Science
There may be two new ways to fight AIDS-using a heat shock protein or a small molecule - to attack fibrils in semen associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during the initial phases of infection, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. HIV is most commonly transmitted between individuals in semen, the male reproductive fluid, which contains deposits of protein fragments called amyloid fibrils. These fibrils can increase the transmission of HIV by helping the virus attach to the membrane surrounding human cells. The scientists surmise that therapies that reduce the levels of amyloid fibrils in semen might be able to reduce the transmission of HIV.
Testing & Diagnostics
Now that Gilead Sciences has made large profits developing highly effective treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV), the pharmaceutical company has set its sights on curing two more viral epidemics-HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV), Bloomberg Business reports.
Treatment
Drug treatment advocates caution new program appears to prioritize law enforcement over medical treatment
Expected program in response to rising fatalities from drug use
Miscellaneous
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), which has long waged a vociferous and largely isolated battle against Truvada (tenofovir/emtricitabine) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), has finally begun to capitulate, offering measured support for the HIV prevention method. After publishing an error-ridden advertisement attacking PrEP in various gay newspapers across the country in June, AHF will release a new ad on August 19 in which the organization presents a series of guidelines for the use of PrEP.
If convicted, both could face up to life in prison.
Obamacare gives federal money to poor people to help them get health insurance. Scott Walker, Wisconsin's governor, has a replacement plan. It would give federal money to old people instead.
The Stonewall riots are recognized as a major turning point in LGBTQ activism, with people across the LGBTQ spectrum fighting for their survival against the brute force of the NYPD. In the 46 years since that moment, however, the mainstream gay rights movement has been accused of moving towards a white, middle-class normativity while the struggles of queer people of color go largely unrecognized.
Back-to-school season is here, and John Oliver of HBO's Last Week Tonight recorded a must-see segment on the sorry state of sex education in America.
"Raffi Freedman-Gurspan demonstrates the kind of leadership this Administration champions."