Vincent, Dick, and Alan (with a cameo appearance by Rich Condit) review the world’s largest Phase III study of a complex HIV vaccine candidate in Thailand, immunization of salmon against infectious salmon anemia virus, and an outbreak of blueberry shock virus in Michigan.

Links for this episode:

• HIV vaccine shows promise for the first time - description of the program, FDA background document (pdf), NEJM review on why AIDS vaccine is difficult (pdf), and arguments for the trial
• Chile immunizes salmon (USGS article on the virus, pdf)
• Blueberry virus strikes Michigan research center (information on the disease and the virus)
• Rotavirus seasonality (thanks Didier!)
• Viruses and the tree of life at virology blog
• Big brains have evolved twice (thanks Arsen!)

Weekly Science Picks

Alan Bat Rabies and Other Lyssavirus InfectionsDick Boosting Vaccines: The Power of Adjuvants (Scientific American; subscription required)Vincent The Ig Nobel Prizes by Marc Abrahams