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Human Blood May Contain A Cure For AIDS
Lisandro writes "German scientists at the University of Ulm have identified a natural ingredient of human blood that prevents the HIV-1 virus from from infecting immune cells and multiplying. The molecule, which they call virus-inhibitory peptide (VIRIP), promises new types of effective treatment for HIV in the future. 'Tweaks to its amino acid components boosted its anti-HIV potency by two orders of magnitude. Tests also showed that some derivatives of the molecule are highly stable in human blood plasma, and non-toxic even at very high concentrations. A synthetic version of VIRIP also proved effective at blocking HIV, excluding the possibility that some other factor was responsible. VIRIP targets a sugar molecule which HIV uses to infect a host cell. '"
"A new protein, comprising of 4 amino acids, has been discovered that can repel the HIV virus. The first acid enrages the virus by continuing making annoying noises from the back of a truck, while the second drives the truck away from the virus just quick enough for it not to be able to catch up. The third acid distracts the virus by dressing in a clown suit, while the fourth sneaks up behind it and gives it an atomic wedgie."
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This just in - President Roslin has confirmed that Cylon blood can temporarily cure cancer! Ahh, blood - is there anything it can't do? Huxley