Articles
BioDiem progresses liver disease vaccine
BioDiem (ASX: BDM) has announced its hepatitis vaccine program is making good progress. [ + ]
Aligning immunology and virology
Running a lab, directing a CRC and now a WHO Centre, Anne Kelso discusses her accomplished research career in microbiology, immunology and virology. [ + ]
Now they tell us - high omega-3 fatty acids levels increase risk of prostate cancer
Fatty acids derived from fatty fish and fish-oil supplements, usually lauded as ‘cure-alls’, have been found to increase the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. [ + ]
Weeing in space
When Alan Shepard, the first American to fly in space (5 May 1961) was forced to wee in his spacesuit, his urine short-circuited his electronic biosensors. Eight hours of launch delays had not been factored into his 15-minute spaceflight and there was no provision for him to urinate once kitted out in his spacesuit. [ + ]
Viralytics reports strong interim results for cancer treatment
Interim results look promising for Viralytic’s lead compound Cavatak. [ + ]
Bioniche expands reach for cow fertility product
Bioniche (ASX:BNC) has secured regulatory approval for Folltropin - its FSH product for stimulating superovulation in cows - in seven more European markets. [ + ]
Big genome
Debate continues about the claim that proteins interact with 80% of the human genome and whether this much regulation is required for a functional human being. [ + ]
‘Guide for Life Science Company Directors’ open for comment
AusBiotech, supported by the Victorian Government, has been working with an advisory committee to develop the Guide for Life Science Company Directors as a supporting document to the newly revised Code of Best Practice for Reporting by Life Sciences Companies (Ed 2). A draft is now available for comment until 15 August. [ + ]
Using sequencing to identify pathogens quickly
A method has been developed that can rapidly identify pathogenic species and strains causing illnesses, such as pneumonia. This could help lead to earlier detection of disease outbreaks and pinpoint effective treatments more quickly. [ + ]
Promising early results from pSivida uveitis trial
pSivida (ASX:PVA) said none of the eyes treated using its micro-insert experienced a recurrence in posterior uveitis during the first 12 months of its phase I/II trial. [ + ]
Patrys, Minomic and Starpharma secure ARC grants
The ARC has awarded fresh Linkage Grants for collaborations between Macquarie University, Patrys (ASX:PAB) and Minomic, and between Monash University and Starpharma (ASX:SPL). [ + ]
Modern microscopy addresses an age-old problem
In 1959, Nobel prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman wrote: “It is very easy to answer many of these fundamental biological questions; you just look at the thing!” In 2013, Melbourne cell biologist Leann Tilley is doing just that as part of the global fight against malaria … using some very 21st century ways of ‘looking’. [ + ]
Getting wind of spin bowling’s secrets
Just in time for the Ashes test cricket series this week, two Australian physicists have presented equations highlighting the trajectory of a spinning ball as it moves through the air in the presence of wind. [ + ]
Fingerprint forensics getting closer to the TV representation
Contrary to all the TV shows, in real life only 10% of fingerprints taken from crime scenes yield identifications usable in court. But now a new way of detecting and visualising fingerprints from crime scenes using colour-changing fluorescent films could lead to higher confidence identifications from latent (hidden) fingerprints on knives, guns, bullet casings and other metal surfaces. [ + ]
Pharmaxis, Phylogica and LBT win ARC grants
Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS), Phylogica (ASX:PYC) and LBT Innovation (ASX:LBT) will all receive Australian Research Council linkage grants for projects with universities. [ + ]
