Fifteen Strategic Research Priorities (SRPs) were launched on Friday by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research Dr Craig Emerson, Minister for Science and Research Senator Don Farrell and Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb. [ + ]

Scientists led by The University of Queensland’s (UQ’s) Associate Professor Bryan Fry have found that vampire bat venom contains molecules capable of evading the victim’s immune system. [ + ]

University spin-out company Drop-Tech has developed Mitos Dropix, a droplet-on-demand sampler set to make it easy to produce extremely miniaturised droplet compartments with excellent control over their contents. [ + ]

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has reached an agreement with US PPO FedMed that will allow insurance claims for its BrevaGEN breast cancer risk test to be expedited for 40 million lives. [ + ]

QBiotics is involved in a $10m capital raising, seeking to raise funds for human studies of its anti-tumour candidate and research into the wound-healing potential of a new compound. [ + ]

A new funding program has recently been announced by the State of Victoria and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support joint research and development (R&D) projects. [ + ]

Murdoch University scientists have developed a method for using gene silencing to control root lesion nematodes - plant pathogens which cause major agricultural damage. [ + ]

Current pesticide risk assessment falls short of protecting biodiversity in the northern and southern hemispheres. [ + ]

A University of Sydney researcher has discovered a new species of fungus that causes life-threatening infections in humans and cats. [ + ]

iSonea (ASX:ISN) has engaged a Hong Kong manufacturer to produce its AirSonea mobile wheeze monitoring device, ahead of the product’s Australian launch in September. [ + ]

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) believes a US Supreme Court patent ruling should have no material impact on its commercial operations. [ + ]

Queensland researchers have reprogrammed adult kidney cells to act as stem cells to repair damaged kidneys. [ + ]

Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) said CF patients receiving Bronchitol in recent phase III trials experienced fewer exacerbations long term than the control groups. [ + ]

Australia’s research and science community has formed an alliance to urge political leaders to put short-term politics aside and back a strategic national research policy to build a stronger, smarter nation. [ + ]

In the eight months since its funding was announced, the National Geosequestration Laboratory (NGL) has come a long way towards its goal of establishing itself as one of the world’s leading R&D providers in the field of carbon storage and geoscience. [ + ]