The UC San Diego-led Collaborative Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) will investigate therapeutic strategies for a cure and functional cure of HIV. The CTU will also evaluate viral persistence and latent reservoirs, as well as new antiretroviral drugs and treatments for co-infections.
Hearing loss experts advocate for FDA regulation of over-the-counter hearing aids, citing barriers to access and the need for evidence-based products. The authors recommend premarket testing and clearer distinctions between hearing aids and wearable sound amplification products.
Researchers found that nursing faculty attitudes towards caring for people living with HIV/AIDS vary across countries, with Peru and Colombia showing more positive stigmas. The study highlights the need for stigma-reduction interventions to advance knowledge and attitudes of nursing staff in this area.
The ultra-low-cost LoCHAid device uses electronic filters to shape frequency response and is designed for easy manufacture and repair in low-income countries. It has the potential to provide sufficient value for users despite its limitations, particularly in comparison to luxury hearing aid options.
A new ultra-affordable hearing aid called LoCHAid has been developed to combat age-related hearing loss, costing just $0.98 per unit. The device is designed to be marketable over-the-counter and can be repaired by minimally skilled users, making it accessible to those in low- and middle-income countries.
Harvest aids accelerate natural processes to minimize trash, improve quality, and expedite harvesting. The timing of application is crucial, considering factors like labor availability, weather, and regional preferences.
A Commentary in AIDS Patient Care and STDs finds COVID-19 and HIV diagnoses decreasing as white population increases in US counties. Systemic racism is a key factor contributing to disparities in health outcomes among communities of color.
A new study identifies key steps toward establishing nurse- and midwife-led HIV services in eastern and southern Africa, including improved training, supportive supervision, and formal mentorship programs. The region has shown remarkable progress toward eliminating HIV, but challenges remain in providing effective antiretroviral therapy.
A commentary article exposes COVID-19 conspiracy theories linked to Dr. Judy Mikovits' fraudulent research, highlighting the dangers of such misinformation. The journal AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses has spoken out against the spread of false information on social media platforms.
A literature review suggests that depressive disorders in people with HIV/AIDS are vastly underdiagnosed and untreated. Evidence-based recommendations are available to improve assessment and management of these conditions, focusing on proper diagnosis, treatment, and addressing special challenges such as stigma and adherence.
A new HIV prevention drug, emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF), has been met with criticism for its high cost and limited benefits compared to generic alternatives. The study found that F/TAF is not cost-effective and may even cause more avoidable HIV transmissions than it prevents.
A promising new study by University of Melbourne researchers suggests that wearing hearing aids may delay cognitive decline in older adults. The study found significant improvements in executive function, working memory, and quality of life for participants aged 62-82 years with hearing loss.
A recent study suggests that wound healing in mucous tissues during early SIV infection may prevent disease progression and AIDS. The researchers found that African green monkeys, a natural host for HIV, quickly activate regenerative wound healing mechanisms in their mucosal tissue, interrupting the course of the disease.
A peer-reviewed commentary warns of widening HIV infection disparities among Hispanics/Latinos, with the highest increase seen in gay and bisexual men aged 25-34. The article advocates for targeted investment in stigma reduction, treatment accessibility, behavioral interventions, and community leadership engagement to address the crisis.
A study of 170 people living with HIV/AIDS in Turkey found that younger individuals, wealthier participants, and those working at diagnosis had higher employment rates. Illicit drug use, longer time since diagnosis, and low CD4 T cells counts were negatively associated with employment.
The NYDOH AIDS Institute awarded a 5-year, $1 million grant to the Health Education Alternatives for Teens Program (HEAT) at SUNY Downstate to provide essential health services for transgender and gender non-conforming youth. The grant will nearly triple the program's capacity to serve over 100 patients annually.
The AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR) has been renewed for 5 years with a $22 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The ACSR provides annotated HIV malignancy specimens to qualified researchers, supporting research into HIV-associated cancers.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults with newly diagnosed hearing loss who receive hearing aids have a lower risk of developing dementia, depression, and fall-related injuries compared to those who do not. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 115,000 Medicare beneficiaries, a...
A study of 114,862 older adults found that using hearing aids was linked to lower risks of Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and injurious falls. The risk of these conditions was 18-13% lower for those who used hearing aids compared to those who did not.
Researchers found a 1% average decrease in bone mineral density in the spine and 0.5% decline in hip among Truvada PrEP users with daily adherence. This lower-than-expected risk suggests that young, healthy individuals on Truvada for PrEP have only a minimal risk of decreased bone density.
Researchers from the University of Granada tested VINO's O2Amp Oxy-Iso glasses on 52 colour-blind individuals and found they do not improve colour vision but rather provide limited benefits for specific tasks like distinguishing certain colours or improving contrast in specific applications.
A new $10,000 federal grant will provide bilingual training on suicide and HIV/AIDS prevention to community health workers in rural New Mexico. The goal is to increase knowledge and raise awareness about these public health issues among Hispanic/Latino populations.
The University of Miami has established a new center, CHARM, to study mental health disparities and curtail the local HIV/AIDS epidemic. The center aims to address behavioral factors that perpetuate the disease, particularly in poor and marginalized communities.
A new study reveals striking variation in HIV prevalence across African countries, with some areas experiencing over a 5-fold difference in numbers of people infected. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address persistent high infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
A new brain-controlled hearing aid technology developed by Columbia engineers can identify and amplify the correct speaker in a crowded environment. The device uses artificial intelligence to monitor wearers' brain waves and boost the voice they want to focus on, solving the 'cocktail party problem' that modern hearing aids struggle with.
Researchers found that populations with high HIV/AIDS prevalence are more susceptible to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections due to frequent antibiotic use. This increases the risk of drug-resistant diseases, posing a serious public health threat worldwide.
Researchers explore link between bacterial vaginosis and HIV transmission in women, highlighting importance of standardized diagnosis and testing. The study aims to standardize discussions around BV clinical and research findings, shedding light on the microbial make-up of the vagina and its impact on HIV acquisition.
A new study by researchers from The Dartmouth Institute found that only a few patient decision aids are available for seriously ill patients near death, and their quality is varying. The tools were designed for specific conditions or life-sustaining treatments but lacked general treatment approaches.
Researchers found that chimpanzees' highly variable CD4 receptors block HIV and SIV entry into cells. This natural defense mechanism could inform the development of more effective HIV vaccines.
A study of 1,133 Medicare participants found that lower-income individuals with hearing aids face significant barriers to accessing hearing care services. Only 58% of high-income users received such services in the prior year, highlighting the need for expanded coverage and easier access.
The study reviewed comprehensive AIDS prevention programs in prisons, which have been shown to increase prisoners' awareness of AIDS and reduce HIV transmission. These programs also promote the use of condoms, improve healthcare access, and decrease the risk of disease transmission.
Researchers argue that the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive approach, building on lessons from the AIDS epidemic. A five-point action plan is proposed to address cultural, social, economic, and structural barriers to care.
A study published in Geriatrics found that 3D-printed adaptive aids for arthritis patients can offer significant cost savings, with some items costing as little as 45 cents. The customized designs can also improve the quality of life for these individuals, enabling them to perform daily tasks independently.
Nurses can collect and analyze data using smartphone applications, leading to improvements in data quality and better health outcomes for patients with HIV/AIDS. A larger selection of apps is needed to scale up mHealth innovations and combat the pandemic.
A new study published in The Lancet HIV indicates that HIV-2 is more pathogenic than previously demonstrated, with a slower but identical progression to AIDS as HIV-1. Early treatment is recommended for all patients with HIV-2, despite current WHO guidelines only offering treatment to those with HIV-1.
Researchers at USC and the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program found that 15- to 39-year-olds have the best survival rate among any age group for many years. The analysis adjusted for Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphomas, which were linked to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the US.
Cognitive decline was slowed after patients underwent cataract surgery and adopted hearing aids. The rate of decline was halved following cataract surgery and 75% less following the adoption of hearing aids, according to researchers at the University of Manchester.
HIV/AIDS research has led to significant advances in heart disease, hepatitis, and cancer. Scientists have better understood the vital role of CD4+ T cells in thwarting other infectious diseases and certain cancers.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers suggests that HIV RNA expression inhibitors can diminish atypical inflammation and restore immune function in HIV-infected individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Chronic viral infection leads to immune activation, causing non-AIDS complications such as cardi...
The study found that provinces receiving high PEPFAR funding experienced significant reductions in infant mortality, saving the lives of many Kenyan children. However, the effectiveness of the program varies across countries and regions with different HIV prevalence rates.
Researchers have identified a new class of antibodies that can protect against HIV-1 infection, using an animal model to show its effectiveness. The study found that IgM antibodies were able to prevent the virus from crossing the mucosal barrier, offering a potential breakthrough for AIDS prevention and treatment.
The International Antiviral Society-USA has updated its recommendations for treating, preventing HIV infection, emphasizing advances in prevention and treatment. The new guidelines cover initiating therapy, monitoring individuals starting therapy, changing regimens, and preventing HIV infection for those at risk.
The HIV pandemic is not on track to end by 2030 and current approaches are insufficient. A new Lancet Commission calls for collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to win the global fight against HIV.
A national study reveals significant gaps in hearing aid use among Americans over 55, with non-Hispanic whites, college-educated individuals, and those with higher incomes more likely to have a hearing aid. The cost of hearing aids is a major barrier, but having VA insurance coverage levels the playing field.
Researchers found that long-term viral suppression significantly reduces cancer risk in aging HIV-positive individuals, with lower rates seen in patients with sustained suppression compared to those with early or no suppression. The study highlights the importance of viral suppression in preventing cancer and may inform strategies for ...
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that financial incentives significantly improve smoking cessation rates, with free e-cigarettes and cessation aids offering no additional benefit. The study enrolled over 6,000 participants and found that those receiving financial rewards remained smoke-free for at leas...
A research team led by Professor Chen Zhiwei at HKU invented a single gene-encoded tandem broadly neutralizing antibody, BiIA-SG, which displays potent activity against all genetically divergent global HIV-1 strains tested. The new findings show that BiIA-SG prevents diverse live viral challenges completely in humanized mice.
A new study finds that older adults with severe hearing loss who use hearing aids are less likely to visit the hospital or emergency room, despite high costs of the devices themselves. The association is significant, even considering factors such as income and education level.
A 20-year Quebec study reveals socio-economic inequalities impact access to AIDS treatment, with HIV-infected individuals on social assistance struggling to initiate early ART. The study highlights the need to consider socio-economic factors in controlling the HIV epidemic, as delayed access can put patients' health at risk.
A new study by IHME found that global spending on HIV/AIDS peaked at $49.7 billion in 2013 and reached a total of $562.6 billion between 2000 and 2015. Governments accounted for the majority of funding, with development assistance making up 30% of total spending.
The US government has renewed funding for UC San Diego's Center for AIDS Research, supporting continued studies of HIV/AIDS. The five-year, $15 million grant will focus on finding a cure for HIV in those already infected and preventing transmission to uninfected individuals.
A study found racial disparities in HIV control exist even when patients have equal access to care, with differences attributed to adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy. Black veterans had higher viral loads than white counterparts, highlighting a critical issue in healthcare disparities.
Three NIDA Avant-Garde Award recipients will receive funding to investigate natural killer cell targeting, therapeutic dendritic cell vaccines, and a new platform for HIV-1 vaccine development. These innovative approaches aim to enhance the immune response against HIV in drug users.
A recent study has confirmed that the spleen acts as an HIV sanctuary, hiding the virus from detection even when antiretroviral therapy is effective. Researchers also explore natural products with therapeutic compounds and gather insights on people living with HIV's perceptions of cure-related research.
The United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has saved millions of lives since its inception in 2003. PEPFAR-funded programs have delivered antiretroviral therapy to over 13 million people, prevented 2.2 million perinatal HIV infections, and supported vulnerable children impacted by HIV.
Researchers adapt HIV/AIDS treatment-cascade model to combat rheumatic heart disease in sub-Saharan Africa, finding that patients facing distance barriers have lower continuation rates. The study shows that decentralizing care and providing more staff, funding, and resources per capita at regional sites can increase patient retention.
The study provides the first atomic description of the herpes virus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, allowing scientists to identify specific targets for antiviral therapies. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for both KSHV and Epstein-Barr viruses.
A team of scientists led by Guido Silvestri at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center has sequenced the sooty mangabey genome, revealing clues that may help people infected with HIV. The study found two key differences in proteins of the immune system that may contribute to the mangabeys' resistance to AIDS.
The article highlights the lessons learned from past infectious disease outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS and SARS, to inform current responses to emerging threats such as Zika. The NIAID Director emphasizes the importance of sustained support for scientific research and effective communication with policymakers and communities.
Researchers developed a brain-training audiogame that improved elderly people's ability to understand words in noisy situations by 25%. The training was more effective than traditional hearing aids alone and showed lasting benefits.