Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania believe they have found a way to pass on immunity to HIV/AIDS–a rare genetic anomaly possessed by an extremely lucky few–by altering your genes.

Essentially, HIV infects the body by “pulling itself into” T-cells, which fight off infection, rendering the body unable to protect itself from disease and other viruses, says Wired.com. To do this, HIV latches on to a protein on the cell called CCR5. By altering the genetic make-up of a person’s T-cells and reinserting them into the body, HIV has no way to destroy their immune system. (more…)

Bad news for resedents in the NYC area as a Department of Health study found that 36 percent of women and 19 percent of men living in the city are infected with the herpes virus.

The study finds that in total, “26 percent of city residents have the virus that causes genital herpes, an incurable sexually-transmitted infection that can cause painful genital sores and can double a person’s risk for HIV.”

So what can you do to combat this problem? Wrap it up, no matter what… every time!

<via WCBS>

Another year, another Will-Smith-saves-the-world movie.

I Am Legend had been garnering only decent buzz – until this new trailer surfaced out of the blue. Smith plays Robert Neville, sole survivor of New York and sole hope for the human race…after all humankind becomes virus-carrying zombie-monsters. Neville has no idea why he’s immune to the vicious virus, but he plans on using his non-effected self to restore order to the human race.

That’s all fine and dandy, as long as it gives moviegoers a reason to throw down some change.

Let’s face it: the fall movie season has been terrible, with unremarkable flicks cropping up every week. A movie like I Am Legend is just what moviegoers (and the industry) need for an action-starved season. For action buffs that fancy a bit of build-up before a massive blow-out, the trailer for I Am Legend relies on slow, driven tension more than a quick fix of gratuitous explosions and caffeinated editing – though there are plenty of those as well. I Am Legend will be in theaters December 14.

I am officially excited to see this movie – and you should be too.