Despite progress in HIV treatment and prevention, a durable end to the pandemic may require an effective HIV vaccine. Existing tools such as antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis can effectively prevent HIV transmission and manage the disease.
Researchers from Kumamoto University developed a compound that suppresses viral budding, confining the virus within host cells and leading to cell death through apoptosis. This approach aims to eradicate latent HIV reservoirs, which are key to complete recovery from AIDS.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded UCLA a $5 million grant to create a resource center for researchers studying the effects of substance abuse on HIV/AIDS. The Collaborating Consortium of Cohorts Producing NIDA Opportunities will connect researchers with access to millions of pieces of research data and lab samples.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing explores the contextual social and structural factors that drive disparate HIV/AIDS rates. The study found nuanced differences by gender and race/ethnicity in modes of transmission profiles across different geographic locations.
A Massachusetts General Hospital analysis shows that achieving the treatment targets of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy by 2020 would prevent hundreds of thousands of new infections and deaths. Meeting NHAS goals would also demonstrate excellent value, with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $68,900 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY).
Lesotho achieves high viral load suppression rates, while Uganda's previously expanding epidemic stabilizes due to circumcision and treatment expansions. New US strategy aims to accelerate progress in high-burden countries by 2020
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to determine optimal prevention and treatment strategies for patients co-infected with cryptosporidiosis and HIV. The model shows significant positive impact of dual strategy on reducing both diseases.
The federal government does not require Medicaid to cover hearing aids, resulting in inconsistent coverage across states. Inconsistencies exist due to varying guidelines, with some states requiring moderate or greater hearing loss for coverage.
A University of Oklahoma professor finds that well-designed visual aids are beneficial for diverse people facing complex decisions, including physicians and patients. The study shows that visual aids increase the likelihood of deliberation and lead to more enduring changes in attitudes and behavioral intentions.
A study conducted in rapeseed fields found that nesting aids increased brood cells and attracted a variety of pollinator species. The availability of flowering plants and nesting sites is crucial for wild bee reproduction and diversity.
Researchers found that active users are more likely to be denialists, with a core group promoting denialist views and recruiting support through interactions. The study identified a high-risk group of over 1,000 users, including those who interact with the core and are influenced by their views.
Researchers have developed an animal model using cows to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV, which are difficult to achieve in humans. This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate the development of a more effective AIDS vaccine.
Researchers found that three of the OTC devices offered improvements in speech understanding comparable to a conventional hearing aid. However, one device demonstrated little improvement and another had worse results. The study's findings support efforts to make hearing aids more accessible through over-the-counter sales.
The NIH-funded Einstein-Rockefeller-CUNY Center for AIDS Research aims to prevent HIV transmission and develop a cure. The center will focus on behavioral science, clinical translation, biomarker discovery, and HIV vaccine development to improve population health outcomes.
A statistical analysis of HIV/AIDS interventions in South Africa reveals significant disparities between rural and urban areas. The study found that earlier access to interventions is crucial in rural areas due to cultural factors such as stigmatization.
A study published in the journal AIDS Care found that supportive housing programs significantly improve the health outcomes of previously homeless individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The research analyzed biometric data and showed a positive relationship between program stay length and viral suppression, highlighting the importance of st...
A new study models HIV incidence, prevalence, and mortality to determine feasible targets for ending the US AIDS epidemic. Achieving a reduction of 12,000 new infections by 2025 could mark an important turning point in the epidemic, with significant declines in HIV transmission rates and related deaths.
As the US HIV population ages, cancer incidence rates for AIDS-defining cancers are expected to decline due to effective treatment with modern antiretroviral therapies. However, frequencies of other cancers such as lung and prostate cancer are projected to increase.
A new program developed by Kari Lane at the University of Missouri has shown significant improvement in hearing aid wear time among older adults. The program, called Hearing Aid Reintroduction (HEAR), uses a systematically gradual approach to support adjustment to hearing aids, increasing wear time from one hour to 10 hours over 30 days.
A placebo-controlled trial shows that both audiology best practices and OTC models improve outcomes for older adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The study's findings have implications for better hearing healthcare for millions of Americans.
A small study of nine AIDS patients treated with traditional Chinese herbal medicine for over a decade resulted in undetectable or low viral loads, sparking potential interest in TCM as a functional cure. The findings suggest that these observations warrant further exploration by the HIV research community.
A study by Northwestern University found that delinquent youth are more likely to have multiple sexual partners and engage in unprotected vaginal sex with high-risk partners as they age. This risk is particularly pronounced among African American males, who are over four times more likely to have multiple partners.
A study investigated infectious disease mortality trends in the US from 1980 to 2014, revealing overall and infectious disease mortality decreased until 1995, then leveled off. The introduction of antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS led to a decline in overall and HIV/AIDS mortality rates.
A new study proves that Gaétan Dugas was one of many thousands infected in the years before HIV was recognized. The term 'Patient Zero' was created inadvertently in the earliest years of investigating AIDS, and Dugas's global defamation is attributed to this mistake.
Researchers reconstructed the origins of the AIDS pandemic in unprecedented detail by recovering genetic material from 40-year-old serum samples. The study suggests that HIV emerged in New York City around 1970 and spread rapidly across North America, with the city serving as a critical hub for the epidemic.
Researchers found HIV in brain, kidney, spleen & other tissues of treated patients with undetectable viral loads, suggesting continued disease progression. The study suggests that strategies to 'cure' HIV infection must consider targeting tissue-based sites of HIV.
Scientists at Binghamton University are developing a high-performance sensor to improve hearing aids, addressing limitations in microphone technology and noise understanding. The research aims to create more sensitive MEMS microphones for improved sound detection.
A new study reveals that some HIV-infected children control the virus by activating low levels of immune activation and producing potent antibodies. This differs from adults who develop AIDS despite effective antiretroviral therapy.
Researchers have developed a new approach to creating human vaccines against HIV using Kymouse, a genetically modified mouse that mimics human antibody responses. The study found that Kymouse can produce antibodies of the type needed for protection, suggesting ways to improve immunization regimes.
A research team at The Dartmouth Institute is conducting a three-year study to compare care with and without decision aids for women newly diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The study aims to show that using decision aids reduces anxiety, decision regret, and improves quality of life for patients.
A new study found that the rate of new HIV infections increased in 74 countries between 2005 and 2015, posing significant challenges to ending the AIDS pandemic. Despite progress in lowering AIDS mortality, the pace of decline in new infections has slowed, with only a 0.7% drop per year between 2005 and 2015.
Researchers from UCLA have discovered a type of cell called chimeric antigen receptors that can be used to kill HIV-infected cells. CARs are artificially created immune T cells engineered to produce receptors designed to target and kill specific cells containing viruses or tumor proteins.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $30 million in annual funding to six international collaborations working on an HIV cure. The program aims to address the virus's ability to establish a reservoir in immune cells, making it challenging to develop a cure.
Jonathan Karn, PhD, an HIV/AIDS expert, has received two Innovation research grants to better understand and ultimately curtail HIV's ability to remain in the body as a persistent viral reservoir. The goal is to shrink the size of, and eventually eliminate the reservoir using hormone therapies.
The NY State Dept of Health AIDS Institute has funded $3.75 million in grants to support HIV/AIDS prevention among at-risk youth in NYC. Project STAY, a comprehensive health program, aims to provide education, screenings, and linkages to care for young people engaged in risk-taking behaviors.
A Johns Hopkins study of 28,000 people with HIV concludes that the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program remains crucial despite the Affordable Care Act's availability. The program provides free medical care to hundreds of thousands of low-income individuals, and its cutbacks could leave many without access to essential services.
Seven pioneers in HIV/AIDS and epigenetics research receive NIDA's Avenir awards to support groundbreaking projects using genome editing, smartphones, and smart health technologies. These early-stage investigators will receive up to $300,000 per year for five years to advance addiction science.
Scientists at the University of Utah found that delaying the budding of new HIV particles triggers protease to destroy the virus, rendering it non-infectious. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new AIDS treatments with fewer side effects in about a decade.
Researchers found that Candida-specific CD4 T cells are more susceptible to HIV infection and preferentially depleted earlier than CMV-specific cells. This sequential dysfunction may lead to the early loss of immune control over mucosal candidiasis in HIV-infected individuals.
Researchers estimate that implementing the '90-90-90' program in South Africa would avert over 2 million new HIV infections, reduce deaths by 2.4 million, and save an additional 13 million patient-years of life compared to current strategies.
A UCLA study found a significant decline in funding for the US government's HIV/AIDS initiative, PEPFAR, from $448.6 million in 2013 to $302.8 million in 2014. This drop is concerning as many countries rely on PEPFAR for vital health care services.
The report from MGH and Partners HealthCare examines the first decade of a Shared Decision Making Program, which aims to match patients with the right treatment at the right time. The program has seen significant increases in patient engagement and clinician confidence, particularly after integrating decision aids into routine care.
According to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Botswana has achieved remarkable progress in reducing the number of people who are infectious with HIV through strong treatment programs. The country has reported 96% viral suppression rates among patients on antiretroviral therapy, surpassing Western nations and ...
A new hearing aid adjustment program, HEAR, has shown promising results in increasing overall use among patients who need them. By systematically gradual adjustments, the program helps reduce frustration and social isolation caused by inadequate hearing aid use.
Researchers developed a differential immuno-capture technology that can detect sub-populations of white blood cells, including CD4+ T cells, for AIDS diagnosis. The microfluidic biosensor achieved over 90% correlation with flow cytometers in clinical trials.
Researchers found that a family-focused package of services can significantly reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV in resource-limited areas. The study showed a 74% reduction in infant infections in the intervention group compared to the control group.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment will cost $261 billion if coverage is scaled up, exceeding domestic financing capabilities. The researchers emphasize the need for innovative funding sources to sustain control efforts.
A new study found that atazanavir-exposed infants have lower scores for language and social-emotional development compared to unexposed infants. However, the differences are small and may not have large clinical implications. Further studies are needed to assess the persistence of these effects beyond one year of age.
A special issue of the journal AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses highlights recent advances in HIV cure research, including studies on viral suppression and control of virus replication. Researchers discuss potential avenues for achieving a cure and propose exploring multiple approaches to therapy.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have made a breakthrough in understanding how retrovirus RSV brings together protein molecules to form tiny molecular claws, which can help develop anti-retrovirals to target integrase functions and improve HIV/AIDS therapies.
A Yale University study found a significant correlation between states' social service spending and reduced HIV/AIDS case rates and deaths. The researchers analyzed data from 2000-2009, discovering that states with higher investments in public health and education per person living in poverty had lower HIV/AIDS rates.
A study published in AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses found that 18% of overweight adults on ART became obese, and 22% of those with normal BMI became overweight. The study suggests a higher risk of additional health complications for HIV-infected individuals.
A recent study found that hearing aids enhance working memory, selective attention, and processing speed in individuals with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. This improvement allows individuals to focus more efficiently and reduce cognitive fatigue.
Researchers deciphered how HIV's Tat protein interacts with host genes to activate or repress several hundred human genes. Blocking Tat activity may be therapeutic value for HIV patients, suggesting a promising approach to combat the deadly virus.
A randomized trial in Kenya found that discontinuing cotrimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis increased the risk of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea, as well as non-trauma mortality events. The study supports the continued use of CTX prophylaxis regardless of CD4 cell count or HIV/AIDS clinical stage in settings with high malaria prevalence.
Researchers have filmed in vivo the process by which an AIDS vaccine candidate recruits immune cells to destroy infected cells. The study, published in Nature Medicine, shows how the vaccine induces the formation of the inflammasome, a complex assembly of proteins that triggers an immune response.
A new study estimates that up to 50% of children in Lesotho live in households with someone infected or are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. The research highlights the substantial number of children affected by HIV-infected adults, often living with parents who are infected, and emphasizes the need for distinct care and outreach efforts.
Researchers explore new pre-exposure prophylaxis strategies, broadly neutralizing antibodies, and innate antibacterial activity in relation to HIV acquisition. Advances in vaccine development and emerging clinical trial results offer promising near-term strategies for reducing HIV transmission.
Refined estimates suggest nearly three million AIDS deaths by 2010, highlighting the need for accurate reporting to monitor HIV control efforts. The study found that 93% of AIDS deaths were misattributed to other causes, hindering progress in South Africa.
Researchers found that children with mild to severe hearing loss have poorer language development than their peers, but provide well-fit hearing aids can help. Optimal early services enable hard of hearing children to catch up or close gaps with hearing peers.