Professors Stephen Trumble and Sascha Usenko, of Baylor University, have developed a new method to determine the lifetime chemical profiles of blue whales. As revealed in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientists found the answer in the whales’ earwax plugs. [ + ]

The Catlin Global Reef Record is a free global database and standardised research tool relating to major coral reef ecosystems. [ + ]

An international team of plant scientists has discovered a new enzyme in the common weed thale cress. The substance has an important link to the human brain chemistry responsible for turning off plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease. [ + ]

Professor Elaine Baker, from the University of Sydney, has received the prestigious appointment as a chair in ocean governance from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. [ + ]

The Victorian Government has launched a new round of its Technology Implementation voucher program, giving the state's life science sector a chance to again take advantage of the opportunity. [ + ]

The lead investigator for a trial of Mesoblast's (ASX:MSB) MPCs in spinal fusion procedures will present details from the study at next month's North American Spine Society meeting. [ + ]

The 2013 Janssen Industry Excellence Awards close this Friday 27 September. This is the last chance in 2013 to nominate an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to the biotechnology industry. [ + ]

Advancements in fighting cancer are also driving up the cost of cancer drugs, which could present a major strain on PBS resources, according to Flinders University’s Michael Sorich. [ + ]

International climate scientists, led by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the United States, have reported strong evidence of the human influence on climate change. [ + ]

Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) has started dosing volunteers in a phase I trial of pain patch candidate TPM/oxymorphone and aims to enter phase II in 1H14. [ + ]

Two Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) independent directors have retired and the newly-restructured company is using the opportunity to shave down its board size. [ + ]

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have shown that while the immune cells known as macrophages have a role to play in the normal function of the breast, at certain stages in the menstrual cycle they may also help to make the breast more susceptible to cancer. [ + ]

Researchers from James Cook University (JCU) and The Townsville Hospital have developed a highly sensitive and rapid multiplex diagnostic test for melioidosis. Their findings have been published in the journal Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. [ + ]

Freehills Patent Attorneys has appointed another a partner in their pharmaceutical and biotechnology practice. [ + ]

A poster presentation detailing the activity of BioDiem's (ASX:BDM-I) animicrobial BDM-I in nearly 70 fungal infections has been presented at an interscience conference. [ + ]