A comprehensive systematic review of childhood vaccinations has found no evidence of a link to the development of autism or autism spectrum disorders. [ + ]

Lou Panaccio, an executive with more than 30 years of healthcare and life science experience, has joined the board of Avita Medical (ASX:AVH) as its chairman. [ + ]

Positive results in initial trails suggest gene therapy could treat a common cause of blindness. [ + ]

The Research Australia Awards 2014 are calling for nominations of those making an impact early in their research career; those constantly advocating for health and medical research; philanthropic heroes; and exceptional leaders and pioneers. [ + ]

As part of World Metrology Day, Parliamentary Secretary for Industry Bob Baldwin has announced the winners of this year's National Measurement Institute (NMI) awards. [ + ]

The federal government's first Budget delivers a mixed outcome for science, research and innovation. [ + ]

GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) said Australian type 2 diabetes patients treated with its EndoBarrier therapy were able to reduce or eliminate insulin therapy. [ + ]

If you are a professional working in the therapeutics sector, don't miss the 2014 ARCS Scientific Congress to be held in Sydney at the beginning of June. [ + ]

QUT and Wollongong University, along with two European Institutes, are the first to offer a course in biofabrication. [ + ]

The biotech sector is regrouping after the bruising Federal Budget on Tuesday night delivered a round of cuts for biotechnology, including measures to reduce the R&D Tax Incentive and abolish the Innovation Investment Fund (IIF) and Commercialisation Australia (CA). [ + ]

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CUV) has closed a $7.2m private placement, to help fund development of Scenesse in vitiligo and a post-marketing study of the drug in EPP. [ + ]

Neurodegenerative disease expert professor Ira Shoulson has joined the Prana Biotechnology (ASX:PBT) board to help the company develop PBT2 as a treatment for Huntington disease. [ + ]

Life Sciences Queensland Limited (LSQ) recently recognised its ongoing interaction with NZBIO with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). [ + ]

Scientific equipment supplier AXT has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Delmic, a Dutch company specialising in fluorescent/SEM (SECOM) and cathodoluminescent/SEM (SPARC) correlative microscopy technology. [ + ]

GlaxoSmithKline has opened nominations for the 2014 GSK Award for Research Excellence (ARE). The prestigious award recognises outstanding achievements in medical research and facilitates career development with potential importance to human health and Australian research. [ + ]