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Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

VivaGel coated condoms - Starpharma and SSL International in business

Starpharma Holdings Limited has announced that a full licence agreement has been signed with SSL International plc in relation to the VivaGel coated condom. SSL manufactures and sells Durex condoms, the market-leading condom brand worldwide.

9 Sep 2008

Vaginal rings provide new HIV protection for women

Vaginal rings, similar to those used for contraception and hormone replacement therapy, could protect women from sexually-transmitted HIV, according to research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

8 Sep 2008

Catching the blood cell bus gives fatal yeast infection a clean getaway

Yeast fungus cells that kill thousands of AIDS patients every year escape detection by our bodies' defences by hiding inside our own defence cells, and hitch a ride through our systems before attacking and spreading, scientists heard today (Tuesday 9 September 2008) at the Society for General Microbiology's 163rd meeting being held this week at Trinity College, Dublin.

8 Sep 2008

In just 5 years tobacco caused 2.4 million cases of cancer in the U.S.

The latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. reveals some shocking figures.

8 Sep 2008

Universal flu vaccine the 'Holy Grail' of flu shots

Scientists say a universal flu vaccine still in the pipeline could see an end to the annual flu shot.

8 Sep 2008

Binge drinking women often engage in risky sex

According to new research from the U.S., women who binge drink are more likely to indulge in unsafe sex.

8 Sep 2008

Orlando Sentinel profiles home for transgender people living with HIV

The Orlando Sentinel on Wednesday profiled the region's first residential home for transgender people living with HIV, which advocates say helps a "unique community that faces discrimination, ignorance and a disproportionate share" of HIV/AIDS cases. Keith Theriot, program manager for Orlando's Housing and Community Development Department, said that the population is "particularly complicated," adding that officials "really want to have a safe and stable environment for our clients that are in need."

7 Sep 2008

Seattle department finds OraSure HIV test to be less accurate than label claims

A report by Public Health -- Seattle and King County in Washington state has found that testing with OraSure Technologies' OraQuick test provides less accurate results than the label claims, Bloomberg reports.

7 Sep 2008

U.N. report finds donors providing less aid to developing nations

Despite rising food and energy prices and slowing economic growth worldwide, aid to developing nations has been on the decline, according to a United Nations report released on Thursday by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the New York Times reports.

7 Sep 2008

Ugandan text messaging program aims to increase awareness, knowledge of HIV/AIDS

A text messaging program using mobile phone technology is being used in western Uganda to increase awareness of and knowledge about HIV/AIDS, IRIN/Plus News reports.

7 Sep 2008

Advocates in Swaziland call for democratic reforms, social spending to address issues such as HIV/AIDS

About 1,000 people in the Swazi city of Manzini held a protest on Wednesday, calling for democratic reforms and increased social spending to address issues such as HIV/AIDS in the country, Reuters Africa reports.

7 Sep 2008

Press Trust of India examines HIV/AIDS among Indian populations living in Mauritius

The Press Trust of India on Tuesday examined HIV/AIDS among Indian populations on the island of Mauritius.

5 Sep 2008

Link found between Apobec3 gene and neutralizing antibody response to retrovirus

Scientists have uncovered new evidence that strengthens the link between a host-cell gene called Apobec3 and the production of neutralizing antibodies to retroviruses. Published in the Sept. 5 issue of Science, the finding adds a new dimension to the set of possible explanations for why most people who are infected with HIV do not make neutralizing antibodies that effectively fight the virus.

4 Sep 2008

St. Lucia developing HIV/AIDS policy for education system

Stakeholders involved in St. Lucia's education system met last week to commence work on an HIV/AIDS policy for the sector, the Caribbean Media Corporation/Antigua Sun reports.

4 Sep 2008

HIV/AIDS, human rights charter proposed in Zimbabwe

An HIV/AIDS and human rights charter that aims to protect and promote the rights of people living with the disease was proposed recently by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the Zimbabwe Standard reports.

4 Sep 2008

Sexual activities other than intercourse carry risk of HIV, other STIs, study finds

Sexual activities other than intercourse carry some risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, according to a report from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published recently in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reuters reports.

4 Sep 2008

Gilead's antiretroviral patent request rejected by Brazil

A patent request from the pharmaceutical company Gilead for its antiretroviral drug tenofovir was rejected by Brazil Wednesday, Reuters reports.

4 Sep 2008

Domestic HIV/AIDS spending 'essentially flat,' increased 'efforts to control' HIV from 'all levels of Government' needed, editorial says

It has been "difficult over the years to get a good statistical handle on the size of the AIDS problem in this country," a New York Times editorial says, adding, "But by the latest and most sophisticated measurements, the disease continues to frustrate federal and local efforts to rein it in."

4 Sep 2008

U.S. pledges $99 million to Tanzania for malaria, HIV/AIDS efforts, farm loans

Tanzania will receive $99 million in aid from the U.S. to enhance its efforts to address malaria and HIV/AIDS and provide loans to farmers, Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Bernard Membe said Tuesday, Reuters reports.

4 Sep 2008

U.S. residents increasingly adopting HIV-positive children from abroad

U.S. residents increasingly are adopting HIV-positive children from abroad, according to figures from the U.S.-based Adoption Advocates International, the AP/Google.com reports.

4 Sep 2008