Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Mahua Choudhury, Indian-american Professor Creates 'Supercondom' To Combat HIV

Darpan News Desk IANS, 16 Dec, 2015 12:52 PM
    An Indian-origin professor has created a 'supercondom' that can help combat the deadly virus that cause AIDS and also enhance sexual pleasure.
     
    Made of an elastic polymer called hydrogel, the condom is enmeshed with a plant-based antioxidant ingredient that has anti-HIV properties, Digital Trends reported.
     
    "We are not only making a novel material for condoms to prevent the HIV infection, but we are also aiming to eradicate this infection if possible," said lead researcher Mahua Choudhury, assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center's Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy in the US.
     
    "Supercondom could help fight against HIV infection and may as well prevent unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases and if we succeed, it will revolutionize the HIV prevention initiative," Choudhury, who studied molecular biology, biophysics and genetics in India before getting her PhD in the US, noted.
     
    She was one of 54 people awarded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's "Grand Challenge in Global Health" grant. 
     
    This year's initiative asked winning recipients to create an affordable, latex-free condom to help battle the HIV epidemic, which is currently affecting 35 million people in the world. 
     
    "If you can make it really affordable, and really appealing, it could be a life-saving thing," Choudhury said. 
     
    The hydrogel in Choudhury’s condom is designed with an embedded plant-based antioxidant that is released when the condom’s walls are broken, Digital Trends reported.
     
    This antioxidant has proven anti-HIV properties, and can stop the virus from replicating. 
     
    The antioxidant laced in the hydrogel also boasts stimulant properties that enhance physiological stimulation and feelings of pleasure during sex, the report noted.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Flu vaccines boost immunity against many strains

    Flu vaccines boost immunity against many strains
    Researchers have found that seasonal flu vaccines protect individuals not only against the strains of flu they contain but also against many additional types....

    Flu vaccines boost immunity against many strains

    Top-selling eye vitamins in US not safe: Study

    Top-selling eye vitamins in US not safe: Study
    Researchers have found that claims made about top-selling eye vitamins in the US lack concrete scientific evidence and these supplements could pose a risk to users....

    Top-selling eye vitamins in US not safe: Study

    Simple potato extract can control obesity

    Simple potato extract can control obesity
    To the delight of potato lovers, researchers have found a simple potato extract may limit weight gain from a diet which is high in fat and refined carbohydrates....

    Simple potato extract can control obesity

    Zinc test can help diagnose breast cancer early

    Zinc test can help diagnose breast cancer early
    Detecting changes in zinc in the body through a simple blood test could help diagnose breast cancer early, finds a research that holds promise....

    Zinc test can help diagnose breast cancer early

    High-fructose drink consumption leads to overeating

    High-fructose drink consumption leads to overeating
    The brain responds differently to two forms of sugar, glucose and fructose, a new study says, adding that the consumption of fructose may promote overeating....

    High-fructose drink consumption leads to overeating

    Laughing gas can treat severe depression

    Laughing gas can treat severe depression
    Used as an anesthetic in medicine and dentistry, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, may also help treat severe depression in patients whose...

    Laughing gas can treat severe depression