Close X
Thursday, November 28, 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

    Canada Will Increase Iraqi Trainers, Fight Climate Change With Obama: Justin Trudeau

    MANILA, Philippines — Canada will increase the number of ground troops it has in Iraq to train local forces as a way of making a bigger military contribution to the coalition fighting Islamic militants, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.

    Canada Will Increase Iraqi Trainers, Fight Climate Change With Obama: Justin Trudeau

    UVic Develops Less-bloody Blood Test That Is Already In Use At Mayo Clinic

    UVic Develops Less-bloody Blood Test That Is Already In Use At Mayo Clinic
    VICTORIA — Forget the long, sharp needles and vials of blood taken to check for cancers, diabetes and heart problems — researchers at the University of Victoria have developed a new test requiring only a single drop.

    UVic Develops Less-bloody Blood Test That Is Already In Use At Mayo Clinic

    Canada Seeing Outbreaks Of Pertussis. Is Waning Immunity From Shots One Reason?

    Canada Seeing Outbreaks Of Pertussis. Is Waning Immunity From Shots One Reason?
    The bacterial infection, which often but not always causes a "whoop" sound when breathing or coughing, is particularly dangerous for very young babies, say doctors. The disease can lead to hospitalization and, in rare cases, death.

    Canada Seeing Outbreaks Of Pertussis. Is Waning Immunity From Shots One Reason?

    Machine Used In Cancer, Heart Disease Scans In Alberta Back Up And Running

    Machine Used In Cancer, Heart Disease Scans In Alberta Back Up And Running
    EDMONTON — A key piece of machinery in Alberta used in diagnostic tests such as cancer and heart disease is back up and running after a four-week shutdown.

    Machine Used In Cancer, Heart Disease Scans In Alberta Back Up And Running

    Belt Getting Tighter? Study Finds A Pot Belly Risky Even If You're Not Considered Overweight

    Belt Getting Tighter? Study Finds A Pot Belly Risky Even If You're Not Considered Overweight
    New research suggests normal-weight people who carry their fat at their waistlines may be at higher risk of death over the years than overweight or obese people whose fat is more concentrated on the hips and thighs.

    Belt Getting Tighter? Study Finds A Pot Belly Risky Even If You're Not Considered Overweight

    How Low Should You Go? Details Revealed From Big Study That Challenges Blood Pressure Targets

    How Low Should You Go? Details Revealed From Big Study That Challenges Blood Pressure Targets
    Details were revealed Monday from a landmark federal study that challenges decades of thinking on blood pressure, giving a clearer picture of plusses and minuses of more aggressive treatment.

    How Low Should You Go? Details Revealed From Big Study That Challenges Blood Pressure Targets