In brief...

Global strategy published for development of HIV/AIDS vaccine--The Global HIV/AIDS Vaccine Enterprise, an international alliance of organisations researching a vaccine for HIV, has published a strategic plan for overcoming the most important obstacles in the development of an effective vaccine. See the PLoS Medicine's website (www.plosmedicine.org).

Designer cannabis is harming young people--Increasing availability of high strength cannabis is harming the physical and mental health of young people, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners. Dr Clare Gerada, head of the college's drugs misuse unit, said that relaxed attitudes and greater availability were leading to rising rates of depression and psychosis in young people. A year ago, the drug's legal status was downgraded from class B to class C.

Independent UK medical school to open--A private doctor in London is to set up an independent medical school that operates mainly outside the NHS. Dr Paul MacLouglin said that the Hunter School of Medicine, set to open in September on Brunel University's Uxbridge campus, will help tackle the urgent need for more doctors by training senior NHS professionals: "We just want to give senior nurses and paramedics who've done well a chance to go further."

US medical student awarded for services to youth--On 31 January 2005, Chirag Patel, a medical student, will be one of 10 US recipients of the 2005 Lewis Hine Award for Service to Youth, awarded by the US National Child Labor Committee. Previous recipients of this award include Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Bolton, and Harry Belafonte. Mr Patel found innovative ways to expand medical services, on behalf of young people, into previously untouched neighbourhoods.



studentBMJ 2005;13:45-88 February ISSN 0966-6494