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Science News for August 4, 1999


High HIV RNA levels major risk factor for mother-to-child HIV transmission

Researchers found that women with high HIV RNA levels in their blood transmitted the virus to their infants more often than those with low levels, highlighting the importance of treatment strategies aimed at reducing viral load. The studies also suggest that undetectable viral RNA levels can significantly reduce transmission risk.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 4, 1999

Electricity from microscopic snowballs

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics found that molecular clusters break up into positively and negatively charged fragments upon impact with any solid surface. They propose that neutral alkali atoms play a key role in charge separation, leading to the formation of separate ionic fragments.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 1999