Health Highlights: Aug. 5, 2008

''It's a miracle!'' McKinney repeatedly shouted when she saw her cloned puppies at the laboratory, the news service reported.

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Vaccine May Give HIV Patients a Break From Regular Medication

A vaccine designed to give HIV patients a prolonged respite from their regular medication will be tested in a trial of 345 patients in 21 centers in Europe and the United States, researchers announced at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.

It's believed giving HIV patients a break from standard HIV therapy would help alleviate adverse side effects associated with the drugs and may also help delay the emergence of drug-resistant viruses,BBC Newsreported. It would also provide substantial savings for health care services.

The vaccine was developed by Norway-based biotechnology company Bionor Immuno. Results from the trial are due by the end of 2009.

"A successful immunotherapeutic HIV vaccine would give patients and doctors enormous advantages over current treatments, both in developed and developing countries," said Dr. Barry Peters, of Kings College London,BBC Newsreported.

"Even if this vaccine is not the final answer, it could help the march toward a successful immunotherapeutic HIV vaccine," said Peters, who is leading the research in Great Britain.