Scientific American: Penis Microbes Linked to Increased Risk of HIV Infection
By Matthew Sedacca
In recent years scientists studying genital microbiomes have focused on the possible connection between HIV incidence in men and the penile microbiome, the community of microorganisms living on the penis.
ASPPH: Anti-Gay Laws Hinder HIV Prevention Efforts, PEPFAR Misses Ample Opportunity
In Nigeria, anti-gay laws can lead to punishments including 14 years in prison or even death by stoning. Gay men and women are banned from holding meetings or organizing in groups, and anyone who supports the union of a gay couple could spend a decade behind bars.
The Washington Times: Women's Bacteria Thwarted Attempt at Anti-HIV Vaginal Gel
By Lauran Neergaard
Creating new HIV prevention tools for women has proven frustratingly slow and researchers have found another hurdle: bacteria in the reproductive tract.
A new study published Thursday examined what stalled an early attempt at an anti-HIV gel, and found certain types of vaginal bacteria broke down the protective medication before it had time to work.
SPH Close Up: Nuttada Panpradist, Global WACh Certificate Student
By Ashlie Chandler; this story originally appeared on the SPH website.
Unable to find work in the male-dominated field of chemical engineering in her home country of Thailand, Nuttada Panpradist changed course and, in the process, discovered a passion for global health and innovation.
Healio: Oral PrEP Protective in Women with Bacterial Vaginosis
By Gerard Gallagher
Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, for HIV prevention has a similar efficacy in women with “abnormal” vs. “normal” vaginal microbiota, according to recent findings.
Global WACh Announces New Scientific Priorities
The Global Center for Woman, Adolescent, and Child health completed its fifth year in June 2016. A Center within the Department of Global Health, it was established to pursue scientific discovery and leadership development by breaking down traditional silos that separate disciplines. Their approach to research was framed from a lifecycle perspective -- one that views women, children and adolescents as interconnected populations that move along a shared life course.
In February Global WACh introduced three newly articulated scientific priority areas:
Fred Hutch: Keith Jerome, Collaborators Awarded AmfAR Grant for HIV Cure Research
By Mary Engel
A Fred Hutch and University of Washington team of virologists and bioengineers led by Dr. Keith Jerome has received a $200,000 grant — the first phase of up to $1.5 million in milestone-driven funding over four years — to develop nanocarrier technology to deliver therapies to reservoirs of dormant, HIV-infected cells.
Principles of STD/HIV Research Course Accepting Applications
The University of Washington Department of Global Health and the Center for AIDS and STD Research are accepting applications for the 25th Annual Principles of STD/HIV Research Course. The course will be held July 17-July 27, 2017 at UW in Seattle, Washington.
CATCH Study Aims to Treat Children Living with HIV Before Symptoms Appear
The HIV Counseling and Testing for Children at Home (CATCH) study is concluding its final study after several years of conducting research in various parts of Kenya. The study does exactly as it name suggests — it tries to “catch” children who may be living with HIV but are still asymptomatic and tries to treat them. CATCH works by directly approaching parents who are already in treatment directly and asking if they want to have their children tested.