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February 17, 2012 The WHO upheld its guidelines on the safety of hormone injections for contraception yesterday, despite some data that users are at increased risk of HIV transmission. An expert panel says the evidence isn't solid yet, and at-risk couples should use a second method, like condoms, for HIV prevention.

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February 6, 2012 Condoms, vaginal films, jellies, foams and sponges containing the spermicide N-9 are widely available without a doctor's prescription. N-9 can increase the risk of HIV transmission in certain cases, but many consumers don't know that.

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January 31, 2012 The affected condoms — a government brand called Choice — were distributed early this month as part of the festivities marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the African National Congress.

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January 18, 2012 Under the rule, filmmakers would only get a permit to make a porn film if they require condoms on the set. The measure aims to reduce the transmission of disease. But some in the industry say the rule goes too far.

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January 6, 2012 The vaccine protected 80 percent of monkeys from infection with SIV, the simian version of HIV. By comparison, an experimental HIV vaccine was 31 percent effective in protecting people against infection in a large-scale study unveiled in 2009.

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December 28, 2011 AIDS researchers dealt the disease a major blow in 2011 by showing that antiviral drugs not only save the lives of infected people, they also stop them from spreading the virus.

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December 2, 2011 The cost to treat HIV-positive people in the developing world has dropped dramatically. And a key U.S. official says that the lower costs make it possible to treat many more people without increasing spending.

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December 1, 2011 Many activists praised President Obama's plans to expand U.S. efforts to fight AIDS at home and abroad. The announcement comes at a time when experts and activists believe that the goal of an "AIDS-free generation" may be achievable.

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November 30, 2011 Only 28 percent of the 1.2 million HIV-infected people in the U.S. are getting effective antiviral treatment, according to the CDC. Unless those treatment rates improve substantially, that could lead to another 1.2 million new HIV cases over the next 20 years, CDC says.

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November 16, 2011 A surge in demand for Tokay Geckos is leading to the "rapacious collection" of the animals in Southeast Asia," says a wildlife-protection group. Unsubstantiated claims of miracle cures from traditional medicines are helping fuel the demand.

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August 19, 2011 HIV isn't openly discussed in Middle Eastern societies. New data give a much clearer picture of its prevalence and how governments do and don't respond. We speak with one researcher who explains the challenges of studying a topic taboo in the region.

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July 19, 2011 Women on treatment outlive men, probably because men start treatment later, a study finds. But the success of HIV treatment in extending people's lives is far greater than many expected when antiviral drugs were first rolled out in Africa less than a decade ago.

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July 14, 2011 Results from studies conducted in Africa confirm that drugs against HIV can reduce the risk of transmission of the virus between heterosexual partners. But where and with whom should the approach be used?

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