It’s a simple fact: some individuals are more attractive to the opposite sex than others. But what makes them more desirable? [ + ]

The comments section of online news sites is intended to be a place where everyone can express their own opinion. But according to a study published in the journal Science, many people are heavily influenced by the positive opinions of others in such outlets, while less swayed by the negative ones. [ + ]

The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) is undertaking an assessment and development of a cost recovery model for services provided by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). DoHA has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to undertake an economic analysis of the gene technology sector, and PwC is seeking input from sector stakeholders through the stakeholder survey. [ + ]

A good laboratory information management system (LIMS) can make a huge improvement  to a laboratory’s productivity. [ + ]

CSL (ASX:CSL) recorded 19% higher profit for FY13 as well as 7% higher revenue, and has announced the appointment of a new director. [ + ]

A collaboration of Melbourne scientists who describe themselves as a “happy confluence” is shedding much-needed light on how the body controls nervous system myelination, and how their tiny peptide ‘mimic’ could help patients with neurodegenerative disease. [ + ]

AmpliPhi BioSciences has used the Evergreen International Phage Meeting to present data supporting the effectiveness of bacteriophage treatments in P. aeruginosa infections. [ + ]

A surprise for chemists studying agostic bonds was the development of crystals of two different colours from one chemical in one flask. [ + ]

Buying technician workstations for your laboratory is a major capital expense, deserving of careful consideration to avoid making a costly mistake. Follow these six tips for selecting a laboratory workstation that meets all your current needs, while positioning you to adapt to whatever comes down the parkway. [ + ]

Patrys (ASX:PAB) has received safety board approval to move to the final group in its multidose escalation study of PAT-SM6 in multiple myeloma. [ + ]

Forensic science is about to be transformed with the use of new technology to predict a person’s physical appearance - a molecular photofit derived from DNA found at a crime scene. [ + ]

Usually microscopists have to decide between high resolution and a small field of view or low resolution and a large field of view. But that need no longer be the case. [ + ]

The strange but true fact is: not everybody is absolutely fascinated by science, nor thinks it is vital. [ + ]

Using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a research team analysed possible links between a person’s socioeconomic status and the prevalence of chemicals in their body. [ + ]

The Australian Life Sciences Index outperformed the All Ordinaries in Q4, and the weaker dollar presents both challenges and opportunities for the sector, according to the latest PwC report. [ + ]