"Forensic Files"

This past weekend, I traveled to Oceanside, CA for my father's birthday. While relaxing on the couch one day, I decided to watch some television. On the station truTV, I saw a show with the name "Forensic Files."Unfortunately, I realized that this title is the same as my blog. At my house, I have basic cable. Only about ten channels for me to watch because I'm rarely ever home to sit and watch t.v. Now seeing this, I realized how very tricky it is to come up with a name for something and how you have to be careful with the name you choose.

For the remainder of this course I will keep the title of this blog. But, at the end of the semester, I will be taking down the blog so there will be no problems of copywriting. I do, however, suggest that you check out the show. It's extremely interesting with what they are able to do. The show I was able to catch was about how they are now able to test the ashes of a cremated person for any type of arsenic. This was never possible before a case where it proved to be the breaking point in a case of a serial killer who thought he had committed the perfect crimes.

Vaccine for HIV??

In a clinical trial sponsored by the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, an HIV vaccine is showing promise in its Phase 3 trials. The trial consisted of about 16,402 people, ranging between the ages of 18 and 30, who had various risks of contracting HIV. The drug consisted of a vaccine followed by a booster dose. Dividing the test subjects, half were given a placebo while the other half received the drug. Each group was administered their designated vaccine the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months of the trial as well as at the enrollment. The booster shot was then given to the patients at the 3rd and 6th month. Afterwards, the patients were tested for HIV every six months for three years.

At the end of the trial, the results showed that the participants that were administered the actual vaccine had only 51 out of the 8, 197 contract HIV. That is a 0.006 percentage rate of infection. The placebo results showed 74 infections out of 8, 198 participants; increasing the rate of infection to 0.009 percent. These results are very promising but would a vaccine promote activity that puts a person at risk for HIV? And since HIV is a virus, will our progress be able to keep up with its mutation?

To view the article, follow the link: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/709462

Baby Daddy

Move over Maury Povich, the DNA paternity testing kit has made its way into the homes of unsure moms without all the drama.....well, some of the drama at least. I would imagine that anyone needing a DNA test to determine the father has a little bit of drama in their life regardless. IDENTIGENE has now created the at-home paternity test where the samples from the alleged father, child, and biological mother are taken and sent away to a lab. In three to five business days, TADA! you have your answer. Problem is, if there is a bit of drama, how are you going to get him to open his mouth to get your cheek cell sample? So maybe Mr. Povich will still be able to have his show. You can learn more at the website: http://www.dnatesting.com/dna-paternity-testing/.