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Editorial: Ridding the world of AIDS
EDITORIAL
Suddenly there is hope that HIV can be defeated Considering how bleak things looked a year ago, it is amazing to hear the word eradication
circulating levels of the virus to almost zero, it would stop people passing it on through sex. By blocking the cycle of infection in this way, the virus could be virtually eradicated by 2050. Bankrolling such a long-term programme would cost serious money – initially around $3.5 billion a year in South Africa alone, rising to $85 billion in total. Huge as it sounds, however, it is peanuts compared with the estimated $1.9 trillion cost of the Iraq war, or the $700 billion spent in one go propping up the US banking sector. It also looks small beer compared with the costs of carrying on as usual, which the WHO says can only lead to spiralling cases and costs.
AFTER 25 years battling the mother of all viruses, have we finally got the measure of HIV? Three developments featured in this issue collectively give grounds for optimism that would have been scarcely believable a year “The cost of a mass HIV testing and treatment programme is peanuts ago in the wake of another failed vaccine and compared with the Iraq war” continuing problems supplying drugs to all who need them. Perhaps the most compelling hope lies in The final bit of good news is that the cost the apparent “cure” of a man with HIV who of ART could keep on falling. Last Friday, had also developed leukaemia. Doctors treated GlaxoSmithKline chairman Andrew Witty said his leukaemia with a bone marrow transplant that his company would offer all its medicines that also vanquished the virus (see page 8). to the poorest countries for at least 25 per cent Now US company Sangamo Biosciences is less than the typical price in rich countries hoping to emulate the effect using gene (see page 6). GSK has already been doing this therapy. If it works, and that is still a big if, it for ART, but the hope is that the company may would open up the possibility of patients now offer it cheaper still and that other firms being cured with a single shot of gene therapy, will follow their lead. instead of taking antiretroviral drugs for life. No one doubts the devastation caused by Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is itself another AIDS. In 2007, 2 million people died and reason for optimism. Researchers at the World 2.7 million more contracted the virus. Those Health Organization have calculated that HIV dismal numbers are not going to turn around could be effectively eradicated in Africa and soon – and they won’t turn around at all other hard-hit places using existing drugs. The without huge effort and investment. But at trick is to test everyone often, and give those least there is renewed belief that, given the who test positive ART as soon as possible (see time and money, we can finally start ridding page 38). Because the drugs rapidly reduce the world of this most fearsome of viruses. ■
Now even space is brimming with trash LAST week’s high-speed collision between a defunct Russian satellite and an operational US one was the first time two intact satellites have crashed in orbit. It won’t be the last. Such events are now inevitable. Space debris is increasing as more and more satellites reach the end of their working lives. There is not a lot we can do about what is already up there, but we should at least stop adding to the problem. So it is good to hear that NASA, ESA and similar bodies are now pressing operators to ensure new satellites either burn up as soon as possible at the ends of their lives, or are moved to safer “graveyard” orbits. Such measures are not cheap. But in a world that increasingly relies on satellites for everything from communication to climate monitoring, we can’t afford to do nothing. ■
Restless or unrested? STIMULANTS are the last thing you would want to give to a person suffering from a lack of sleep, yet that may be what is happening to some kids diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In some cases, what looks like ADHD is actually a behavioural problem linked to an undiagnosed sleep disorder (see page 34). Instead of Ritalin, some kids just need an operation to clear their airways. With worries that Ritalin may be addictive in those who don’t have ADHD, the need to investigate thoroughly before reaching for drugs is clear. ■
What’s hot on NewScientist.com SPACE Satellite crash prediction Iridium and Cosmos satellites created an “unprecedented” debris field when they collided last week. We examine how the crash occurred, and how it could have been avoided. Plus: watch an animation of the spread of the debris. ENVIRONMENT Ocean survey reveals hundreds of ‘bipolar’ species Of the thousands of species that populate Antarctica
and the Arctic, it seems hundreds are found at both poles, despite the 11,000-kilometre gap between polar regions. How did they cross it? TECH Gadget guesses what you want from your grip Grab this new hand-held device like it’s a phone, and that’s what it becomes, but hold it like a camera and its ready to take snapshots. The gadget monitors the way it is held to predict what you are going to use it for. Watch a video demonstration.
INNOVATION Robotic faces… for humans Artificial muscles beneath the skin could make it possible for people with paralysis to regain full control of their eye blinks and facial expressions. The technique could one day reanimate paralysed hands, a new patent application claims. SPACE First gravity map of Moon’s far side unveiled The map shows that dark-side craters are different to those on the near side. The results could reveal more about the Moon
as it was billions of years ago, when magma flowed across its surface. BLOG Live from the ‘Olympics of science conferences’ Read our blogs from the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Chicago: from how computers are mastering a game with 10171 outcomes, to speculation on why human females don’t have puny brains. Find these articles and more at www. newscientist.com/article/dn16616
21 February 2009 | NewScientist | 5
Suddenly there is hope that HIV can be defeated Considering how bleak things looked a year ago, it is amazing to hear the word eradication
circulating levels of the virus to almost zero, it would stop people passing it on through sex. By blocking the cycle of infection in this way, the virus could be virtually eradicated by 2050. Bankrolling such a long-term programme would cost serious money – initially around $3.5 billion a year in South Africa alone, rising to $85 billion in total. Huge as it sounds, however, it is peanuts compared with the estimated $1.9 trillion cost of the Iraq war, or the $700 billion spent in one go propping up the US banking sector. It also looks small beer compared with the costs of carrying on as usual, which the WHO says can only lead to spiralling cases and costs.
AFTER 25 years battling the mother of all viruses, have we finally got the measure of HIV? Three developments featured in this issue collectively give grounds for optimism that would have been scarcely believable a year “The cost of a mass HIV testing and treatment programme is peanuts ago in the wake of another failed vaccine and compared with the Iraq war” continuing problems supplying drugs to all who need them. Perhaps the most compelling hope lies in The final bit of good news is that the cost the apparent “cure” of a man with HIV who of ART could keep on falling. Last Friday, had also developed leukaemia. Doctors treated GlaxoSmithKline chairman Andrew Witty said his leukaemia with a bone marrow transplant that his company would offer all its medicines that also vanquished the virus (see page 8). to the poorest countries for at least 25 per cent Now US company Sangamo Biosciences is less than the typical price in rich countries hoping to emulate the effect using gene (see page 6). GSK has already been doing this therapy. If it works, and that is still a big if, it for ART, but the hope is that the company may would open up the possibility of patients now offer it cheaper still and that other firms being cured with a single shot of gene therapy, will follow their lead. instead of taking antiretroviral drugs for life. No one doubts the devastation caused by Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is itself another AIDS. In 2007, 2 million people died and reason for optimism. Researchers at the World 2.7 million more contracted the virus. Those Health Organization have calculated that HIV dismal numbers are not going to turn around could be effectively eradicated in Africa and soon – and they won’t turn around at all other hard-hit places using existing drugs. The without huge effort and investment. But at trick is to test everyone often, and give those least there is renewed belief that, given the who test positive ART as soon as possible (see time and money, we can finally start ridding page 38). Because the drugs rapidly reduce the world of this most fearsome of viruses. ■
Now even space is brimming with trash LAST week’s high-speed collision between a defunct Russian satellite and an operational US one was the first time two intact satellites have crashed in orbit. It won’t be the last. Such events are now inevitable. Space debris is increasing as more and more satellites reach the end of their working lives. There is not a lot we can do about what is already up there, but we should at least stop adding to the problem. So it is good to hear that NASA, ESA and similar bodies are now pressing operators to ensure new satellites either burn up as soon as possible at the ends of their lives, or are moved to safer “graveyard” orbits. Such measures are not cheap. But in a world that increasingly relies on satellites for everything from communication to climate monitoring, we can’t afford to do nothing. ■
Restless or unrested? STIMULANTS are the last thing you would want to give to a person suffering from a lack of sleep, yet that may be what is happening to some kids diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In some cases, what looks like ADHD is actually a behavioural problem linked to an undiagnosed sleep disorder (see page 34). Instead of Ritalin, some kids just need an operation to clear their airways. With worries that Ritalin may be addictive in those who don’t have ADHD, the need to investigate thoroughly before reaching for drugs is clear. ■
What’s hot on NewScientist.com SPACE Satellite crash prediction Iridium and Cosmos satellites created an “unprecedented” debris field when they collided last week. We examine how the crash occurred, and how it could have been avoided. Plus: watch an animation of the spread of the debris. ENVIRONMENT Ocean survey reveals hundreds of ‘bipolar’ species Of the thousands of species that populate Antarctica
and the Arctic, it seems hundreds are found at both poles, despite the 11,000-kilometre gap between polar regions. How did they cross it? TECH Gadget guesses what you want from your grip Grab this new hand-held device like it’s a phone, and that’s what it becomes, but hold it like a camera and its ready to take snapshots. The gadget monitors the way it is held to predict what you are going to use it for. Watch a video demonstration.
INNOVATION Robotic faces… for humans Artificial muscles beneath the skin could make it possible for people with paralysis to regain full control of their eye blinks and facial expressions. The technique could one day reanimate paralysed hands, a new patent application claims. SPACE First gravity map of Moon’s far side unveiled The map shows that dark-side craters are different to those on the near side. The results could reveal more about the Moon
as it was billions of years ago, when magma flowed across its surface. BLOG Live from the ‘Olympics of science conferences’ Read our blogs from the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Chicago: from how computers are mastering a game with 10171 outcomes, to speculation on why human females don’t have puny brains. Find these articles and more at www. newscientist.com/article/dn16616
21 February 2009 | NewScientist | 5