Prana Biotechnology has formed a research collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceuticals to study the ability of Prana's investigational movement disorders compound, PBT434, to slow or prevent neurodegeneration of the gastrointestinal system. [ + ]

US researchers have built a lab prototype of a flat microscope, called FlatScope, to provide an alternate path for sight and sound to be delivered directly to the brain. The microscope will sit on the surface of the brain, where it will detect optical signals from neurons in the cortex. [ + ]

Scientific instrument supplier Scientex has been appointed a distributor for the Precisa (Swiss and Chinese) range of analytical, benchtop and specialist application balances. [ + ]

Australian and American researchers have discovered a super cell that may have the potential to help contain the Ebola virus. [ + ]

Epichem, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian-listed PharmAust, has announced plans to expand its laboratory space and hood capacity by 50%. [ + ]

DNA molecules can be damaged by exposure to chemicals, UV light, radical oxygen and radiation. If left unrepaired, this damage could lead to genomic instability and cell death. [ + ]

In the gut of patients with heart failure, important groups of bacteria are found less frequently and the gut flora is not as diverse as in healthy individuals. [ + ]

Australian medical device company Oventus Medical has received FDA 510k clearance for its O₂Vent W device. [ + ]

University of Queensland researchers have discovered that switching off a protein produced in breast cancer cells can stop cancer progression. [ + ]

Exceptional researchers in the fields of infectious disease, autoimmunity, chronic pain and Parkinson's disease are among the Australians honoured with National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Excellence Awards. [ + ]

Medicinal cannabis start-up LeafCann Research and Advisory has appointed Dr Elise Sullivan as its director of clinical education. [ + ]

The Australian Government has signed a 10-year strategic partnership with the European Southern Observatory (ESO). [ + ]

Life sciences company Thermo Fisher Scientific and research centre SRI International have announced a collaboration to enhance small molecule research.  [ + ]

University of Technology Sydney scientist and Associate Professor Cynthia Whitchurch has become the first female scientist to win the David Syme Research Prize in over 30 years. [ + ]

Each year around 78 million people are infected with gonorrhoea, a common sexually transmitted infection. [ + ]