What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) weakens the body's immune
defenses by destroying white blood cells known as CD4
lymphocytes. CD4 lymphocytes normally help guard against attacks
by bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens by coordinating the
immune system. When HIV destroys CD4 lymphocytes, the body's
immune system becomes vulnerable to many different types of
opportunistic infections. The spectrum of symptoms and
illnesses that can be acquired as a result of HIV infection
is called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). For information
on symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention click
here.
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Research News
Featuring HMS and Affiliated Hospitals
Rapid oral HIV screening tests need confirmation
Researchers halt spread of HIV with RNAi
Cardiovascular
risk assessment important for HIV patients
Increasing access to drugs would cut deaths
in South Africa
New picture of HIV-1's protein
jacket identifies target for vaccine
Genomic Screen nets hundreds
of proteins exploited by HIV.
Hormone release reduces abdominal fat, improves
lipid levels in HIV patients.
Second pathway behind
HIV-associated immune dysfunction.
Novel
Genetics Research advances possibility of HIV vaccine.
HIV
Infection Appears to increase the risk of heart attack.
Effective
HIV Control may depend on which viral protein is
targeted.
HIV and Hepatits C Study examines impact of infection
with both.
Inherited
Factors may affect early-stage immune system control.
The Mystery
of Natural HIV Control Study will examine genetics
and immune systems.
AIDS
Vaccine Research Offers New Insights Subpopulation of T-cells provides immunity and promotes survival.
Study
offers new hope for preventive vaccine.
Novel
Candidate Vaccine Vector Reported
Elusive HIV Shape Change Revealed
Key clue to how virus infects cells.
Study
Finds Protein Can Drive Immune Cells Away
Natural
Blocker of HIV-1 Virus
Researchers have identified a protein in monkeys that blocks infection
by HIV-1.
>More Research News
|
Research Stories
From the Harvard University Gazette
Increasing growth
hormone release reduces abdominal fat.
Second
pathway behind HIV-associated immune system dysfunction is discovered.
Battling
AIDS in Brazil:
A message of hope.
Exercise Boosts Health of HIV-infected Women
Dramatic physical, mental improvement seen.
Study: Hope Alive for AIDS Vaccine
HSPH Finds AIDS Drugs Work Well in Botswana
Regime effective without extensive health infrastructure.
New
AIDS Vaccine Tested in U.S., Africa
Tests of a new vaccine against the AIDS virus are being launched
simulta-neously in the United States and southern Africa.
>More HU Gazette |
Scientific
Reports
From HMS Faculty Newsletter Focus
Sugar
Receptor on brain immune cells gums up viral infection.
Drug
Can Protect Mothers and Babies
New study examines timing of dosage.
Masked Vector Rides Past Immune Defense
Tested in animals, chimeric vaccine carrier heads
toward clinical trial.
Brain
Injury Reversed in Animal Model
Damage from other disorders may also be reversible.
AIDS
and Isolation Among the Navajo
Genetic
Battleground Marked between HIV and host.
Prevention
May Double Effectiveness of global HIV/AIDS treatment.
Multivitamins
Can Delay Onset of AIDS Results of an eight-year study look promising.
Priming
Cellular Pathway May Lead To New Vaccines Dendritic
cells could be turned toward smarter T cell activation.
>More Research
Reports |
