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. [ + ]

AusBiotech, its member CEOs and directors were yesterday hosted at Parliament House for this year’s CEO Forum, which was addressed by a range of speakers on innovation policy and programs, including the Hon Greg Combet, Minister for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation. [ + ]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in science and technology roles across the country are being encouraged to enter the inaugural Deadly Award for Scientist or Science Project of the Year. [ + ]

Preserved muscle fibres from a 380-million-year-old fossil fish reveal that the vertebrate neck and abdominal muscles evolved earlier than previously thought. [ + ]

The UK’s NICE has issued a draft decision recommending reimbursement of Iluvien, an ocular insert developed by pSivida (ASX:PVA), for pseudophakic DME patients. [ + ]

Researchers from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute, led by Drs Atsushi Miyawaki and Akiko Kumagai, have discovered a fluorescent protein in the Japanese Unagi freshwater eel. Not only is this the first fluorescent protein found in vertebrates, but it could also be used to help save human lives. [ + ]

The United States Supreme Court has released its landmark decision in Association for Molecular Pathology et al v Myriad Genetics, Inc et al. The Court unanimously agreed that “A naturally occurring DNA segment is a product of nature and not patent eligible merely because it has been isolated, but cDNA is patentable because it is not naturally occurring.” [ + ]