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In this issue:
• Researchers discover gene
that blocks HIV
• Researchers identify protein that fights
immunodeficiency
• Shut drug injection sites, Canada told
•
HIV/AIDS Legal Network
reacts to UN criticism
• More Science Less
Silence
• WHO Releases Report on Global Scale of Drug-Resistant
TB
• HIV
infections to soar by 75 per cent -
Australia
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 Researchers discover gene that blocks HIV
(University of Alberta Express News - February 28,
2008) A team of researchers at the
University of Alberta has discovered a gene that is able to block
HIV, and in turn prevent the onset of AIDS. Stephen Barr,
a molecular virologist in the Department of Medical Microbiology and
Immunology, says his team has identified a gene called TRIM22 that
can block HIV infection in a cell culture by preventing the assembly
of the virus.
>> Click
Here for Article
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Researchers
identify protein that fights immunodeficiency
(Universite de Montreal) A
Canada-U.S. research team has solved a major genetic mystery: How a
protein in some people’s DNA guards them against killer immune
diseases such as HIV. In an advance online edition of Nature
Medicine, the scientists explain how the protein, FOX03a, shields
against viral attacks and how the discovery will help in the
development of a HIV vaccine. "HIV infection is
characterised by the slow demise of T-cells, in particular central
memory cells, which can mediate lifelong protection against
viruses," said lead researcher Rafick-Pierre Sékaly, a Université de
Montréal professor and a researcher at the Centre Hospitalier de
l’Université de Montréal and the French Institut national de la
santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm).
>> Click
Here for Article
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Shut drug
injection sites, Canada told
UN body says sites 'enable' illicit use; flout treaties
(Steven Edwards, The Ottawa
Citizen) The head of the United Nations
drug control board put the federal government on notice yesterday to
rein in provincial and other health authorities deemed to be
flouting international treaties aimed at combating illicit drug
use. Speaking just ahead of today's release of the board's
annual report, Philip Emafo signalled the federal government could
do more to make sure all parts of Canada respect the agreements.
>> Click
Here for Article
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HIV/AIDS Legal
Network reacts to UN criticism
LATEST REPORT FROM UNITED NATIONS DRUG CONTROL BODY
MISSES THE MARK INCB’s policy prescriptions are misguided and
dangerous TORONTO, March 4, 2008 — The latest
criticisms of Canada by the UN’s International Narcotics Control
Board (INCB) are misguided and undermine effective responses to HIV
and hepatitis C among people who use illegal drugs, the Canadian
HIV/AIDS Legal Network said today. "Yet again, the INCB shows itself
to be dangerously blinkered by ideology and out of step with common
sense, good science and sound public policy when it comes to dealing
with drugs," said Executive Director Richard Elliott. "The Board
refuses to recognize that drug use is primarily a public health
issue, requiring a public health response. It continues to urge more
of the same ‘war on drugs’ that has failed so spectacularly, rather
than supporting services that have proven to be effective in
protecting and promoting the health of communities and of some of
the most marginalized people in Canada."
>> Click
Here for Media Release
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More Science Less
Silence
Since its creation in 2005, International Rectal
Microbicide Advocates (irma) has seen significant growth
and success. From a handful of advocates, irma has built a network
of well over 500 advocates, researchers, and policy makers from 40
countries on six continents. irma has
released an update on the state of rectal microbocide development in
an attempt to: Serve as an authoritative reference on recent
developments and current efforts in rectal microbicide research; •
Illustrate key advocacy goals and strategies; • Provide a
description of the resources and activities of irma; and, • Inspire
people working in HIV prevention, whether in advocacy,
research, policy or funding, to become involved in rectal
microbicide advocacy and research.
>> Click
Here for Document
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WHO Releases
Report on Global Scale of Drug-Resistant TB
(Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS
Report) Drug-resistant tuberculosis
accounts for about one in every 20 new cases of TB diagnosed
worldwide, and the number is closer to one in every five cases in
some parts of the former Soviet Union, according to a World Health Organization report released Tuesday,
the Washington Post reports (Brown,
Washington Post, 2/27). The report, titled
"Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance in the World," estimates that
there are about 500,000 new cases of multi-drug resistant TB
annually, or about 5% of the nine million total new TB cases each
year (Maugh, Los Angeles Times, 2/27). The report
includes data collected between 2002 and 2006 from 90,000 people
living with TB in 81 countries. It recorded the highest numbers of
MDR-TB and found that extensively drug-resistant TB, which is
resistant to the two most potent first-line treatments and some of
the available second-line drugs, has been recorded in 45 countries
worldwide.
>> Click
Here for Article
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HIV infections to
soar by 75 per cent - Australia
(Adam Crestwell - news.com) HIV
infection rates are forecast to soar by nearly 75 per cent in parts
of Australia over the next seven years, fuelled by a rise in unsafe
sex between men. An analysis of infection rates in the eastern
states has shown that if trends continue, infections will rise by
73.5 per cent in Victoria, and by almost 20per cent in Queensland,
by 2015. However, in NSW – originally the state worst
affected by the HIV epidemic – the number of new cases is predicted
to fall over the next seven years. The report, released by the
University of NSW, studied the 44 per cent increase in the number of
new annual HIV cases nationally in men who have sex with men from
1999 to 2006.
>> Click
Here for Article
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9th Annual Alberta
Harm Reduction Conference
Who Cares? Valuing Life and
Health
9th Annual Conference
Planning Underway
The 9th
Annual Alberta Harm Reduction Conference planning is underway. The
date has been set for March 26th & 27th, 2008 in Red Deer,
Alberta. This event will continue to lead some of the most
progressive harm reduction education and skill transfer
opportunities in the country.
Venue: Capri Hotel and
Convention Centre Click
Here for More Info or to Register
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2008 Western
Canadian 8th Biennial Sexual Health Conference
MOVING UPSTREAM: INTEGRATING SEXUAL HEALTH PROMOTION with
STI/HIV
May 1 & 2, 2008 at Lister Hall, University of
Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Keynote Speaker: Stephen
Lewis Click
Here for More Info or to Register
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XVII International
AIDS Conference (AIDS 2008)
México City, México from 3-8 August 2008.
AIDS 2008 will be the first International AIDS
Conference ever held in Latin America, and international planning
committees are already hard at work developing an exciting
programme. With over 25,000 participants and 3,000 international
media expected, the eyes of the world will be upon México City next
summer. Be a part of AIDS 2008 and help us ensure the conference has
a lasting impact throughout Latin America, as well as
globally. Click
Here for More Info or to Register
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