Researchers are celebrating the first signs of success in a major trial of a vaccine against the Aids virus, HIV.
The US-backed trial involved some 16,000 adults in Thailand.
Researchers said the vaccine showed "some ability" to prevent infection.
The study involved men and women aged between 18 and 30, judged to face different levels of risk of infection. Half received a fake vaccination and the other half one of two vaccines.
After five years some 74 of those who were not properly vaccinated contracted the virus infection compared with 51 of those who were vaccinated.
Researchers said the difference was "statistically significant" – but the effect may be regarded as too small to put the new vaccine into general use.
Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, described the results as "an encouraging advance".
He said: "For the first time, an investigational HIV vaccine has demonstrated some ability to prevent HIV infection among vaccinated individuals."
He added: "Additional research is needed to better understand how this vaccine regimen reduced the risk of HIV infection."
Swine flu spreads more
The spread of swine flu is accelerating in England, according to figures published yesterday.
Health officials estimate that some 9,000 people contracted the virus last week in England – almost double the previous week.
And the death toll in Britain rose to 82 while globally estimates suggested a growth increase in deaths.
The figures for England have been estimated by the Health Protection Agency, based on cases reported by GPs.
UK chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said it looked as if the predicted "second wave" of flu was under way – but it was not clear how serious it would be.
More than 200 people are in hospital as a result of contracting the virus.
Figures reported by different countries suggest the virus is spreading fastest in the tropics and in some parts of the northern hemisphere, such as north-eastern USA.
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