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'Hijacking Mechanism' Of HIV-1' Pinpointed By McGill/JGH Researchers
Researchers at McGill University and the affiliated Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at Montreal"s Jewish General Hospital - along with colleagues at the University of Manitoba and the University of British Columbia - may have found a chink in the armour of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the microorganism which causes AIDS. They have pinpointed the key cellular machinery co-opted by HIV-1 to hijack the human cell for its own benefit. Their study was published in May in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

HIV/AIDS Vaccine Coalition Urges Continued Funding For Research Amid Economic Crisis
A recently released AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition report says that although there has been a renewed focus on discovery, innovation and basic science in vaccine research, action is needed to ensure that research funding continues during the economic downturn, VOA News reports. AVAC executive director Mitchell Warren said the report is "about putting all the pieces together ... not just the search for an AIDS vaccine, but in fact the entire HIV prevention response." He added, "[T]he good news is we have some new pieces of the puzzle, and we"re expecting additional new pieces of understanding through research this year." Warren said that AVAC believes HIV/AIDS vaccine research is in "one of the most exciting times," with "new energy, new commitment to unlocking some of the basic scientific roadblocks that have impeded our ability to find a vaccine." For example, a study released earlier this week examined efforts to produce a vaccine through genetic transfer. Regarding the study, Warren said, "It doesn"t mean we have an AIDS vaccine, but it means we have an entirely new approach to trying to deliver protection." Warren said that the field of HIV/AIDS vaccine research has shown a renewed commitment since Merck canceled its vaccine trial in 2007. According to Warren, the new AVAC report examines knowledge gained from the Merck study, which has provided "an unimaginable amount of information." Meanwhile, the effect of the economic crisis on research funding is concerning, Warren said, adding, "I believe that every dollar spent is going to be held up to a greater scrutiny as budgets tighten and as funders have to re-examine their priorities." According to Warren, without renewed funding commitments, "we will not only incur a much greater public health catastrophe, but I would argue that the economic catastrophes to come, if we don"t respond aggressively to HIV, will actually have repercussions that will ... make the economic crisis pale in comparison" (DeCapua, VOA News, 5/18).
News of the day
Study Highlights Massive Imbalances In Global Fertilizer Use
Synthetic fertilizers have dramatically increased food production worldwide. But the unintended costs to the environment and human health have been substantial. Nitrogen runoff from farms has contaminated surface and groundwater and helped create massive "dead zones" in coastal areas, such as the Gulf of Mexico. And ammonia from fertilized cropland has become a major of air pollution, while emissions of nitrous oxide form a potent greenhouse gas.
Endocrinology

Obama Names Alabama Family Physician Benjamin To Be Surgeon General

President Obama on Monday nominated Alabama family physician Regina Benjamin, founder of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic, to be the U.S. surgeon general, the AP/Detroit Free Press reports (Neergaard, AP/Detroit Free Press, 7/13). Benjamin"s clinic serves a low-income community of about 2,500 and has earned a national reputation treating all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Benjamin founded the clinic in 1990 and repeatedly rebuilt it after two hurricanes and a fire (Zhang, Wall Street Journal, 7/14). In 2008, she received one of the MacArthur Foundation"s $500,000 "genius grants" (Lloyd, USA Today, 7/14). In 1995, Benjamin became the first black woman to be elected to the American Medical Association Board of Trustees. Benjamin also has served as associate dean for rural health at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine (Bellantoni, Washington Times, 7/13). In 2002, she became president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, making her the first black woman to be president of a state medical society (Mostrous/Shear, Washington Post, 7/14).Benjamin is a "devout Roman Catholic," according to the New York Times. The administration did not disclose her views on abortion. Benjamin routinely prescribes oral contraceptives, but the clinic does not have the facilities to perform abortions, according to nurse Audrey Bosarge, a colleague of Benjamin"s (Harris, New York Times, 7/14). In his announcement, Obama said Benjamin understands the needs of the low-income and uninsured U.S. residents, which makes her uniquely qualified to serve as surgeon general during health care overhaul negotiations (Wall Street Journal, 7/14). In accepting the nomination, Benjamin vowed to ensure that "no one falls through the cracks as we improve our health care system." Benjamin"s nomination requires Senate confirmation (AP/Detroit Free Press, 7/13). Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women"s Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women"s Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company. © 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.


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