Using wasps to trim grass, discovering weakness in the HIV virus and examining Americans’ financial woes is all in this week’s research roundup.
U. Texas researchers discover weakness in HIV virus that may enable vaccine
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have discovered a quirk in the constantly evolving HIV virus that they say will help them to develop an effective vaccine for the prevention of the virus in the next 10 years.
Full Story from The Daily Texan
Dartmouth prof to determine average American’s financial savvy
The average American consumer boasts ownership of multiple credit cards, but could have minimal understanding of compound interest and how it affects their credit bill. The financial literacy and capability of Americans is the subject of a new U.S. Treasury Department study led by Dartmouth College economics professor Annamaria Lusardi. Lusardi, it was announced in early July, will lead a team of researchers convened by the Treasury to gather information to be used in the formulation of economic policy.
U. Pittsburgh Med Center warns cell phone users about possible cancer risk
The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute issued an advisory Wednesday morning detailing precautions to take to avoid the potential health risks of cell phones, the first time a U.S. hospital has issued such an advisory.
“Although the evidence is still controversial, I am convinced that there are sufficient data to warrant issuing an advisory to share some precautionary advice on cell phone use,” said UPCI director Dr. Ronald Herberman in the memorandum.
Full Story from The Pitt News
U. Texas-led researchers breed wasps to control wild grass
A team of researchers led by University of Texas professor Larry Gilbert is in the early stages of breeding millions of wasps to control a grass species clogging waterways around the Rio Grande River and Central Texas.
Full Story from The Daily Texan