Very long baseline interferometric observations made with an orbiting radio telescope.

An orbiting spacecraft and ground observatories have been used to obtain interferometric observations of cosmic radio sources. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) was used as the orbiting observatory in conjunction with two 64- meter radio telescopes at ground observatories, one in Australia and one in Japan. The quasars 1730-130 (NRAO 530), 1510-089, and 1741-038 were observed at a frequency of 2.3 gigahertz, and a maximum projected baseline of 1.4 earth diameters was achieved. All quasar observations for which valid data were acquired resulted in detected fringes. Many of the techniques proposed for a dedicated very long baseline interferometry observatory in space were used successfully in this experiment.

Hyperlipidemia. What to do when life-style changes aren't enough.

Most lipid abnormalities seen in a primary care practice can be grouped into three categories: hypercholesterolemia, combined hyperlipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. Three to 6 months of dietary and life-style alterations should be tried before drug treatment is initiated. Drugs for each category should be chosen on the basis of clinical efficacy, established long-term safety, and effects on low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. To maximize compliance, physicians should advise patients on dosing schedules, side effects, and required monitoring. Combination drug therapy is often necessary to reach treatment goals, especially in patients with genetic hyperlipidemia and/or symptomatic coronary artery disease.