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Bacterial Communication: Finding The Constant
The Rosetta Stone of bacterial communication may have been found.

Many Americans Support Increased Domestic Funding To Address HIV/AIDS, Report Says
Many Americans support increased funding to address HIV/AIDS in the U.S. according to a report released Wednesday for the National AIDS Coordinating Committee with support from the MAC AIDS Fund, Reuters Health reports.The report -- titled "Impressions of HIV/AIDS in America: A Report on Conversations With People Throughout the Country" -- aimed to provide a better understanding of perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS among average U.S. residents. For the report, researchers interviewed "people in five focus groups, which featured a cross-section of Americans living in urban, suburban and rural settings. Several experts in HIV/AIDS also contributed to the report," according to Reuters. Focus group participants were generally supportive of increased domestic funding for HIV/AIDS programs, particularly prevention, education and vaccine research programs. The report found that HIV/AIDS has fallen "off the radar" of many Americans but that many people are sympathetic to HIV-positive people. The report also found that some people continue to attach a stigma to HIV and do not understand how the virus is transmitted. Many participants also said HIV-positive people have "risky lifestyles," the report found. "Many people we spoke with had inconsistent views of HIV/AIDS," lead researcher Jonathan Rochkind said, adding, "Even though most people were aware of the primary ways HIV is transmitted, when presented with the idea of being in casual contact with people who are HIV-positive, they often said it was a possibility HIV could be transmitted that way and that they were concerned about the risk." Rebecca Haag, CEO and president of the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, said the report "highlights the empathy people have for those living with HIV/AIDS, and an understanding that access to medical care and drug treatment is critical." Haag added, "Unfortunately, the reality in this country is that about one-half of those living with HIV/AIDS are not in care and treatment" (Reuters Health, 5/13).
News of the day
BIO Comments On White House Letter On Biosimilars
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood issued the following statement regarding the letter sent yesterday from the Obama Administration to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman regarding biosimilars:
Mental Health

Maine CDC Issues Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Advisory For Those Opening Their Summer Camps, USA

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is issuing an advisory about the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning when people open camps for the summer. Health officials urge camp owners to make sure their propane-fueled stoves and/or refrigerators are operating properly and safely when turned on for the season. They should also make sure they have a working carbon monoxide detector close to where people sleep. "Last spring we saw several poisonings in which family members were exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide because of poorly maintained gas-fueled appliances. Some of these poisonings were life-threatening," said State Toxicologist Dr. Andrew Smith. Though early in the season, state health officials have already investigated two camp-related incidents involving carbon monoxide poisoning. The Maine CDC recently made carbon monoxide poisoning a reportable disease and now investigates the causes of all reported poisonings. "Tgus change in reporting will help us identify the causes of carbon monoxide poisonings so we can better inform the public about ways to prevent these hazards," said Smith said. Each year, there are more than 100 emergency department admissions in Maine due to carbon monoxide poisoning, with between one and five deaths. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless colorless gas emitted when burning most fuels. Improper venting, maintenance, operation or placement of combustion devices can result in poisoning when CO gas builds up in enclosed spaces. CO interferes with the delivery of oxygen to body tissues. Warning signs of CO poisoning are flu-like symptoms, including headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion, but no fever. CO poisoning can cause coma and death. "The best way to prevent CO poisoning is to make sure combustion devices are well-maintained, regularly serviced, and operated properly," said State Health Officer Dr. Dora Anne Mills. "A carbon monoxide detector with back-up battery power should be placed near every sleeping area." The Maine State Legislature passed a new law this session that requires carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in all apartments and new single-family dwellings. Detectors are also required in existing single-family dwellings whenever there is a transfer of ownership or the addition of at least one new bedroom. For information on the new State law requiring carbon monoxide detectors, click here. Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention


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