980.
Nearly 31 million adults in America have a total cholesterol level that is more than 240 mg per dL.
About 3% of all pregnant women will give birth to twins, which is an increase in rate of nearly 60% since the early 1980s.