A US research team has discovered that coupling commercially available spectral X-ray detectors with a specialised algorithm can improve the detection of uranium and plutonium in small, layered objects such as baggage. [ + ]

CNS has secured a deal to provide clinical and regulatory services for a Nuvilex pancreatic cancer treatment candidate, including planning for an Australian phase IIb trial. [ + ]

The University of Queensland's (UQ) pitch drop experiment marked a milestone last week as the ninth drop of pitch slowly collided with the eighth drop in the bottom of the beaker. [ + ]

Funding is available for translational research in prostate cancer. [ + ]

ResMed (ASX:RMD) has added a new nasal mask and a full-face mask to its AirFit line of sleep-disordered breathing therapy devices. [ + ]

AusBiotech is preparing a submission following the Senate's referral of an inquiry into Australia's innovation system to the Senate Economics References Committee for inquiry and report. [ + ]

A different way of administering chloroquine could see its renewed use to treat malaria. [ + ]

Drawbridge Pharmaceuticals announced that anaesthesia candidate Phaxan outperformed the SOC propofol during the first in-human trial comparing the two drugs. [ + ]

Cues given off by unfertilised female mussel eggs act as a genetically compatible chemoattractant to sperm. [ + ]

The Queensland Government will kick another $1m into the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), a VC fund jointly supported by the federal, Qld, Vic, NSW and WA governments. [ + ]

Nexvet Biopharma will put the proceeds of a $33.6m Series B financing round to funding key clinical trials for its lead products, as well as expanding its development pipeline and US presence. [ + ]

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has announced a review of the low value turnover exemption scheme (LVT scheme), which exempts cost recovery fees on products with low turnover. [ + ]

Fairfax Media has published an article claiming that science body CSIRO is bracing for a May budget cut of up to $150 million, or more than 20% of its total government funding, with the organisation's top executive team modelling a range of scenarios based around this outcome. [ + ]

Innate Immunotherapeutics (ASX:IIL) expects to start recruiting up to 90 secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients for a phase IIb trial of MIS416 in June. [ + ]

ResMed (ASX:RMD) has secured Red Dot designation for a nasal pillow mask and a soon-to-be-launched life support ventilator at this year's awards. [ + ]