Tribute to AIDS conference delegates
Scientists trying to find a cure for AIDS have a new plan of attack - using drugs to flush out and destroy the last traces of HIV in the body.
Boffins have been buoyed by research, presented at the global AIDS summit in Melbourne, that shows a test drug can expose latent particles of the virus.
Australia's chief medical officer Professor Chris Baggoley said the country had made great progress in HIV control but new diagnoses were on the rise.
Though 70 per cent of the 1236 new cases last year were linked to sexual contact between men, there was growing transmission between heterosexuals.
Thousands of people gathered at Federation Square last night for a candlelight vigil to remember the 35 million people who have died from AIDS and HIV.
It started with a tribute to the six conference delegates who died en route on MH17. Organisers said the tragedy had strengthened bonds between researchers and the HIV community.
