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.

Science

Two Strains of H.I.V. Cut Vastly Different Paths 

Thirty-four years ago, doctors in Los Angeles discovered that some of their patients were succumbing to a normally harmless fungus. It soon became clear that they belonged to a growing number of people whose immune systems were hobbled by a virus, eventually known as human immunodeficiency virus, or H.I.V.

While Rare, Drug Resistance After Contracting HIV on PrEP Can Occur 

For the first time, a study has shown that, although rare, resistance to Truvada (tenofovir/emtricitabine) can develop if someone contracts HIV while taking the drug as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In previous studies this had only been found to occur if someone turned out to be acutely, or very newly, infected with HIV when they started taking PrEP. (An HIV test may yield a false negative if conducted during an acute infection, possibly leading someone to enter a PrEP study under the false impression that he or she does not have the virus.)

Testing & Diagnostics

Bristol-Myers: Drug Combo Cured Hepatitis C in 97% with HIV 

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said Thursday that an experimental combination of two hepatitis C drugs - its daclatasvir and Gilead Sciences Inc.'s blockbuster drug Sovaldi - cured hepatitis C in just 12 weeks in nearly all the patients, who also are infected with the HIV virus.

Gilead's (GILD) HIV Drug Positive in 2 Phase III Studies - Analyst Blog 

Pipeline updates are highly awaited events in the pharma/biotech sector as they play an important role in deciding whether or not to invest in a particular company. These updates provide information on experimental drugs and at times give an insight into the commercial potential of the candidate once it is successfully developed and commercialized.

Miscellaneous

At Least 6 Republican States Revisit Their Stance of Resisting Obamacare 

Officials in several Republican states that balked at participating in President Obama's ­health-care initiative are now revisiting the issue amid mounting panic over a possible Supreme Court decision that would revoke federal insurance subsidies for millions of Americans.

Jails Are Signing Up Inmates for Obamacare

CHICAGO - Each time Randy Nowak was locked up, it was because of his heroin habit: He'd steal whatever he could grab from Home Depot, Menards, or Lowe's to pay for his next fix.

NYC Man Indicted for Fatally Beating Transgender Woman 

James Dixon, 24, was charged Tuesday with manslaughter and assault for fatally beating 21-year-old transgender woman Islan Nettles in New York City in August 2013, the New York Daily News reports.

A Police Force Confronts its Racial Bias 

After data showed Kalamazoo's police racially profiled residents, the department is trying to right a decades-old wrong.

7 Principles for Reforming HIV Criminal Laws 

The Positive Justice Project (PJP), a nation coalition to challenge HIV laws, released a set of principles with the goal of helping states update their laws regarding HIV criminalization, according to a PJP statement.

White House Plans No Rescue if Court Guts Health Care Law 

WASHINGTON - As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on Wednesday on whether to invalidate a crucial part of the president's health care law, Obama administration officials say they are doing nothing to prepare for what could be a catastrophic defeat.