'Mind-blowing' cows hold clue to beating HIV
Cows have shown an "insane" and "mind-blowing" ability to tackle HIV which will help develop a vaccine, say US researchers.In a first for immunisation, the animals rapidly produced special types of antibody that can neutralise HIV.It is thought cows evolved a supreme immune defence due to their complex and bacteria-packed digestive system.The US National Institutes of Health said the findings were of "great interest".HIV is a slippery and nefarious opponent. It mutates so readily that every time a patient's immune system finds a way of attacking the virus, HIV shifts its appearance. However, a small proportion of patients eventually develop "broadly neutralising antibodies" after years of infection. These attack parts the virus cannot change. A vaccine that could train the immune system to...