Aids virus breakthrough

SCIENTISTS may have found a new weapon in the battle with the Aids virus, it was revealed today.

Increasing the production of naturally occurring proteins that contain selenium in blood cells slows down the virus's multiplication, biochemists said. Selenium is a micronutrient that the body needs to maintain normal metabolism.

K. Sandeep Prabhu, assistant professor of immunology and molecular toxicology at the US's Penn State University, said: "Our results suggest a reduction in [HIV] by at least 10-fold."