— Days after researchers discovered HIV’s hiding place, another group has found herpes lurking in our own chromosomes. The study authors say that human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), which infects nearly all humans in childhood, integrates its DNA into the telomere regions at the ends of chromosomes. There, the virus can lie dormant for reactivation later in life. (ScienceDaily)

— Merck and Sanofi-Aventis’ latest pet project is to combine their animal health businesses to create the world’s largest seller of animal medications and vaccines. The deal, which will have to go through antitrust hearings, was reportedly spurred by an aging human population that also means more pets to keep healthy. (WSJ)

— The US Supreme Court will soon decide whether vaccine producers are indeed immune to lawsuits under a national vaccine act from 1986. After conflicting decisions in lower courts, the justices will hear a case next fall over Wyeth’s diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine. The young woman at the center of the case experienced seizures after receiving her third dose. (Reuters)

— Elsevier, the publisher of the non-peer reviewed journal Medical Hypotheses, is asking editor-in-chief Bruce Charlton to resign immediately if he chooses not to make several changes, including the addition of a peer review system. Charlton came under fire last year after publishing a paper by Peter Duesberg, who claimed there is no proof of HIV causing AIDS. Under Medical Hypotheses’ existing system, the editor personally selected the paper, which was later retracted. (ScienceInsider)

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