EDGEWOOD, KY (FOX19) - It has been 30 years since the identification of the illness that would later be known as AIDS. Since that discovery, nearly 600,000 Americans have died as a result of the disease and more than one million are currently living with HIV or AIDS. A frightening statistic to add to these already alarming numbers: nearly one-fifth of all those infected with HIV in the United States are unaware of their status.

“Many new cases of HIV can be prevented through regular testing for the disease,” said Lynne Saddler, MD, MPH, District Director of Health. “A person walking around unaware that he has HIV is putting himself and others at risk, possibly delaying treatment for the disease and unknowingly infecting others.”

Every June, National HIV Testing Day encourages people from all walks of life to get tested.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY (FOX19) - The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a $405,000 competitive grant to Northern Kentucky University’s Dr. Heather Bullen (Chemistry department) and Dr. Kristi Haik (Biological Sciences department) for their research titled “Nanotechnology: Advancing Toxicity Testing.”

Nanotechnology is research aimed at understanding, manipulating and utilizing nanometer-scale materials.  “More than one billion people across the world suffer with brain diseases, disorders or injuries,” Dr. Haik said.  “To combat these illnesses, researchers have been working hard to develop potential therapies, a majority of which may only be administered by injection directly into the brain.  The concept of nanotechnology has shown promise in delivering drugs to the brain that previously in ways previously unavailable.  It is vital to investigate potential toxicity issues that may arise from overexposure to nanoparticles.”

Dr.