Carolina in the News Carolina in the News: Friday, May 13, 2011
| Carolina in the News: Friday, May 13, 2011 |
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| Friday, May 13, 2011 | |
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Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media: International Coverage Early drug treatment greatly cuts spread of HIV Reuters (Wire Service) Men and women infected with the AIDS virus who take antiretroviral drugs immediately rather than waiting to become more ill dramatically cut the risk of infecting a sexual partner, U.S. researchers said on Thursday. ...Dr. Myron Cohen of the University of North Carolina, who led the study, said it was the first randomized clinical trial to definitively indicate that an HIV-infected individual can reduce sexual transmission of HIV to an uninfected partner by beginning antiretroviral therapy sooner. UNC Release: http://www.med.unc.edu/www/news/2011/may/unc-led-international-study-shows-early -treatment-with-antiretroviral-therapy-prevents-hiv-transmission/ UNC Spotlight: http://www.unc.edu/campus-updates/cohen Use of Antiretroviral Drug Could Prevent the Transmission of Virus to Partners The French Tribune (France) A recent study has claimed that the use of antiretroviral drugs could reduce the risk of transmitting the HIV virus to the partners by 96%. It was a large study carried out by the AIDS experts from Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The study involved mainly heterosexual couples in Africa, India and the Americas. ...Myron Cohen, Lead Investigator of the study said that the trails were designed to find out the benefits of using antiretroviral drugs for the partners of HIV patients and the results found that the drug was significantly beneficial. Early HIV therapy cuts virus spreadv The Times of India ...The US National Institutes for Health (NIH) trial, known as HPTN 052, found antiretroviral treatment to be 96 per cent effective in reducing sexual transmission of HIV. ...Led by study chair Myron Cohen, director of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the trial began in April 2005 and enrolled 1,763 couples, all at least 18 years of age. Related Links: http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/hiv/2011/05/breakthrough-early-arv-treatment-protects-partners-from -hiv-new-study-confirms/ http://gazettebw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9611:early-drug-therapy- curbs-hiv-transmission-study&catid=17:world-news&Itemid=2 National Coverage Anti-HIV drugs prove highly effective in preventing transmission of virus The Los Angeles Times In what is being hailed as a breakthrough in HIV prevention, a new study has shown that giving antiretroviral drugs to HIV-positive people can reduce transmission of the virus to partners by 96%, U.S. researchers said Thursday. Though some uncontrolled studies of populations had previously suggested that treatment of patients with antiretroviral drugs could slow transmission of the virus, the results announced by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases represent the first large clinical trial to confirm those suggestions — and they showed that the drugs are unexpectedly effective. ..."We were very, very surprised" by the magnitude of the reduction, said Dr. Myron Cohen of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who led the study. UNC Release: http://www.med.unc.edu/www/news/2011/may/unc-led-international-study-shows-early -treatment-with-antiretroviral-therapy-prevents-hiv-transmission/ UNC Spotlight: http://www.unc.edu/campus-updates/cohen Early H.I.V. Therapy Sharply Curbs Transmission The New York Times ...On Thursday, Dr. Fauci and Dr. Myron Cohen, an AIDS specialist from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the study’s director, announced that the data collected since the study began in 2005 had been “unblinded” to an independent safety review panel, which is standard procedure in clinical trials. When the panel realized how much protection early treatment afforded, it recommended that drug regimens be offered to all participants. Although participants will still be followed, the trial is effectively over because it will no longer be a comparison between two groups on different regimens. HIV drugs sharply cut risk of transmission, study finds The Washington Post AIDS researchers announced Thursday that a study conducted in nine countries has proved the long-standing hunch that HIV-infected people on treatment are much less likely to transmit the virus than people who aren’t taking the drugs. ...The leader of the study, Myron Cohen of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said the results are “probably generalizable” to all heterosexuals. But that’s not absolutely certain. Scientists See Breakthrough in the Global AIDS Battle The Wall Street Journal In a landmark finding that scientists say could help stem the global AIDS pandemic, researchers announced Thursday that treating HIV patients with AIDS drugs makes them strikingly less infectious. ...The $73 million study, conducted in nine countries, was funded by the National Institutes of Health and led by Myron Cohen, director of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Related Links: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/sexual-and-reproductive-health/articles/2011/ 05/12/early-hiv-drug-therapy-protects-sex-partners-from-virus http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/05/hiv-treatment-dramatically-preve.html?ref=hp http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/12/early-drug-treatment-greatly-cuts-spread-hiv/ War for American hearts and minds rages over Islam MSNBC ...Charles Kurzman, a professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says the clashes over Islam point to two powerful prevailing currents. “One trend is heightened alarm and suspicion on the part of people concerned about domestic security,” he said. “The other trend is increased assertiveness and political activism on the part of Muslim Americans.” Mind the gap: Genetic knowledge and medical power Science News Since the completion of the Human Genome Project a decade ago, much excitement has swirled around the possibility that determining a person’s genetic makeup could help doctors personalize the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. But James P. Evans, a physician and geneticist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says the promises of genomic medicine have been overblown. He talked with Science News molecular biology writer Tina Hesman Saey about the hope and hype. Regional Coverage Leveraging the power of higher education The Rochester Business Journal (New York) ...Although higher education's returns have been significant, the future holds even greater potential. Chancellor Holden Thorp and entrepreneurship professor Buck Goldstein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill describe in "Engines of Innovation" how universities are seeking to better promote entrepreneurship and harness its attendant value. State and Local Coverage UNC study finds way to slow spread of HIV The News & Observer (Raleigh) A multinational study headed by a UNC-Chapel Hill researcher has led to a discovery that could help slow the spread of HIV. Early treatment of heterosexual HIV patients with antiretroviral drugs sharply reduces the chances they will transmit the virus, according to results of the nine-nation study released Thursday. ...Dr. Myron Cohen, a professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology, and public health at UNC and director of the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, is the principal investigator of the study, which he designed and organized. UNC Release: http://www.med.unc.edu/www/news/2011/may/unc-led-international-study-shows-early -treatment-with-antiretroviral-therapy-prevents-hiv-transmission/ UNC Spotlight: http://www.unc.edu/campus-updates/cohen Preventing tobacco use pays off for N.C. (Opinion-Editorial Column) The News & Observer (Raleigh) Pending decisions by the legislature to eliminate the Health and Wellness Trust Fund and its tobacco programs must be reversed, stopped or vetoed. These programs are highly successful, save thousands of lives and lead to large health care savings. If the trust fund is eliminated, it will cost the state a magnitude more than any potential cost reductions. (Adam O. Goldstein, M.D., is a professor of medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill and director of the UNC Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program.) Drug shortages plaguing local hospitals The Triangle Business Journal Local hospitals are facing drug shortages that leave their pharmacists scrambling daily, forcing doctors to use alternatives that are not always a perfect match. ...In other hospitals, it’s the same story, says Maryann Oertel, clinical specialist with the Department of Pharmacy at UNC Health Care. Her hospital has 64 drugs listed on the “critical shortage list” among 90 total items being monitored. WakeMed wants to buy Rex Healthcare, Rex says it's not for sale WNCN-TV (NBC/Raleigh) ...Rex Healthcare Board Chairman Dale Jenkins said Rex is not for sale and is "comfortable with their position and their partnership with UNC." The UNC board met Thursday afternoon to evaluate the proposal. Jenkins said he hopes to respond to WakeMed "in short order." Related Link: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/05/13/1194344/wakemeds-bid-for-rex-pits-money.html Ross: Selling Rex Hospital a bad idea The Herald-Sun (Durham) UNC System President Tom Ross said he doesn't think selling Rex Hospital to WakeMed is in the best interest of the state. Ross made his comments in a statement Thursday in response to an offer by WakeMed to buy Rex for $750 million. UNC Health Care bought the hospital in 2000 for $290 million. Related Link: http://wunc.org/programs/news/archive/tba051311.mpsch@ffner3/view UNC fights to shield records The News & Observer (Raleigh) UNC-Chapel Hill plans to appeal a judge's order that requires the school to turn over phone records and parking tickets that a coalition of media organizations sought in the wake of an NCAA investigation of the Tar Heels' football program. UNC Statement: http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/4533/68/ |