With a 3D printer, open-source software and free digital designs, cash-strapped scientists can now fabricate their own lab equipment at a fraction of the cost. [ + ]

Researchers at Oxford and Plymouth Universities have discovered ancient viruses from Neanderthals in the DNA of modern humans. Their research was supported by the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council (MRC) and published in the journal Current Biology. [ + ]

Avita Medical's (ASX:AVH) two largest shareholders plan to vote against the company's remuneration report, with Bioscience Managers calling for the replacement of the chairman and CEO. [ + ]

A team of researchers has discovered the well-preserved remnants of a complex microbial ecosystem in a nearly 3.5 billion-year-old sedimentary rock sequence in Western Australia. [ + ]

In the world of pawnbroking, the difference between real and fake gold - or plated versus solid - could mean a difference of hundreds of dollars per transaction and thousands per year. Thermo Scientific portable precious metal analysers have received the endorsement of Hardcore Pawn’s Seth Gold. [ + ]

The 2013 Prime Minister's Science Prizes were this week awarded at the Royal Society of New Zealand in Wellington. With a total of $1 million in prize money, the awards aim to highlight the contribution science makes to New Zealand's economy. [ + ]

CellBank Australia is conducting a survey into the usage and anticipated demand for cell lines and cell culture services among Australian researchers. [ + ]

The 2013 Research Australia Awards, held last night at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne, recognised individuals and corporations for areas such as discovery, advocacy, philanthropy and lifetime achievement. [ + ]

Regeneus (ASX:RGS) has received US regulatory approval to commercialise a cell-based canine cancer vaccine in the US, giving it an accelerated pathway to launch. [ + ]

The medical device segment was the star performer of the Australian life sciences sector during Q413, and the stage is set for further growth, PwC's latest BioForum report says. [ + ]

All animals have to make decisions every day - often as a group to help their survival. Researchers from Arizona State University, hoping to understand how the collective decision-making process arises out of individually ignorant ants, have conducted an experiment which found that the creatures can change their decision-making strategies based on experience. [ + ]

A joint venture between Novogen (ASX:NRT) and Yale University will focus on developing ovarian cancer drugs, eventually including personalised chemotherapeutic treatments. [ + ]

The investment that has been put into personalised medicine is starting to pay off - the tailored diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention of disease in an individual is beginning to be applied, as David Randerson intends to explain at the conference. [ + ]

The UK delegation that attended the recent 2013 AusBiotech meeting is keen to develop its relationship with the Australian biotech sector. [ + ]

Mesoblast's partner Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has secured US FDA approval for a phase III IND trial of Mesoblast's MPCs in congestive heart failure. [ + ]