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PARIS (AFP) — Scientists have mapped out the bit of molecular plumbing that allows the influenza virus to outwit front-line flu drugs, but disagree on exactly how it works, according to a pair of studies released Wednesday.

A detailed understanding of the tunnel-and-gate mechanism, called an ion-channel protein, could lead to new drugs that could block the reproduction of flu viruses inside host cells, the researchers said.

Some 500,000 people around the world die every year from seasonal Influenza A virus, which mutates slightly from one year to the next.

A virus is a sub-microscopic pathogen that can only reproduce inside a host cell. It is composed of discrete viral particles, each with its own RNA, called virions. Like DNA, RNA contains genetic code transferred during reproduction.

When a virion enters the lungs of a bird, a horse or a human, its membrane fuses …

Information provided by: Findarticles.com

GENEVA (AFP) — AIDS patients who take effective retroviral drugs do not pass on the virus even through unprotected sex, Switzerland’s state commission on the disease claimed on Wednesday.

Couples were one partner is HIV positive do not need to use a condom to prevent transmitting the disease, as long as retroviral therapy is followed regularly and has suppressed the virus in the blood for at least six months, the Federal AIDS Commission said in a report.

The patient must also be free of any other sexually-transmitted disease.

“These findings come from four different studies,” said Bernard Hirschel, co-author of the report and an HIV/AIDS specialist at Geneva’s University Hospital.

The claim sparked concern against AIDS charities who noted that the scientific research is focused on heterosexual couples and vaginal rather than anal sex.

One of the research studies was carried out in Spain from …

Information provided by: Findarticles.com