The Australian Institute of Marine Science will start the year off with a new chair and three new members for its council. [ + ]

A minimally invasive procedure is now available to Australian patients suffering from obstructive lung diseases such as emphysema. An alternative to surgical resection of the most diseased part of a lung, endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) involves having an umbrella-shaped, one-way valve endoscopically positioned into the airway serving the affected lobe. [ + ]

Rotaviruses invade cells of the gastrointestinal tract through carbohydrate receptors, findings that may lead to new ways of preventing this contagious childhood disease. [ + ]

Minister for Education and Training Christopher Pyne has announced a new fellowship scheme to expand research capacity in dementia. The NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellowships Scheme provides opportunities for postdoctoral researchers to engage in advanced training in the health, medical, fundamental sciences, social, economic and cultural fields relevant to dementia. [ + ]

The Australian Academy of Science has welcomed last month's announcement that Ian Macfarlane is now the Minister for Industry and Science - a move Academy President Professor Andrew Holmes hopes will be more than a change in title. [ + ]

Researchers have used the most powerful computer in Japan to explore a process observed in both bubbly beverages as well as scientific systems including spin systems, foams and metallic alloys. [ + ]

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) are studying the function of a newly discovered family of proteins associated with archaea - microorganisms believed to be amongst the oldest lifeforms on Earth. [ + ]

We are taking a break over Christmas and will be back in early January to keep you up to date with the latest in life science news. [ + ]

Applications for round three of the NSW Medical Devices Fund have officially opened. The fund is a $5 million per annum technology developments and commercialisation program, with $6.7 million available for the 2015-2016 funding round. [ + ]

The US FDA has approved Cerus Corporation's Intercept Blood System for plasma - said to be the first pathogen reduction system for use by blood establishments in the preparation of plasma in order to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. [ + ]

Universal Biosensors and Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics have announced the Xprecia Stride Coagulation Analyzer - a prothrombin time (PT-INR) testing system which offers high performance and ease of use in an affordable, handheld format. [ + ]

The UK Stem Cell Bank (UKSCB) has approved 84 human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines from Genea Biocells for research in the UK.

The research vessel Investigator was officially commissioned into service on Friday by Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane. At a welcome-to-port ceremony, held on the CSIRO Wharf at Battery Point, Hobart, the vessel was handed over from CSIRO to the Marine National Facility for operation. [ + ]

Life sciences company Lonza has announced collaboration agreements with two prominent innovation clusters in France and Italy, as well as the publication of two early pilot studies conducted in tandem with Lipogen. [ + ]

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and partner TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals have commenced a phase I/IIa trial of a new drug showing promise as a cure for hepatitis B.