Brazil develops gel to fight HIV

SAO PAULO, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Brazilian scientists have developed a gel made from indigenous algae they say could help protect women from HIV, Folha de Sao Paulo reported Tuesday.

Though initial tests said it was 95 percent efficient, researchers said it would not be on the market for up to seven years.

The algae tests are part of a wide-ranging program to create a line of contraceptives for women that would prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

Brazil's national AIDS and HIV prevention program is widely considered the best in the world.