SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

Researchers at the partners AIDS Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital said that when individuals infected with HIV become infected with a second strain of the virus, the two viral strains can exchange genetic information, creating a third, recombinant strain of the virus.

These multiple viral strains, called superinfection, frequently lead to a loss of immune control of viral levels.

"The implication that recombination events are selected by immune responses identifies a new mechanism for the virus to escape the patient's immune system, which would present additional challenges to vaccine design", one of the study's lead authors, Dr. Hendrik Streeck, said in a statement.

"This finding also has worldwide implications for the development of more complex strains of HIV."

The study is published online in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

 BREAKING STORIES

Family at risk when mom not insured

Study: Alcohol reduces brain volume

Massachusetts enjoys first poetry festival

Manatee leaves Cape Cod for Florida

Cape Cod manatee may get air trip to Fla.

Cocoa powder high in anti-oxidants

DiCaprio helps promote wildlife campaign

Researcher: iPods an unknown road menace

Scientists working on space elevator

Study urges science-based biofuel policies

Smell receptors mass produced in the lab

Wild moose killed after city rampage

Calif. official calls for voting reforms

Researchers report stem cell alternative

Kennedy hospitalized in Massachusetts

Farm Aid to Congress: Bail out farmers

Chilean president honors Sen. Kennedy

Web site individualizes prostate therapy

Suspect arrested in talk host beating

Dolphins' Defense Delivers in Upset