Soon after scientists first isolated influenza A type viruses from pigs in 1931 and humans in 1933, they watched it break evolutionary barriers with alarming ease — infecting not only humans, but also aquatic birds, poultry, pigs, horses, dogs and other species. Now, with an intensifying outbreak driven by the emergence of a new strain of influenza A(H1N1), scientists once again have a unique opportunity to study viral evolution in action.

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created the first carbon nanotube device that can detect the entire visible spectrum of light, a feat that could soon allow scientists to probe single molecule transformations, study how those molecules respond to light, observe how the molecules change shapes, and understand other fundamental interactions between molecules and nanotubes.

Current patent data processing technologies are not up to present and future challenges with large bottlenecks holding up thousands of patent applications all over the world. In Europe, the PATExpert project is offering some solutions.

Sydney scientists are treating the arthritic joints of aged canines with adult stem cells [ + ]

Two Sydney diagnostics company to form Novus Diagnostics [ + ]

Nocturnal mammals have an inverted nuclear structure in retinal cells [ + ]

US researchers use microRNAs instead of cMyc to induce pluripotent stem cells [ + ]

A new technique devised by CSIRO may one day allow researchers to better understand membrane proteins in the lab. [ + ]

Last year, Australian biotech Genetic Technologies announced it would enforce its rights to testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 cancer mutations, and all hell broke loose. [ + ]

Saving biotech, growing muscle, finding flukes and Merv Jacobson speaks, all in the March/April 2009 issue of Australian Life Scientist, out now [ + ]

Polartechnics in talks to merge with secret suitor [ + ]

Evado releases clinical trials data collection service [ + ]

Transgenic plants can produce large quantities of HIV inhibitor griffithsin [ + ]

US researchers develop molecular diagnostic for mole and melanoma pathology [ + ]

In the pharmaceutical industry and other manufacturing and processing industries, the traditional laboratory is being replaced with inline, atline and online monitoring. Processes can be adjusted in real time, resulting in higher quality and cost savings.