An expressive therapy group intervention, conducted by The Medea Project, assists women living with HIV in disclosing their health status and improving social support, self-efficacy, and relationship safety. The study reveals five core themes: sisterhood, catharsis, self-acceptance, safer relationships, and gaining a voice.
Researchers have found that viral protein sequences matching a consensus sequence are more likely to be transmitted than those that deviate from the consensus. This 'fitness bottleneck' effect allows for a window of opportunity to prevent or limit infection using drugs or vaccines. The study suggests that targeting infected cells for k...
The Mississippi baby, who was thought to be functionally cured of HIV, has developed detectable levels of the virus after over two years without treatment. Researchers are now working to understand what factors enabled the child's prolonged remission and how to extend it.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a peptide in semen that enhances HIV infection by up to 10,000 times. The findings suggest that healthy epithelial cells are resistant to the toxicity of these protein enhancers.
A NYU research team created a social/behavioral intervention that increased the number of African American and Latino individuals living with HIV/AIDS who enrolled in studies. The ACT2 program found nine out of ten eligible participants joined, compared to none in a control group.
The ASPIRE trial is testing a vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral drug dapivirine for HIV prevention in women. The study has completed enrollment with 2,629 participants and is expected to conclude by late 2015 or early 2016.
The article highlights the dangers of new anti-homosexuality laws that restrict freedoms, healthcare access, and create a climate of fear. These laws can lead to increased rates of HIV transmission, torture, and murder of LGBTQ+ activists, underscoring the need for continued research and support.
A study by New York University's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research found that prior drug use is the greatest predictor of ecstasy use among US high school seniors. The study analyzed data from over 26,000 students between 2007-2012 and identified sociodemographic risk factors, including other substance use, income, and residence.
Researchers have developed a new monkey model for AIDS using pigtailed macaques, which can cause full-blown AIDS in primates. The model allows for the study of HIV-1's interaction with host antiviral defenses and has the potential to improve prevention and treatment research.
A study published in PLOS ONE maps the transmission network of HIV in San Diego, predicting new transmissions and identifying high-risk individuals. Targeted treatment interventions based on this analysis can significantly reduce new infections.
A team led by Scripps Research Institute scientists has received a $13 million grant to study antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in pursuit of an effective vaccine. The goal is to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies that can neutralize most circulating HIV strains.
Patients with immunosuppressive conditions are at high risk of shingles but lack access to vaccination due to safety concerns. Alternative strategies must be developed to reduce shingles risk among these patient groups.
Women who experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their partner were 58 percent more likely to be smokers. Research found a link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and smoking among women in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the need for tobacco prevention interventions.
Researchers have developed a new gel-based eye fluid called Healaflow that stabilizes the eye during healing after retinal detachment surgery. This new product does not appear to inflict additional damage on the retina, setting it apart from other alternatives.
The study aims to understand why some young men exhibit risky behaviors as they emerge into adulthood, while others do not. The research team will consider factors such as social and sexual networks, homophobia, substance use, and mental health burdens.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have found that HIV is slowly adapting to its human hosts in North America, a development with potential implications for vaccine design. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, suggests that the virus's adaptation rate may be too slow to pose a significant threat.
Researchers traced HIV's adaptation to its human host over time in North America, finding gradual changes that are unlikely to impact vaccine design. The study suggests that HIV's slow adaptation rate could have implications for host immunity and treatment efficacy.
Researchers call for further study into the consequences of HIV and schistosomiasis coinfection in children in sub-Saharan Africa to understand potential synergies in control efforts. The diseases have a substantial geographical overlap, with millions of children at risk of transmission.
New York University researchers found that computerized intervention may aid antiretroviral therapy, improving ART adherence and reducing sexual transmission risk behaviors. The study, published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, showed a promising intervention for increased ART adherence and safer sex.
A community-based HIV prevention effort boosted testing rates by 45% and reduced new infections by 14% in Africa and Thailand. The intervention also led to increased social acceptance of testing and lower rates of sexual partners among infected individuals.
A recent study found that individuals with multiple sex partners and heavy drinkers are less likely to enroll in HIV-prevention counseling. The researchers suggest that interventions targeting both STI prevention and alcohol use could be effective in reducing risk factors for HIV infection.
Researchers are investigating HIV vaccines that failed to demonstrate efficacy and may have increased susceptibility to HIV infection. A new perspectives article highlights the need for risk-benefit analysis when developing new HIV vaccine candidates.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that long-term HIV infections increase the risk of plaque buildup in coronary arteries, regardless of other risk factors. The researchers found noncalcified and partly calcified plaques more prevalent in HIV-infected men, suggesting a higher risk of heart attacks.
Researchers have developed a new technique using DNA vaccines to stimulate the immune system's response against HIV and Hepatitis C viruses. The technique, which has shown promising results in pre-clinical research, involves delivering a vaccination directly into the skin using a micro-needle device.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins report that compounds designed to 'wake up' dormant HIV reservoirs have failed to work in laboratory tests of infected cells taken directly from patients. The failure challenges the idea that a single latency-reversing agent can uncover the hidden virus.
The Miriam Hospital will continue to conduct HIV/AIDS research and provide treatments under the NIH grant, which has supported studies since 2000. The grant renewal allows for further investigation into novel therapeutic interventions and reduced pill burden for treatment-experienced patients.
Researchers have identified a subclass of antibodies associated with an effective immune response to an HIV vaccine. The study provides key insights that could aid the development of new vaccines, focusing on understanding the underlying quality of the immune response.
Scientists at the University of Granada have discovered an allosteric interaction between HIV protein gp41 and antibody 2F5, a potent virus neutralizer. This breakthrough could lead to the design of effective vaccines against HIV by understanding how immune responses work.
Researchers genetically engineered T cells to resist HIV infection by inducing the CCR5-delta-32 mutation. The study showed promising results with reduced viral loads and persistent modified cells in patients.
A Phase I study of a combination ARV vaginal ring found the ring safe and effective in preventing HIV infection, with dapivirine showing promising results. However, maraviroc, the first entry inhibitor tested as a microbicide, was not as effective and requires further development.
Researchers analyzed data from the VOICE trial and found that women using injectable contraceptive DMPA were more likely to acquire HIV than those using NET-EN. The study also showed a significant difference in HIV risk between DMPA and NET-EN users, particularly among HSV-2 positive women.
A new analysis confirms that behavioral measures used in the VOICE study did not accurately predict women's use and nonuse of HIV prevention products. Biological measures, such as drug levels in stored samples, provided a more accurate picture of adherence.
Researchers have discovered potent antibodies in a KwaZulu-Natal woman's blood that can kill multiple strains of HIV. The study, published in Nature, could lead to new HIV vaccine strategies and improve treatment options.
A scientific team discovered how the immune system makes a powerful antibody that blocks HIV infection of cells by targeting a site on the virus called V1V2. The new findings point toward a potentially more effective vaccine that would generate V1V2-directed HIV neutralizing antibodies.
A UCLA-led team of researchers has found evidence that photosensitizing a virus's membrane covering can inhibit its ability to enter cells. This process could lead to the development of stronger, cheaper medications to fight a host of tough viruses.
Researchers used Twitter 'big data' to track HIV incidence and drug-related behaviors, mapping where tweets originated and linking them with geographic distribution of HIV cases. The study suggests that monitoring tweets can predict sexual risk and drug use behaviors, potentially preventing outbreaks.
The University of North Carolina has received a seven-year, $40 million award from the NIH for its Global HIV Prevention and Treatment Clinical Trials Unit. The unit will lead research on HIV treatment, prevention, and cure, with a focus on high-risk populations in the US and sub-Saharan Africa.
A study by New York University finds that high school seniors, normally at low risk for marijuana use, reported intention to try marijuana if legal. The researchers anticipate a 5.6% absolute increase in lifetime prevalence among this age group.
A new study suggests that a strengths-based social/behavioral intervention can help injecting drug users avoid injection-related HCV and HIV infections. The 'Staying Safe Intervention' program, developed by NYU researchers, showed substantial improvements in motivation and planning to avoid injection risks.
A recent study by New York University researchers found that programs for people who use drugs, such as syringe exchange and treatment, are associated with lower rates of AIDS incidence and death among heterosexuals. The study highlights the importance of addressing HIV epidemics in one population to reduce risks in other populations.
Chronic THC administration has been shown to increase survival of T cell populations and reduce overall cell death in the gut of monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). This finding suggests that marijuana may have a protective effect against HIV-related inflammation and disease progression.
Researchers have shown that boosting broadly neutralizing antibodies can protect humanized mice from both intravenous and vaginal HIV infection. The study used a novel technique called vectored immunoprophylaxis, which enabled the production of antibodies for extended periods.
A Caltech-developed method for delivering HIV-fighting antibodies has been shown to be effective in preventing vaginal transmission of the virus in mice, a breakthrough that could potentially lead to new prevention strategies for humans.
Researchers used a defective form of HIV to track CD4+ T cells in HIV patients, distinguishing dividing cells from dying ones and discovering they can persist for at least 17 years. The study sheds light on the lifespan of effector memory T cells, which were previously thought to last only days or weeks.
Researchers found a mechanism that helps HIV evade antibodies and stabilize key proteins. By sulfating amino acids on the gp120 protein, the virus can be made more susceptible to neutralizing antibodies, which could lead to more effective HIV vaccines.
A Johns Hopkins study found nearly half of HIV-infected teenagers and young adults delay treatment until their disease is advanced, putting them at risk for serious infections and long-term complications. Males and members of minority groups are more likely to show up in clinic with advanced infections.
Researchers from Helmholtz Munich demonstrate that geranium extracts inhibit HIV-1 virus replication by blocking attachment to host cells. The extracts contain polyphenols with high anti-HIV-1 activity, making them a promising lead for phytomedicine against HIV-1.
A new study reveals the 3D structure of HIV infection in the gut, showing how the virus infects immune cells and spreads through tissue. The researchers used electron tomography to visualize the architecture of infected parts of the gut, revealing details on viral transmission events.
CONRAD has been awarded the USAID Science and Technology Pioneers Prize for its work on the first vaginal gel proven to reduce HIV and HSV-2 infections. The gel, containing tenofovir, was tested on 889 women in South Africa and showed successful results.
A new study found differences in doctor-patient dialogue about HIV drug adherence depending on patients' race and ethnicity. Black patients experienced significant provider dominance, while Hispanic patients had more extensive dialogues about adherence.
The university's AIDS Clinical Trials Unit will conduct human studies to advance knowledge of HIV-related diseases, prevention, and treatment. The award supports the development of effective methods to prevent HIV infection and fine-tune treatments for patients, aiming to improve life expectancy and quality of life.
A study found that pro-inflammatory molecules were strongly associated with increased mortality in alcohol-abusing HIV patients. IL-6 was identified as the molecule most closely linked to mortality, regardless of antiretroviral therapy use. This research may inform strategies to improve mortality rates among this vulnerable population.
A team led by The Wistar Institute will conduct a 4-year, randomized clinical trial to test an immunotherapy strategy that has shown promise in reducing the amount of persistent HIV-1 virus residing in cells. The trial aims to establish the effectiveness of this approach in advancing an HIV cure.
Researchers discover a subgroup of memory T-cells that are resistant to HIV killing and can survive for years, making them a key target for developing a true 'cure' for HIV infection. This finding could also lead to the development of new cancer therapies targeting stem-cell metabolic pathways.
Researchers analyzed data from 294 participants with HIV and injection drug use history to identify risk factors for non-fatal overdoses. Injection frequency and anti-retroviral therapy were found to be associated with a higher risk of non-fatal overdose within the previous three months.
The study found that high levels of depressive symptoms may be associated with delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among HIV-infected Russian drinkers. Cognitive symptoms of depression were also linked to poorer ART adherence in this population.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified the precise chain of molecular events driving CD4 T cell death in HIV-infected individuals, leading to AIDS. They also discovered an existing anti-inflammatory drug that blocks this process, paving the way for a Phase 2 clinical trial.
A 20-year-old HIV-positive individual on antiretroviral therapy in the U.S. or Canada can now expect to live into their early 70's, surpassing life expectancy of the general population. The study analyzed nearly 23,000 individuals and found that life expectancy increased from 36.1 to 51.4 years between 2000-2002 and 2006-2007.
University of Minnesota researchers have discovered a series of compounds with anti-HIV activity that block HIV DNA synthesis or induce lethal mutagenesis. The compounds, known as ribonucleoside analogs, stop the replication and spread of HIV by preventing it from reproducing.
The Microbicide Trials Network, led by the University of Pittsburgh, has received a seven-year, $70 million grant to continue developing and testing HIV prevention products. The network aims to address unmet needs for new products targeting young women and men who have sex with men.