The article discusses the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials for HIV treatments, despite the virus affecting both genders almost equally. A systematic review in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, which analyzed 544 studies from PubMed, found that women constituted only a small percentage of participants in various HIV-related clinical trials. Mirjam Curno, the lead author of the study and a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, highlights the importance of including women in adequate numbers to ensure the generalizability of research findings and to avoid potential harm. The article also notes that public trials have fewer women than private ones and emphasizes the need for enforcing gender parity mandates. Veronica Miller from the Forum for Collaborative HIV Research adds that greater inclusion of women in research can bring clinical and social benefits. The article is a version of a piece produced by SciDev.Net's Latin America & Caribbean desk.

NASA has partnered with the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru to conduct an experiment to grow potatoes in Mars-like conditions. The experiment aims to explore the potential of potatoes as a food source for future Mars missions and to understand the impact of climate change on this crop on Earth. The study involves planting virus-resistant potato clones in soil from the Atacama Desert, which shares similarities with Martian soil. The project will also involve freezing and thawing potatoes to simulate the journey to Mars and growing potatoes in CubeSats to study their growth in a controlled, low-pressure environment. The research is expected to provide insights that could benefit Earth's agriculture, particularly in the face of global warming. The project also includes a collaborative effort with students and researchers from various universities to gather more data using CubeSats.

The article discusses the archaeological findings at Cerén, El Salvador, which challenge the traditional view of Mayan society being strictly controlled by elites. Discovered in 1976 by Payson Sheets from Colorado University, the site was preserved under volcanic ash from an eruption 1,400 years ago. Excavations led by Sheets and a team of US and El Salvador archaeologists revealed objects of daily life and evidence of social independence among Cerén's inhabitants. A road and diverse crop plantations suggest economic independence from the Mayan elite, while the presence of high-quality ceramics and jade axes indicates trade with elite communities. The findings at Cerén offer a new perspective on the Mayan civilization during the Classic Period, suggesting that not all aspects of society were under elite control. The researchers are seeking funding for further exploration to uncover more about the region's history.

The article discusses the mysterious outbreak of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes (CKDnT) that has killed over 20,000 farmers in Central America. Unlike typical chronic kidney disease, CKDnT affects younger individuals, often without prior symptoms, and is prevalent among those working in sugarcane or cotton plantations. Initial hypotheses attributing the disease to chemicals, pesticides, or heavy metals were dismissed. Recent research focuses on work environment factors, such as long hours in high temperatures, leading to excessive uric acid production and kidney damage. Studies by Dr. Ramón García-Trabanino and Richard Johnson suggest a link between heat exposure and CKDnT. Global warming's role in increasing extreme heat days is also considered. Preventative measures and early diagnosis are emphasized as cost-effective strategies. The article also mentions upcoming research efforts, including an international workshop in Costa Rica.

Archaeological discoveries at Cerén in El Salvador, led by Payson Sheets from Colorado University at Boulder, challenge the long-held belief that the Mayan elite controlled all aspects of society. The site, preserved under volcanic ash, reveals evidence of social independence among its inhabitants, such as diverse crop management and access to fine goods without elite dominance. The findings suggest a more complex economic interaction between the Mayan elite and ordinary people, contradicting previous hypotheses about the Classic Period of Maya civilization.