Twenty years ago in Los Angeles, a bizarre new disease appeared in five patients, whose bodies were unable to thwart infections of exotic microbes. This disease became to be known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and has since infected nearly 60 million people worldwide. Twenty-two million have died from these infections. In the two decades since its first description, AIDS has grown to become a focal issue for public education, research, and societal welfare. Despite heroic efforts in medical research and education, a cure for AIDS has eluded science, and the disease has reached epidemic proportions in many parts of the world. This week's In The News highlights recent progress in research, development of social issues in response to AIDS, and a variety of other resources relevant to AIDS.