Yeast cells decide whether to have sex with each other within two minutes of meeting according to research published in ‘Nature’. One of the authors of the study, from Imperial College London, says the new insights into how yeast cells decide to mate could be helpful for researchers looking at how cancer cells and stem cells develop.

Some top soccer goalkeepers are able to head off a penalty kick by diving in the correct direction in advance of the kick. Recent research in cognitive science explains how they do this.

To date, in vitro preclinical electrophysiological studies rely mainly on recombinant cell systems like injected oocytes or mammalian cell lines expressing only one specific ion channel.

Nucleofection has become a method of choice whenever transfection of primary cells or difficult-to-transfect cell lines is required.

Lab workers often ask me, "How did you come up with this?" Well, here is a précis of the diji (pipetting syringes) story that will probably get you thinking about that neat gizmo you have been meaning to develop since finding it impossible to open that packet of sauce last Christmas.

The Australian Research Collaboration Service (ARCS ) today launched its Computer Cloud, an initiative designed to give researchers faster and easier access to the Australian Grid network of high performance computers. [ + ]

Although vodka is a reasonably pure mixture of alcohol and water, beverage drinks typically show differences in appeal among brands. The question immediately arises as to the molecular basis, if any, of vodka taste perception.

Doubts about the role played by mutations in the gene BRAF in the development of melanoma have largely been laid to rest by new research which confirms that drugs inhibiting the gene greatly increase chances of survival. [ + ]

Australia’s research funding culture favours experienced scientists at the expense of promoting young researchers with great potential. Changes must be made if the future of Australian science is to be placed in safe hands. [ + ]

"Our newer genome analysis systems, if commercialised, promise genome analysis in one hour, at under $1000," Schwartz says. "And we require that high speed and low cost to power the new field of personal genomics."

The Australian biotech and pharmaceutical industries saw an alarming 75 percent drop in venture fundings over the last four years, compared with a global decline of only 14 percent. That’s according to MedTRACK, a leading database of companies in the industry. [ + ]

Australian biotechs rode a wave of renewed confidence in international markets this week which helped the local bourse to stage its best performance in weeks today. Investors were buoyed by news that China had rejected British media reports it was planning to reduce its European debt holdings, as well as generally improved sentiment towards Europe in the wake of the Greek financial crisis. [ + ]

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and NSW premier Kristina Keneally together opened the new Lowy Cancer Research Centre at Sydney’s University of New South Wales ( UNSW ) this morning. [ + ]

Relevare Pharmaceuticals will present data demonstrating the effectiveness of CNSB015 (flupirtine) as a pain killer at the Third International Congress on Neuropathic Pain in Athens this month. [ + ]

QIAGEN N.V.and Roche Molecular Systems Inc., a unit of Roche Holding AG ( ROG.VX ), have reached an out-of-court agreement ending a dispute over rights for a set of companion diagnostic products developed and manufactured by QIAGEN’s Manchester subsidiary DxS Ltd. [ + ]