A cross-section of articles we've read this week about HIV/AIDS, STIs and a wide cross-section of structural and systemic factors impacting HIV/AIDS in Black communities.

Prevention

Can Oral Sex Cause Throat Cancer?

Michael Douglas was diagnosed with throat cancer (oropharyngeal cancer) three years ago. He initially said it was caused by years of heavy smoking, alcohol abuse and stress. However, he recently told The Guardian newspaper that it was caused by oral sex (cunnilingus).

Once-A-Day Pill Prevents HIV in Drug Users

A once-a-day pill can protect people who inject drugs such as heroin from the AIDS virus, lowering their risk by nearly 50 percent, researchers reported Wednesday.

Science

From Hot Springs to HIV, Same Protein Complexes Are Hijacked to Promote Viruses

June 10, 2013 - Biologists from Indiana University and Montana State University have discovered a striking connection between viruses such as HIV and Ebola and viruses that infect organisms called archaea that grow in volcanic hot springs. Despite the huge difference in environments and a 2 billion year evolutionary time span between archaea and humans, the viruses hijack the same set of proteins to break out of infected cells.

Herpes Virus Exploits Immune Response to Bolster Infection

June 6, 2013 - Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and colleagues report that the herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), which affects an estimated 50 to 80 percent of all American adults, exploits an immune system receptor to boost its infectivity and ability to cause disease.

How HIV Makes Immune Cells Commit Suicide

A new study from the US shows how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes infected immune cells to commit suicide. The researchers believe the finding is an important lead on how to preserve the immune systems of people infected with the virus that causes AIDS.

Pace of New Drug Advances May Be Slowing, Study Finds

Research discovers decrease in dramatic breakthroughs from clinical trials.

Miscellaneous

Affordable Care Act Spurs Hiring Blitz

The nation's complicated healthcare overhaul is proving to be a surprising source of work: People are needed to explain the law's provisions to consumers.

Let's Beat This Thing! - 35 Groups Commit to Re-Engage the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

As the nation marks the opening of LGBT Pride Month, executive directors from 35 LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations from the United States released a joint letter on June 3, committing themselves and their organizations to re-engaging the broader LGBT community in the fight against HIV.

Male Victims of Sex Assault and the Services They Use

While only a small percentage of adult males who are victims of sex assault report the crime, a new study by Women's College Research Institute (WCRI) and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres (ONSA/DVTCs) shows of those who do, an overwhelming majority - almost 90 per cent - use five or more services ranging from counselling to medical care and treatment.

New HIV Network is Pozitively Healthy

In an effort to advocate for access to quality health care and treatment, a national coalition of people living with HIV/AIDS and their allies have formed Pozitively Healthy, a network to ensure the strong independent voice of the 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S.

WRITE Chicks: An Organization Set To Promote Authors and HIV/AIDS Awareness

WRITE Chicks is an organization that promotes African American female authors and playwrights. The organization's main focus is HIV/AIDS education.