The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) invites manufacturers and sponsors of commercially produced in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) supplied in (or exported from) Australia to take part in a survey about the progress of the transition to the new regulatory framework for IVDs, introduced in 2010 and taking full effect on 1 July 2014. [ + ]

Alchemia’s (ASX:ACL) long-serving chairman, Mel Bridges, has left the company, while Timothy Hughes has joined as a non-executive director. [ + ]

Starpharma (ASX:SPL) has appointed a second vice president for business development, as the company prepares to ramp-up commercial discussions for lead product VivaGel. [ + ]

A US specialist device company is evaluating using PolyNovo’s NovoSorb technology for devices used in hernia repair surgery. [ + ]

Listening to the electrical activity of the brain may provide a more effective way of diagnosing and managing epilepsy. [ + ]

Scientific literacy is falling among young adults and to a lesser degree among the broader Australian adult population. [ + ]

The report ‘Science literacy in Australia’, released today, presents the results of a survey to determine Australians’ level of science literacy and how it has changed over the past three years. According to Professor Les Field of the Australian Academy of Science, the results can be described as “a reality check.” [ + ]

Atomic clocks, medical diagnostics and astronomy all need tools for measuring different colours of light. These laser frequency combs are getting smaller and simpler to make. They are not quite DIY for the average home handyman but they are getting there. [ + ]

A new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers’ Network will help to close the higher education gap by supporting aspiring postgraduate and mid-career Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers. [ + ]

ATP Innovations is looking for innovative medtech ideas for Ignition Labs’ seed accelerator program. [ + ]

Researchers have developed a technique for mapping and characterising microbial ‘dark matter’ in the environment. [ + ]

Australian research, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference this week, has highlighted the links between a person’s brain chemistry, genes and their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). [ + ]

A national integrated geoscience data network is being developed by CSIRO, Geoscience Australia and AuScope. The network is designed to break down barriers and open access to Australia’s wealth of geoscience data. [ + ]

Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) has secured ethics approval for a phase II trial of an acne treatment candidate as part of its plans to diversify into the dermatology segment. [ + ]

Trajan Scientific and Medical has completed its acquisition of the chromatography and liquid handling businesses of SGE Analytical Science. [ + ]