Australian Earth Scientists have joined forces with food scientists and chemists in an international effort to fight global food crime using new tamper-proof technology that pinpoints exactly where in the world particular foods have been produced.

The prevailing wisdom among many scientists and scientific organisations is that, as a rule, scientists are press shy, and those who aren’t are mavericks.

A portable ‘lab on a chip’ that can identify target molecules in blood samples has been created by European researchers. It is being used to measure fertility hormones and detect the genes associated with certain types of cancer.

Dr Nicole Bryce is applying her experience in 3-D imaging to see just how far fluorescent drugs can penetrate into live tumour-cell masses. [ + ]

More than 2000 light microscope images and movies were entered in the 2009 Olympus Bioscapes competition. The stunning winners and honourable mentions included the University of Melbourne's Dr Jeremy Packett-Heaps, whose movie titled 'Sexual Attraction in Spyrogyra' was awarded third place.

The body’s circadian clock may not be as controlling as previously thought. Researchers have established that feeding time determines the activity of a large number of genes completely independent of the circadian clock.

Name changed to give company "more distinct corporate identity". [ + ]

A series of studies carried out at the University of Haifa has found that rodent, reptile and ant lion species behave differently on either side of the Israel-Jordan border. "The border line, which is only a demarcation on the map, cannot contain these species, but the line does restrict humans and their diverse impact on nature," says Dr Uri Shanas.

With two million tons of titanium dioxide nanoparticles being produced each year, the risk of titanium dioxide nanoparticle-induced genotoxicity could be a serious health threat to the community.

A new study indicates that major chemicals most often cited as leading causes of climate change, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are outclassed in their warming potential by compounds receiving less attention.

Mobile phones are on the verge of becoming powerful tools to collect data on many issues, ranging from global health to the environment.

The long delayed regulation of in vitro diagnostics is on its way, possibly as early as this year. Manufacturers should prepare themselves to face the TGA. [ + ]

A new microscopic technique can reveal molecules with undetectable fluorescence - in colour.

Scientists have used high-throughput DNA sequencing technology to diagnose a genetic disease by completely sequencing all of a patient’s genes.

With no visible sensory markers, plants are able to recognise plants grown from the same mother. Plants exhibit less competitive behaviour towards their siblings than they do towards strangers.