The genetics of individuals with Down syndrome have provided researchers with a method to identify a single gene that may be responsible for defective insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes. [ + ]

GSK has opened up nominations for its annual Award for Research Excellence (ARE), said to be one of the most prestigious available to the Australian medical research community. [ + ]

The Australian Academy of Science has elected 21 new fellows, including former Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry and Australia's Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel. [ + ]

Friday, 20 May 2016 is World Metrology Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875. [ + ]

Cost, regulatory speed and flexibility and quality are the key drivers for biopharma companies selecting Australia for early-phase trials, according to a new report. [ + ]

For decades, scientists have been baffled as to why gestational diabetes often leads to type 2 diabetes. The answer could be in our genes' ability to change their behaviour due to signals from the environment. [ + ]

Scitech has been announced as the authorised distributor for the QImaging range of products in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

Australian researchers have developed a model to predict whether a person with acute back pain is likely to go on to develop chronic back pain (lasting longer than three months). [ + ]

IPAS and Austofix have collaborated on the development the VRP 2.0 (Volar Radius Plate) — an innovative device that will help wrist fractures heal faster and can be fitted more easily by surgeons. [ + ]

Professor Tim St Pierre has received the inaugural Panos Englezos Award for his outstanding contribution to the management of, and improvement in, quality of life for patients with the haemoglobin disorder thalassaemia. [ + ]

Regeneus has completed the enrolment of all 20 patients in its STEP trial — the first clinical trial of its allogeneic off-the-shelf MSC product for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. [ + ]

Vanderbilt University has developed a Zika polyclonal antibody that recognises the human Zika envelope (E) protein and can be utilised for a range of applications to study the virus and its function. [ + ]

MilliporeSigma has expanded its line of Guava flow cytometers to feature a high-power modulated green laser, adding to the violet, blue and red lasers already included in the device. [ + ]

Scientex has been appointed as the distributor for AdNanoTek in Australia and New Zealand. Headquartered in Taiwan, AdNanoTek specialises in the design and manufacture of state-of-the-art and fully customisable UHV deposition systems. [ + ]

Vaccitech has received £10m to take a universal flu vaccine, as well as a number of other vaccines that trigger the immune response needed to prevent or treat a range of serious diseases, through clinical trials. [ + ]