World AIDS Day - December 1st

Condom couture by Adriana Bertini
Photo via Nogoodforme.com

Today, December 1st marks the 21st observation of World AIDS Day. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people and at least 33 million people are living with HIV.

Every 9 1/2 minutes someone in the United States is infected with HIV. Know your status. Get tested.

For more information visit:
Avert
LIFEbeat
The Body
World Health Organization


Source: UNAIDS 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Crisis

Cock Blocking

For years researchers have been working on microbicides that could help prevent the spread of HIV. Now, they may be one step closer as scientists at the University of Utah think they may have finally found a gel that actually works! The gel, which is being called a 'molecular condom' by bioengineering professor Patrick Kiser is inserted into the vagina prior to sex. When the gel comes in contact with semen it turns semi-solid and blocks HIV from entering vaginal cells. Doctoral candidate Julie Jay wanted to work on a vaginal gel because she realized socioeconomic issues and cultural norms make it hard for some women to negotiate safer sex.

Scientists are also hoping the gel can be used as a contraceptive; and eventually block the herpes and human papilloma virus (HPV) which is associated with cervical and other cancers. Talk about killing two birds with one stone -- gel in this case. Human trials are expected to begin in the next few years. The sociosexual implications of the gel -- if it works -- will be huge.

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