A long-term study examining the antibacterial effectiveness of Agion silver zeolite technology on door handles within a college campus.

Laboratory studies have shown that small concentrations of silver are effective at inhibiting the growth micro-organisms through the disruption of important cell structures and processes. The additional ability to incorporate silver into surfaces has increased the usage of silver in the medical field and expanded its use into the consumer market. To understand the impact of increased silver-containing antimicrobial use, it is important to determine whether silver-based consumer goods are effective at reducing bacterial populations.

Geographic distribution of human immunodeficiency virus markers in parenteral drug abusers.

Drug abuse treatment programs in six regions of the United States collaborated in a study aimed at monitoring trends in the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. The wide disparities in HIV seroprevalence in the face of similarities in drug using behavior have important implications for prevention. In the New York City area (Harlem, Brooklyn), 61 per cent of samples (N = 280) obtained in late 1986 were positive, up from 50 per cent of samples (N = 585) in early 1985.