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CBS News
21 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
Trump administration ending multiple HIV vaccine studies, scientists and officials say
The Trump administration has moved to end funding for a broad swath of HIV vaccine research, saying current approaches are enough to counter the virus, multiple scientists and federal health officials say. Notifications that the funding would not be extended were relayed Friday to researchers, who were told by National Institutes of Health officials that the Department of Health and Human Services had elected "to go with currently available approaches to eliminate HIV" instead. The cuts will shutter two major HIV vaccine research efforts that were first funded by the NIH in 2012 at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute and the Scripps Research Institute, multiple scientists said. A spokesperson for Moderna said the vaccine manufacturer's clinical trials through the NIH's HIV Vaccine Trials Network have also been put on pause. One senior NIH official said the HHS had also instructed the agency not to issue any more funding in the next fiscal year for HIV vaccine research, with only a small handful of exceptions. A budgetary rule change specifically targeted at HIV vaccine research is also expected to lead to another cut to the NIH's awards for studies initiated by scientists, an official said. The change, to be finalized shortly, inflates the accounting for the upfront cost of studies into HIV vaccines funded by the agency. Instead of the cost of a five-year grant being spread out over five years, the NIH plans to make HIV vaccine dollars from multi-year grants all count toward a single year, the official said, making it harder for them to get funded. A spokesperson for HHS told CBS News that "complex and duplicative health programs have resulted in serious duplication of efforts," saying that "27 separate programs that address HIV/AIDS" had spent $7.5 billion. "The Administration believes the United States should have the best medical research in the world. To that end, we are advancing policies to maximize the impact of every federal taxpayer dollar and ensure proper oversight of this funding," HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard said. Hilliard claimed "critical HIV/AIDS programs will continue" under the new agency that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed creating, dubbed the Administration for a Healthy America. "For HIV vaccine design and development, we've begun to see light at the end of the tunnel after many years of research. This is a terrible time to cut it off. We're beginning to get close. We're getting good results out of clinical trials," said Dennis Burton, an immunology professor at Scripps Research. Burton warned that their HIV vaccine research could not simply be turned back on, even if a future administration decided to change course on HIV funding. He said ongoing experiments would be shuttered, and researchers assembled to study the issue would be forced to refocus their careers on other topics. "This is a decision with consequences that will linger. This is a setback of probably a decade for HIV vaccine research," Burton said. The cancellation of the funds comes weeks ahead of the Food and Drug Administration's June 19 deadline for deciding on approval of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable drug to prevent HIV. The drug, which is being brought to the commercial market by drugmaker Gilead Sciences, builds on NIH-backed research into earlier HIV medications. The drug's availability could lead to a significant drop in HIV cases worldwide, since a study found it was 100% effective in preventing transmission. An NIH official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, rebuked the claim that the effectiveness of current HIV prevention strategies meant a vaccine was no longer needed. "The only way of ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and AIDS pandemic worldwide" is with a vaccine, they said. Developing an effective HIV vaccine has been an elusive target for researchers, though scientists have hailed recent breakthroughs in the field. "HIV has established roadblocks to us fighting it off, which are unparalleled in vaccinology. We've had to learn what each of the roadblocks are and to devise ways to overcome it. This virus mutates so quickly," said Duke professor of medicine Dr. Barton Ford Haynes, who is part of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute. Haynes said their work was essentially combining multiple different vaccines as part of their approach to designing an effective HIV vaccine. He praised lenacapavir as a "wonderful development for the field," but said there was still a need for a vaccine. Lenacapavir requires injections every six months to remain effective, a challenging proposition even before steep cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's domestic HIV programs and U.S.-backed HIV/AIDS foreign aid programs. "The hope was that adding an HIV vaccine to all the preventive measures that we have would finally allow us to end the pandemic," Haynes said.
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
U.S. moms are experiencing a sharp decline in mental health
Mothers in the U.S. are facing more widespread mental health struggles. That's according to a new study published by JAMA Internal Medicine, out this week. The research, which took place from 2016 to 2023, showed mental health declining, as self-reported by respondents. Of the 198,417 female parents of children 17 and under who were surveyed, only 25.8% reported 'excellent' mental health in 2023. Just eight years earlier, 38.4% could say the same. Mothers who described their mental health as 'good' rose from 18.8% to 26.1%, but so did those who describe it as fair/poor, which went from 5.5% to 8.5%. Mothers reported lower rates of 'excellent' physical health, too, which went from 28% to 23.9%. 'Good' physical health rose from 24.3% to 28.1%, and 'fair/poor' physical health didn't change significantly. It's certainly not the first time we've heard about parental mental health worsening in recent years. In 2024, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy published a stark warning on the decline of parental mental health in America. 'Forty-one percent of parents say that most days they are so stressed they cannot function, and 48% say that most days their stress is completely overwhelming compared to other adults (20% and 26%, respectively),' Murthy wrote in the study. However, according to the new research, moms' mental health is declining more than dads'. The mothers who reported 'fair/poor' mental health were four percentage points higher than the fathers. Unsurprisingly, the survey showed that when it comes to maternal mental health, socioeconomic factors play a big role. 'Mental health declines occurred across all socioeconomic subgroups; however, mental and physical health status was significantly lower for single female parents, those with lower educational attainment, and those with publicly insured children,' the authors noted in the study. Financial struggles are deepening for many demographics. However, parents face issues like rising childcare costs, the growing cost of feeding a family due to inflation and the impact of tariffs, as well as a challenging job market and economic uncertainty. The latest research on the cost of raising a young child is troubling, too, as it has skyrocketed to around $300,000 —an increase of 36% since 2023. Likewise, it now takes a salary of about $180,000 per year to comfortably afford childcare, according to a 2025 analysis from the National Women's Law Center. Those high costs have been driving some parents, most commonly moms, to stay home. However, given that most families need two incomes to get by, they aren't just child-rearing at home, they're also working. That means more stay-at-home moms are essentially doing two jobs at once, creating a potential firestorm of stress.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
The 2 key eating habits to trigger weight loss revealed – and you don't even need to change what you eat
Katrina Turrill Published: Invalid Date, THE key to weight loss might not be what you eat, but in fact WHEN you eat. When you eat breakfast and dinner could lead to a healthier body weight over time, say scientists. Researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) found eating breakfast early and extending your overnight fast by also eating dinner early can help you keep your weight in check. The study tracked more than 7,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 65. Back in 2018, they answered detailed questions about their diet, lifestyle, meal times, and body measurements. Five years later, more than 3,000 of them returned for a follow-up to provide updated health information. 'Our results, in line with other recent studies, suggest that extending the overnight fast could help maintain a healthy weight if accompanied by an early dinner and an early breakfast, explained Luciana Pons-Muzzo, researcher at ISGlobal at the time of the study. "We think this may be because eating earlier in the day is more in line with circadian rhythms and allows for better calorie burning and appetite regulation, which can help maintain a healthy weight. "However, it is too soon to draw definitive conclusions, so recommendations will have to wait for more robust evidence." The researchers found notable differences when looking at the data by gender. On average, women had lower BMIs than men and were more likely to follow the Mediterranean diet - a way of eating based on the traditional cuisine of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, emphasising plant-based foods and healthy fats, and recommended for its health benefits. They also tended to drink less alcohol and take on more household or care giving responsibilities. I lost almost a stone in just six days and here's the exact list of delicious meals I ate which never left me hungry Restricting your eating window to a specific time each day or week and abstaining from food for the rest of the time is known as intermittent fasting. Emerging evidence suggests it goes beyond weight loss, offering potential benefits for metabolic health, athletic performance, and even slowing the progression of certain diseases. But fasting and skipping breakfast could have a detrimental impact on health. Looking at the results of their analysis, the researchers were struck by a small group of men whose first meal of the day was after 2pm and who, on average, fasted for 17 hours. Compared to other participants, this group of men tended to have less healthy lifestyles (were more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, do less physical activity, and had less adherence to the Mediterranean diet). 'There are different ways of practising what is known as 'intermittent fasting' and our study relates to one of them, which is overnight fasting, says Camille Lassale, ISGlobal researcher and senior co-author of the study. "What we observed in a subgroup of men who do intermittent fasting by skipping breakfast is that this practice has no effect on body weight. "Other intervention studies in participants with obesity have shown that this tactic is no more effective than reducing calorie intake in reducing body weight in the long term." When practising intermittent fasting, remember to prioritise staying hydrated, choose a suitable approach for your lifestyle, and focus on healthy eating during your eating window. Consider starting with a 12-hour fast and gradually increasing the duration as needed. It's also important to be mindful of potential side effects like fatigue and dizziness, and to consult with a doctor, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. What are the health benefits of fasting? Weight loss Fasting can promote weight loss by reducing calorie intake and potentially increasing fat burning. Improved blood sugar control Fasting can help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, potentially reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Metabolic changes Fasting can alter metabolic processes, making the body more efficient at utilising fuel and potentially improving lipid profiles (cholesterol). Improved cognitive function Some studies suggest that fasting may enhance cognitive function, learning, memory, and alertness. Neuroprotective effects Fasting has been linked to neuroprotective properties, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Potential for increased longevity Research suggests that fasting may be associated with increased lifespan and a delay in age-related diseases. Heart health Fasting may positively impact heart health by reducing blood pressure and improving cardiovascular function. Improved gut health Fasting can influence gut microbiota, potentially improving gut health and immunity.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Common daily vitamin could slow biological aging, major study suggests
Vitamin D might be doing more than just supporting bone health — it could also help the body age slower, according to a new study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham (MGB) and the Medical College of Georgia. The study, published this month in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reveals that taking vitamin D supplements may protect against biological aging by slowing the shortening of telomeres, the tiny caps on DNA that naturally erode as people grow older. Conducted as part of a nationwide four-year trial, the study tracked over 1,000 U.S. adults (men over 50 and women over 55) and found that daily vitamin D3 could reduce biological wear and tear, equivalent to nearly three years of aging, according to a press release from MGB. Participants were randomly assigned to take either a placebo or a daily dose of vitamin D3 (2,000 IU) and omega-3 fatty acids (1 gram). Telomere length in white blood cells was measured at the start of the study, at the two-year mark and after four years. Compared to the placebo group, those taking vitamin D3 had significantly less telomere shortening, the researchers found. In contrast, omega-3 supplements "had no significant effect on telomere length throughout follow-up," the team reported. This was the first large-scale, long-term randomized trial to show that vitamin D supplements protect telomeres, according to co-author JoAnn Manson, M.D., the Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women's Health at Harvard Medical School. "This is of particular interest because VITAL (the trial) has also shown benefits of vitamin D in reducing inflammation and lowering risks of selected chronic diseases of aging, such as advanced cancer and autoimmune disease," Manson said in the release. Telomeres act like protective tips at the ends of chromosomes, similar to the plastic ends of shoelaces, according to the researchers. They "prevent chromosome ends from degrading or fusing with other chromosomes." Over time, these DNA caps shorten, which is a natural part of aging and is linked to a higher risk of age-related diseases. Because of this, scientists view telomere length as a marker of "biological age," which may better reflect a person's health status than their actual age in years. Earlier phases of the trial showed that vitamin D supplementation could reduce inflammation and lower the risk of certain chronic age-related conditions, such as advanced cancers and autoimmune diseases, Manson noted. While the new telomere findings don't prove that vitamin D slows aging across the board, researchers say it points to a potentially powerful way to protect the body at the cellular level. "Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter the biological aging process, although further research is warranted," said first author Dr. Haidong Zhu, a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia, in the release. Previous research suggested vitamin D could reduce inflammation and lower the risk of some age-related diseases. The research team emphasized that more work is needed to determine how vitamin D impacts aging in different populations and whether these effects endure over longer timeframes. For more Health articles, visit Before starting a new supplement regimen, experts recommend consulting with a healthcare provider to discuss proper dosage and potential risks.
Medscape
23-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Cold Sore Virus Implicated in Alzheimer's Disease
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), but treating the viral infection may offer protection, a new study found. In a matched case-control study of nearly 700,000 older adults, HSV-1 was more common in those with AD, and antiviral therapy for HSV-1 was associated with a lower risk of developing AD. However, the authors and outside experts cautioned that no firm conclusions can be drawn from this observational study and called for more research. The study was published online on May 20 in BMJ Open . It was funded by Gilead Sciences, which is actively involved in the research and development of treatments for HSV. Mixed Data HSV-1, a common virus that causes cold sores, affects more than two thirds of the global population younger than 50 years. An association between HSV-1 and AD has been reported previously, albeit with conflicting results across various studies. One recent Taiwanese cohort study found that symptomatic HSV infection was associated with a threefold increased risk of developing dementia. Antiherpetic medication reduced the risk by 90%. However, a study of US veterans failed to link HSV infection with an increased risk for dementia. Although, like the Taiwanese findings, antiherpetic medication was associated with a protective effect against dementia. To investigate further, researchers led by Yunhao Liu, PhD, data scientist with Gilead Sciences, used the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus claims database to match 344,628 people with AD to an equal number of control individuals without AD. Compared with 823 (0.24%) control individuals without an AD diagnosis, 1507 (0.44%) individuals diagnosed with AD had a history of HSV-1. Among those with AD, nearly two thirds were women (65%), their mean age was 73 years, and they tended to have more coexisting conditions. After adjusting for relevant confounding factors, the likelihood of an HSV-1 diagnosis was 80% higher in those with AD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.80; 95% CI, 1.65-1.96). In a stratified analysis, the association of HSV-1 with AD was more pronounced in older age groups — with an aOR of 2.10 in those aged 75 years or older vs an aOR of 1.14 in those aged 50-70 years. 'These findings are consistent with studies suggesting that the neurodegenerative impact of HSV-1 becomes more apparent with age and cumulative exposures,' the authors noted. Among the 2330 adults with a history of HSV-1, 931 (40%) were treated with antiherpetic medication, which was associated with a 17% reduced risk for AD compared with no treatment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74-0.92). 'While the molecular mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, these results are indicative of a possible role for antiherpetic therapy in mitigating dementia risk,' the authors wrote. Caveats and Cautionary Notes F. Perry Wilson, MD, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Medscape's Impact Factor commentator, noted in a recent commentary that studies that use administrative data have limitations and said the author's suggestion that antiherpetic therapies are potentially protective for AD-related dementia 'feels like a bit of a leap to me at this point.' On the other hand, Wilson said, 'for those who suffer from cold sores, a study like this may push you a bit toward treatment, at least during an outbreak. Short-term valacyclovir is relatively safe and reduces the duration of the cold sore by about a day, which is nice. But if it reduces your risk of dementia as well, well, it might be a no-brainer.' Several outside experts also weighed in on the study in a statement from the UK nonprofit Science Media Centre. Sheona Scales, PhD, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, Cambridge, England, cautioned that 'despite the large sample size, this research has limitations partly due to only using health records and administrative claims data.' 'Most people infected with HSV-1 don't have any symptoms, so some infections might not have been recorded. Infections predating the information recorded are also not available. Although cases were matched with controls, diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, especially in the early stages, remains a challenge,' Scales commented. While the study found that some people receiving medicines to treat HSV-1 infections had a lower risk for AD, 'a lot more work is needed to unpick this,' she added. 'We know there are 14 established risk factors for dementia, and there's not enough evidence to include infections in this list. This study doesn't tell us if infections are causing the risk, it only shows an association. Further research is needed to understand what the underlying biology around this is,' Scales said. Tara Spires-Jones, PhD, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, said the study adds to a growing body of data linking HSV-1 and other viral infections to the risk for AD. However, 'it is important to note that HSV-1 infection, which is extremely common in the population, is by no means a guarantee that someone will develop Alzheimer's,' Spires-Jones noted. 'Why viral infections may increase risk of dementia is not fully understood, but the most likely explanation is that infections increase inflammation in the body and contribute to age-related brain inflammation. More research is needed to understand the best way to protect our brains from Alzheimer's disease as we age, including a better understanding of links between viral infection and Alzheimer's risk,' Spires-Jones said. Richard Oakley, PhD, director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer's Society, London, England, cautioned that the study 'doesn't prove that cold sores cause Alzheimer's disease, or that antivirals prevent it. Much more research is needed to explore exactly how viruses might be involved and before we can draw firm conclusions.'
