The economic and scientific benefits to Australia's membership of major global science organisations have been outlined in a report by the Australian Academy of Science. [ + ]

Gut microbes from high HIV-risk men drive immune activation in mice and HIV infection in cells, according to a new study. [ + ]

The award-winning concept addresses in situ monitoring of chemical composition in microscopic reaction systems on timescales previously inaccessible to nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. [ + ]

Japanese researchers have found a new way to identify stem cells with the greatest potential for medical use. Their secret weapon? A new microscopy technique. [ + ]

Dow has successfully completed its separation from DowDuPont, becoming a more focused and streamlined materials science company in the process. [ + ]

Bacteria involved in gum disease can travel throughout the body, exuding toxins connected with Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and aspiration pneumonia. [ + ]

An international research team has found a genetic score that reliably predicts the risk, severity and age of onset of depression in young people. [ + ]

Developed by start-up company Lookinglass, the app is designed to reduce the number of physical appointments required with doctors and occupational therapists. [ + ]

NanoString Technologies has announced a commercial agreement with Abcam for the manufacture and sale of antibodies specifically for use with NanoString's GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP). [ + ]

Researchers have used genetic engineering to turn a fungus into a natural antibiotic — one which could serve as a promising cure for a neglected tropical disease. [ + ]

Scientists have developed a new antibody technology that combines the advantages of antibody-based therapies with the convenience of oral drug administration. [ + ]

Serving science company Thermo Fisher Scientific has begun a collaborative project with Genovis, a provider of enzyme products for biological drug development, to develop end-to-end workflows for the preparation, characterisation and monitoring of novel and complex biotherapeutics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). [ + ]

Kazia Therapeutics has summarised data from Part A of its ongoing phase I study of Cantrixil in ovarian cancer — a study which has so far seen promising results. [ + ]

Scientists have discovered that if a particular protein is missing during the foetal stage, no neurons develop that convey pain, temperature and itch. [ + ]

The world's bacteria may by travelling thousands of kilometres through the air instead of hitching rides with people and animals. [ + ]