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With the help of new scientific and technological developments , the HIV/Aids research community is increasingly turning to an ambitious goal: finding a cure for HIV/Aids. If the world is to get close to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal of reducing HIV infections and Aids-related deaths by 90% between 2010 and 2030, a cure for HIV/Aids would be a game changer. Much progress has been made during the 30 years in the fight against HIV/Aids. An HIV diagnosis is no longer the death sentence it was in the 1990s. Antiretroviral treatment – which targets and suppresses the replication of the virus within the body – means people living with HIV are able to live long, fulfilling lives , without the risk of spreading the HIV virus to others. However, even with antiretroviral treatments, living with HIV increases the risk of other serious health issues. All of this is ends up putting an economic burden on states, through increased healthcare spending and losses in workplace productivity. South Africa is a good example of a country that would benefit from the discovery of a cure. South Africa’s been providing free antiretrovirals through the public healthcare system since 2004 . It is the largest factor behind the 50% drop in the number of new HIV infections in South Africa from 2010 to 2021. But the programme is expensive. In 2023, South Africa’s total budget for HIV response was R30-billion (around US$1.5 billion). This amount includes funding from international sources, such as the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief , better known as Pepfar. Consider that the country’s total national healthcare budget for 2022/23 was approximately R64.5 billion (around US$3.5billion). Also, we never know when the external funding, or part of it, might dry up. Funding for HIV/Aids response is heavily dependent on political will and leadership . Recent political developments in high income countries, such as the US presidential election, would suggest a reluctance and even opposition towards pumping funds into healthcare beyond their own borders, and especially in Africa. I work in HIV prevention and cure research. My work focuses specifically on understanding interactions between HIV and the immune system and how these may be harnessed and translated for HIV prevention or cure. There is hope and optimism that HIV can be cured, with various strategies beginning to show some promise, with partial successes reported. Finding a cure Cure research is in its infancy, but there are exciting hints that gene therapy and immunotherapies might lead us to a cure. So far, there have been an seven people , worldwide, cured of HIV. They were persons living with HIV who developed cancer, and were treated for the cancer through bone marrow transplantation, a form of gene therapy, and this also led to elimination of HIV because the bone marrow transplants were from donors lacking HIV coreceptors – proteins on cell surfaces that viruses use to bind and enter cells. But a bone marrow transplant is a radical , expensive and often dangerous procedure . There is no way we can view it as an avenue for developing a cure when there is reliable ART on hand. In contrast, some strategies involving a combination of early treatment and immunotherapy are also showing some promise and these could be developed further for long-term control of HIV without antiretroviral therapy. While curing a viral infection is difficult, medical science is already able to eradicate some viral infections, such as hepatitis C . Others, such as the common cold and Covid-19 , are effectively eliminated by a well-functioning immune system. The challenge with HIV is that it locks into an individual’s DNA , making it particularly difficult to get rid of. It also mutates a lot , which is why it is so difficult to develop a vaccine against it. That has led us to explore why some people appear able to neutralise HIV when not taking antiretroviral therapy but on once-off or temporary therapy that boosts their immune system. This seems to happen in some people who are diagnosed with HIV early on in their infection and immediately go on ART, and then interrupt the treatment but simultaneously take the special immune-boosting treatments with antiviral properties. So far, the HIV research community is unable to predict who will react in this way, but the Africa Health Research Institute and the HIV Pathogenesis Programme, within the University of KwaZulu-Natal, are conducting research among a group of young women from a community in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with a high HIV infection rate. These young women are invited to participate in a socio-economic empowerment programme that has them attend a clinic twice weekly for training in basic computer skills, HIV prevention and other life skills. At each attendance, each woman is tested for HIV. If one is found to have acquired the HIV virus, she is immediately given a standard course of ART. After a while, immune-boosting therapies that include broadly neutralising antibodies are added, and then the woman is asked to stop ART treatment under strict monitoring to establish whether she is able to control the virus on her own. If not, she is immediately returned to ART. Of more than 2,500 attendees since the study began a decade ago, 108 have become HIV-positive. Of these 108 living with HIV, 20 are participating in the cure clinical trial. The study is ongoing , and our hope is that this strategy will lead to long-term control of the virus in the absence of ART in some of the women. This can then help us to better understand the immune mechanisms that may control the virus without antiretroviral therapy, and this could lead to a cure. Much work still needs to be done but finding a cure is important, especially for the 40-million people across the world living with HIV. The world is not on track to meet the UN goal of ending the HIV/Aids pandemic by 2030. While the rate of HIV infection has dropped remarkably, it is still much higher than the targets the global healthcare community has set itself. For example, in 2023 there were 1.3-million new HIV infections worldwide against a target of 500 000 to achieve the aim of nearly eradicating HIV by 2030. It is vital that HIV/Aids research continues in Africa because, while the incidence of HIV infection is reducing markedly , this status quo could change at any time and we could be back fighting a pandemic. It would be good to do so with better tools. Also, we must find a cure or vaccine that is tailored to Africa, where HIV is a young woman’s disease , while also seeking the same for the regions where HIV infection is rising – Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. We’re playing a long game, but there is definitely hope, and that is definitely something to celebrate.What spurs the capitalist economy? It is pure and simple greed. Or is it? The years between 1870 and 1900 in the U.S.A, for instance, were called the Gilded Age. Disparities between the rich and the poor grew exponentially in the period. However, new millionaires built extravagant abodes called the Newport mansions, and there were so many folk out there looking for jobs through political patronage. Those who supported the right side, got them. We could call what’s immediately past us, our own Gilded Age. We could also call it the age of unbridled excess. The nouveau riche flaunted their wealth, and most of them became wealthy through gaming of the system to their advantage. But the paradox of capitalism always has been that it is greed that to a great extent propels it forward. The rich are greedy, not because they want to feed their children. The grasping rich, want to flaunt their wealth, drive those monstrous Land Cruisers and buy those vanity number plates. They want mansions in foreign capitals, and insist on putting on a televised show even when they dole out for charity. The bottom line then is that, try as the Church and the Temple might, it is impossible to separate capitalism from greed. Greed is always present, but it sometimes grows exponentially and heightens the disparities between the rich and the poor to unimaginably toxic levels. That’s the type of greed that brought people on to the streets in this country in what was called the Aragalaya. 2022 was the culmination of years of unbridled greed in the form of a blowback against capitalist avarice and a political system that enabled it. DESIST In modern jargon, unbridled greed is sometimes known as neo-liberalism. However, though certainly most of the previous Governments kept to the neo-liberal dogma in the recent past, the greed was of a more personal nature. As stated, those who plundered, certainly didn’t do so to feed the children. They did so to show off conspicuous consumption. In society as a whole, this greed seemed to be duplicated on the part of the entrepreneur class, petty officialdom and the professional classes. If greed pervades all aspects of society, why should it be said that this greed was “neo-liberal greed?” There was no doubt that capitalism and more capitalism drove greed. We were one of the first countries to liberalise the economy in the 70s, but the greed that was conspicuously visible in society in the past two decades was glaring. It was our own Gilded Age with bling, and millionaire-owned bungalows, except that they were not in Newport. The Economist, in a recent article states that Sri Lanka, once a free market pioneer is now taking a leap to the left. The Economist editorial board ought to be advised to desist from jumping into conclusions. That the new dispensation promises to eradicate corruption and usher in a new dawn accompanied with systemic change, does not necessarily mean that there is a leap to the Left. The Government has by all accounts pledged not to interfere with free-market economics, and is committed to helping businessmen and young entrepreneurs. By any yardstick, this does not seem to signify any type of ‘leap to the left.” If a capitalist economy continues under this new dispensation, would the propellant of that capitalism be greed? This article began with the premise that all capitalism is propelled through greed. In and of itself, that statement should not necessarily be negative. Greed is part of the human condition, and it is humbling but true that greed per se is tolerable, but that excessive greed is abhorrent. In the past few decades, greed was contagious. Greed also became a trend, a societal tendency, a fad even. Ostentatious, conspicuous consumption by politicians seemed not only to be tolerated, it seemed at least in some ways, to be encouraged and applauded. But greed was grating, and no longer a fad when the ordinary folk had to forego essentials after the economy collapsed, and inflation went through the roof. By that time it was clear that greed had a human toll, and that conspicuous consumption came at a cost to society, even though it had come to a point at which everybody was aspiring for the SUV that the politician had acquired — after not having worked for it. So, greed can be seen as essentially tolerated under capitalism but frowned upon when it is a societal menace and not a systemic quirk or even a systemic imperative. It is not wise for any regime to attempt to extinguish the essential character of a capitalist society, if the regime wants economic growth and prosperity. It hasn’t happened in China. Though China is run by the Communist Party, it is now a capitalist country with all of the trappings of wealth and wretched excess being part of that equation. The wealthy in China certainly flaunt their wealth, even though the Government is tough on corruption. But corruption and displays of conspicuous consumption are two very different things. Many middle-class Chinese who suddenly acquire wealth feel the need to go drag racing in Ferraris or to use IPhones encased in gold. Chinese actors have been known to flaunt mind-boggling wealth including Rolex and Patek Phillippe watch collections that would be the envy of Hollywood actors. consumption Conspicuous consumption became such a social media trend that the Chinese authorities have now taken steps to ban displays of obscene wealth on social media accounts, with some social media profiles that have been known for flaunting wealth in an obscene manner, being taken down by the authorities. But the reader gets the picture. The country may be run by a Communist Party, but in China, capitalism is the norm as the stupendous economic growth achieved in the country is owed to capitalist entrepreneurship. Those who wrote The Economist opinion piece on Sri Lanka should have known that though the NPP has a Marxist background so-called, the party would not be stifling growth by curtailing the market economy and the culture of capitalist entrepreneurship. That was obvious from the time the party campaigned, meeting business leaders, and courting their support for the effort to win elections. Of course, the reality is that capitalism is driven by a certain level of greed on the part of the entrepreneur classes. Profit-motive it is, but mostly the profit-motive is driven by a desire to earn more than others, with conspicuous consumption almost always factored in. Some would call it greed, plain and simple. If greed is part of capitalism, and the free-market dynamic, so be it. Greed should prevail as long as it is not corrupt, and as long as it is not unconscionable and excessive greed. It’s not so much that greed should prevail than the fact that greed does prevail. It’s greed that drives entrepreneurial innovation, and then, when people start acting on their impulses, that develops into full blown business enterprises which provide the jobs and keep the economy ticking. It’s another one of those great paradoxes of life. Given that life is replete with paradoxes and this is one of them, suffice to say, short of saying let there be greed, let’s acknowledge there is greed. What’s reprehensible is when this greed knows no bounds, and when the next person is forgotten for the sake of unbridled greed. But, if China hasn’t reverted back to Communism in practice, there is no case for any other country to do so. Each country would have its own limits or boundaries within the Capitalist system, but essentially it all boils down to the same. Greed drives economies, and to some extent entrepreneurial greed is seen as the lubricant that moves the economy, as long as corruption is kept in check, and there is no exploitation of the working class.
'Other cases have taken more months and years': Former world No. 4 questions Sinner and Swiatek doping cases timelinesAfter two years of planning and two more years of construction, the Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre at the corner of Ellice Ave. and Burnell St. has undergone a modernization. With a new facade, windows, an elevator and commercial kitchen, the $1.8 million dollar renovation means the temple is poised to host its hundreds of attendees, both now and far into the future. “As long as it serves the purpose of the community, we’re happy,” said Renovations committee chair Rao Atmuri. “That’s about it, the rest doesn’t matter.” The building was originally constructed in 1950 as a church. In the late 70s, the Hindu Society of Manitoba purchased the building converting it into a Hindu temple in 1983. These were the last major renovations done to the building and it was in need of a visual and functional upgrade. Beyond the aesthetic value that the renovations have brought, Hindu Society of Manitoba’s board president, Kirit Thakrar, says that these updates are critical for aligning with Winnipeg’s evolving Hindu community. He says many of the Hindu temple’s original patrons are aging, meaning that equipment like an elevator is becoming a necessity, and at the same time, Winnipeg has been seeing an influx of newcomers who are looking to come to the temple to engage in puja, enjoy meals and meet others. “Immigration is increasing now, and lots of people are coming,” Thakrar says. “This is where everything starts when people first move to Winnipeg.” The Ellice temple’s location and proximity to the University of Winnipeg means that the temple is often a landing pad for Hindus from downtown to the Maples. For instance, on Nov. 21st, individuals at the temple were preparing for the Akhand Ramayan Path, a continuous 24-hour recitation of the Shri Ramcharitmanas - a 16th century epic poem telling to story of Ramayana. “On the 23rd, we have a big program and we can have about seven, eight hundred people,” Thakrar says. The building’s renovations mean that more people are able to participate in prayer and the meals which are served after celebrations as the building’s basement has massively increased its capacity with more seating and a fully stainless steel commercial kitchen. Thakrar says that the Hindu temple does more than just host religious cermonies. The space is also used for cultural and social needs in the wider community, such as lectures on health and finances and hosting school groups from across the city. The renovations were conducted by a committee of board and non-board members, including Thakrar, Vijay Punj, Rao Atmuri, Prem Sanggar and Surinder Goyal. Atmuri says that they “were all there almost from day number one.” Walking around the building, it is clear that the members are proud of the work they have done and their ability to serve the expanding local community.Edo: Politicians who wrote, announced fake results now crying of rigging – Gov Okpebholo
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Tom Happersett with Happ's Christmas Tree Farm joins LiveNOW's Jeané Franseen to discuss all the Christmas tree secrets. According to Square, the best time to buy a Christmas tree depends on your priorities, with Black Friday seeing the highest sales and prices averaging $112. Purchasing on the first Saturday in December may offer a slight discount, with trees averaging $105. The cheapest time to buy is just before Christmas, with prices dropping to around $85, a 32% savings from Black Friday. One of the most cherished traditions of the holiday season is picking out the perfect Christmas tree to adorn your home. But, when is the best time to purchase a tree ? According to Square , it depends. The business technology company analyzed data from thousands of Christmas tree sellers in 2023 to uncover the most popular time to buy, along with how tree prices fluctuate throughout the season. Christmas trees are on display at a Christmas tree market in TriBeCa on November 27, 2020 in New York City. (Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images) Last year, the largest surge in tree sales occurred on Black Friday , with the average tree costing around $112, according to Square. "We find the demand for real Christmas trees has grown substantially over the years," Tom Dull, the co-owner and general manager of Dull’s Tree Farm located in Thorntown, Indiana, told Square. "Our business opens the day after Thanksgiving on Black Friday, and we generally see a third of our sales for the season on that day, selling a tree off the farm almost every 17 seconds." For those who waited and purchased on the first Saturday in December, the second most popular day for tree shopping, prices dropped to $105. "The cheapest time to buy a Christmas tree is right before Christmas," said Square’s research lead Ara Kharazian, but added, "The best time is whichever day maximizes joy in your household." According to the findings, the closer it gets to Christmas, the further tree prices tend to fall as demand starts to taper off. RELATED: Prevent Christmas tree fires with these tips and tricks By the week before Christmas, over 90% of trees had been sold, and sellers were reducing prices to clear out inventory before the end of the season. In fact, consumers that put off their purchase until then saved 32% compared to Black Friday prices, with the average cost coming down to $85. The National Christmas Tree Association said that there are approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year. The top Christmas Tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington. The Source The information for this story was provided by the National Christmas Tree Association and Square, which sampled more than 3,000 Christmas tree sellers in the U.S. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
Ingredion Incorporated Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.80 per ShareThe Super Football Conference released its All-Division football teams for the 2024 season. You can find the selections for the National White Division below. NOTE : The selections were made by coaches from the conference and not reporters from NJ.com . If an athlete’s name is misspelled, please let us know and we will make the correction. First Team Offense QB: Romelo Tables, Shabaazz, Sr. Skill: Jalen Cline, Shabazz, Sr. Skill: Keyon Thorpe, Snyder, Sr. Skill: Yahzeed Thomas, West Side, Sr. Skill: Daveion Porter, Shabazz, Sr. OL: Aaron Melick, Immaculata, Sr. OL: Ahmad Dominick, Lincoln, Sr. OL: Felix Santiago, Shabazz, Sr. OL: Luca Taddeo, Immaculata, Jr. OL: Michael Clark, Snyder, Sr. TE: Quinn Hayden, Immaculata, So. At-Large: Cole Hayden, Immaculata, Sr. First Team Defense DL: Davonta Harris, Shabazz, Jr. DL: Kahlil Knowlin, West Side, Sr. DL: Sajani Millwood, Weequahic, Sr. DL: Christian Lloyd, Snyder, So. LB: DJ McClary, Snyder, Sr. LB: Luke Laub, Immaculata, Sr. LB: Basir Shivers, Snyder, Sr. LB: Zaiden McDonald, Shabazz, Jr. DB: Shymier Hargrove, Snyder, Sr. DB: Mekhi Armour, Weequahic, Jr. DB: Omari Gaines, Shabazz, Sr. At-Large: Tyshaun Boyd, Weequahic, Jr. Special Teams K: Ibrahim Cisse, Weequahic, Sr. P: Mitchell Carr, Immaculata, So. R: Makai Walton, Lincoln, Sr. Second Team Offense QB: Paul Jones III, Weequahic, Jr. Skill: Kareem Anthony, Weequahic, Jr. Skill: Mekhi Casseus, Snyder, Sr. Skill: Akande Adonis, Weequahic, Sr. Skill: Daysir Spille, Immaculata, So. OL: Makai Dotch-Walker, Shabazz, So. OL: Zaire Reed, Snyder, Sr. OL: Javion Knight, Weequahic, So. OL: Khalil Hobson, Snyder, Sr. OL: Dai’ryus Cancel, Shabazz, Fr. At-Large: Ja’Shyne Hayes, Weequahic, Sr. Second Team Defense DL: Asekundi Adetayo, Shabazz, So. DL: Ben Doumbia, West Side, Sr. DL: Jordan Harrison, Immaculata, Jr. DL: Mike Reuben, Weequahic, Jr. LB: Asaad Reynolds, Shabazz, So. LB: Elijah Johnson, Weequahic, Sr. LB: Reynoldo Carter, Weequahic, Sr. LB: Jayrice Warde, West Side, Jr. DB: Omar Singleton, West Side, So. DB: Andrew Jones, Weequahic, Sr. DB: Samir Wilkins, Shabazz, Sr. Honorable Mention Vincent Smith, West Side, Sr. Nick Stokes, Immaculata, Jr. Robert Mack, Lincoln, Sr. Shamar Myers, Shabazz, Sr. Hebreux Jeantine, Snyder, Sr. Elijah Blakely, Weequahic, Sr. Coach of the Year Robert Hampton, Lincoln RECOMMENDED • nj .com Group 2 state semifinal football preview: Hot Shabazz battles resilient Hanover Park Nov. 21, 2024, 10:10 a.m. Late N.J. football coach was never all about winning, yet did that better than most Nov. 18, 2024, 9:41 p.m. Mike Kinney can be reached at mkinney@njadvancemedia.com . The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)TikTok urges Supreme Court to find law that could lead to ban unconstitutional
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