Houston Chronicle, Feb. 28, 2007 CHICAGO - More than a quarter of U.S. women are infected with a sexually transmitted virus that sometimes can cause cervical cancer, health researchers say. The study, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, provides the most comprehensive assessment of human papillomavirus prevalence among American women. The overall prevalence was slightly higher than previous estimates. Some scientists say they hope the new study can diffuse some of the tension surrounding the vaccine issue in Texas. "Clearly, this has become a very controversial vaccine," said Dr. Lawrence Stanberry, chairman of the department of pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. "It's regrettable when that happens, and it's a shame that we can't focus on educating people about the benefits of this vaccine instead of just getting embroiled in the political intrigue." Stanberry said the significance of the new study for Texas is that the data on prevalence of HPV in the United States are similar to the estimates made in cost-effectiveness studies of the vaccine, suggesting that earlier research is valid.