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Data from Sangamo BioSciences’ SB-728-T Phase 1 clinical programs on HIV/AIDS

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced that data from its Phase 1 clinical programs to develop SB-728-T, a novel therapeutic approach designed to generate a "functional cure" for HIV/AIDS, were presented at the 52nd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).

11 Sep 2012

HIV viruses with two genetic 'footprints' associated with greater vaccine efficacy

Scientists used genetic sequencing to discover new evidence that the first vaccine shown to prevent HIV infection in people also affected the viruses in those who did become infected. Viruses with two genetic "footprints" were associated with greater vaccine efficacy. The results were published today in the online edition of the journal Nature.

10 Sep 2012

Study measures cost-effectiveness of on-site rapid HIV testing in drug abuse treatment programs

Less than half of community-based substance abuse treatment programs in the United States currently make HIV testing available on-site or through referral. A new study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College shows the cost-effectiveness of integrating on-site rapid HIV testing into drug treatment programs.

10 Sep 2012

Researchers, policymakers to gather at AIDS Vaccine 2012 conference in Boston

"With a completed trial in Thailand that offered evidence a vaccine could be developed to protect people from HIV, emerging science identifying antibodies against HIV, and a current trial testing a novel vaccine combination against the virus potentially producing more information in the next year, this is an exciting time to hold a conference, organizers of AIDS Vaccine 2012 say," the Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog reports.

7 Sep 2012

NPR blog examines 'test and treat' approach as HIV/AIDS prevention tactic

NPR's "Shots" blog examines the "test and treat" approach to HIV care and prevention, which "relies on the fact that taking HIV drugs dramatically reduces a person's risk of transmitting the virus to others," and, "[a]s more and more people are put on medication, the epidemic theoretically should fizzle out." The blog continues, "Test and treat sounds good on paper, but some doctors and policymakers have doubts about its feasibility on a large scale."

7 Sep 2012

Global Fund must resolve leadership, governance issues by end of 2012

"Good news about the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has been sorely lacking these past few years as the organization has faced corruption allegations, financial woes, and internal reform," a Lancet editorial states.

7 Sep 2012

Pesticide-related illnesses to cost up to $90B between 2005-2020 in sub-Saharan Africa, UNEP report says

"The potential cost of pesticide-related illnesses in sub-Saharan African between 2005 and 2020 could reach $90 billion, according to a U.N. report released on Wednesday highlighting the growing health and environmental hazards from chemicals," the Associated Press/Guardian reports.

7 Sep 2012

Reuters examines challenges to implementing 'treatment as prevention,' other HIV prevention strategies in current economic climate

In an "Insight" feature article, Reuters examines how new information on the prevention benefits of HIV treatment and other strategies, such as male circumcision, "could finally break the back of the AIDS epidemic."

7 Sep 2012

Outbreak of autoimmune disease with AIDS-like symptoms in Southeast Asia

There has been an outbreak of an adult-onset immunodeficiency syndrome in Southeast Asia. The autoimmune disease causes AIDS-like symptoms but is not associated with HIV and is not contagious.

7 Sep 2012

Democrats, Republicans find 'common ground' in acknowledging Bush's AIDS work

In Foreign Policy's "Passport" blog, Associate Editor Uri Friedman reflects on former President George W. Bush's efforts against AIDS, highlighting PEPFAR, which he "established in 2003 and which now supports antiretroviral treatment for 4.5 million people around the world."

7 Sep 2012

Bionic leg activated by patient’s intent to move introduced by Tibion

Patients who can't use their legs from the effects of multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, partial spinal cord injury and other debilitating conditions have been given a new 'leg up' with the introduction of the only wearable, lower limb, robotic trainer activated by the patient's intent to move - the Tibion Bionic Leg.

7 Sep 2012

Capsules: Study: Decision aids show promise in reducing medical procedures

While policymakers debate whether doctors should be paid by the number of services they provide or the outcomes of their treatment, shared decision could have an impact on the ground by reducing demand for medical procedures.

7 Sep 2012

'Toolkit' for African cancer advocates to be launched on September 15

Cancer kills more than seven million people a year throughout the world. This is more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, and African countries, which carry a large part of the burden, are the least able of all developing countries to cope with the challenges it presents, says a consortium of international cancer organizations.

7 Sep 2012

Better recognition of rising burden of cancer in Africa needed

6 Sep 2012

First Edition: September 6, 2012

Now on Kaiser Health News' blog, Ankita Rao reports: "While policymakers debate whether doctors should be paid by the number of services they provide or the outcomes of their treatment, shared decision could have an impact on the ground by reducing demand for medical procedures.

6 Sep 2012

PlusNews examines recently approved grants under Global Fund's Transitional Funding Mechanism

PlusNews examines the recently approved grants under the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's Transitional Funding Mechanism (TFM), stating, "Last week, the Fund announced that 45 new grant applications, from countries such as Burundi, Malawi and Swaziland, have been approved under the TFM."

6 Sep 2012

FDA continues review of Salix’s Crofelemer new drug application

Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was informed today that the Food and Drug Administration is continuing its review of the new drug application seeking approval of crofelemer for the treatment of chronic diarrhea in people living with HIV/AIDS on anti-retroviral therapy.

6 Sep 2012

Modus Five launches Sleep Disorder: a Patient Education Multimedia Course

Modus Five has launched a new educational and user-friendly multimedia software program called Sleep Disorder: a Patient Education Multimedia Course. The software program presents helpful information by using rich graphics, interactive content, videos and animations.

6 Sep 2012

U.S. commitment to foreign assistance, global health to rise or fall with presidential election outcome

In this Lancet opinion piece, Laurie Garrett, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, examines a number of social, political, and financial issues at play ahead of the November 6 U.S. presidential election and their implications for domestic and global health programs.

6 Sep 2012

Developing countries NGO delegation to Global Fund submits report highlighting challenges, recommendations

The Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog discusses a report by the developing countries NGO delegation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, submitted recently to the Global Fund Secretariat.

6 Sep 2012