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We\\u2019re 40 years into the AIDS pandemic, and even with massive public health campaigns, still, 1 \\xbd million become infected with HIV each year; about half that number die of its ravages. And a study just out shows that this well-understood virus can still take on more worrying forms as a new variant has been uncovered. Although the total number of cases involved is small, and the new variant is as treatable as earlier strains, the finding underlines that viruses can become more infectious and more virulent.
Back in October 2020, before we had effective vaccines, 36 plucky volunteers agreed to be deliberately infected with SARS-CoV-2 in order to better understand the infection process and outcomes in what\\u2019s known as a human \\u201cchallenge\\u201d trial. Dr. Chris Chiu from Imperial College reveals what they\\u2019ve learned now the results of the study are in. We\\u2019ll hear about a new plastic that\\u2019s stronger than steel and as many gardeners have long suspected, \\u2013 spring-flowering has over many years been occurring earlier and earlier, at least according to a new UK study. We discuss the implications for the ecosystem.
Presenter: Roland Pease\\nProducers: Julian Siddle and Rami Tzabar
(Image: 3D illustration of HIV virus. Credit: Artem Egorov/Getty Images)
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