The Australian Synchrotron has announced the establishment of the Australian Synchrotron Fellows Program, available to outstanding individuals whose passion for science matches that of the AS’s staff and who will be rewarded with access to Australia’s premier scientific and innovation support facility. [ + ]

Researchers have been able to reconstruct the genome sequence of an outbreak strain of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) that caused over 50 deaths in Germany. They used an approach known as metagenomics, which bypasses the need for growing bacteria in the lab. [ + ]

pSivida (ASX:PVA) has launched channels on each of the four major social networks to provide more outlets to communicate key information to investors. [ + ]

Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has tapped United Medical as its exclusive distribution partner and sales rep for cystic fibrosis treatment Bronchitol in Brazil. [ + ]

UK diagnostics development company AgPlus Diagnostics is to collaborate with New Zealand-based BioTest Diagnostics in the development of a rapid and convenient test for canine progesterone that will be used to pinpoint the narrow window for artificial insemination in canine breeding programs. [ + ]

That question was recently answered with the help of a so-called free electron X-ray laser, which makes it possible to follow in real time how bindings in a molecule are changed and broken. The study, published in Science, found, among other things, evidence of a much-discussed intermediate state before molecules bind to or leave a metal surface. The possibility of monitoring at the molecular level how the electron structure changes in a chemical reaction creates entirely new opportunities for investigating and understanding key chemical processes in detail. [ + ]

People often think that other people are staring at them even when they aren’t, vision scientists have found. [ + ]

Novogen (ASX:NRT) has revealed that one enantiomer of cancer drug candidate CS-6 appears many times more active against brain cancer than the reverse form. [ + ]

The EMA has allocated more time to review Clinuvel’s (ASX:CUV) application for approval of Scenesse as an EPP treatment. [ + ]

Allied Healthcare (ASX:AHZ) says five surgeons have now received early approval to use heart patch CardioCel under the TGA’s Authorized Prescriber Scheme. [ + ]

A Biohackathon will open up scientific problem solving to the public next week in Sydney. [ + ]

Applikon Biotechnology will buy part of the product portfolio of HaloteC Instruments and integrate the instruments and software tech into its bioreactor software offerings. [ + ]

A company is evaluating using pSivida’s (ASX:PVA) eye drug delivery technologies Durasert and Tethadur for its own ophthalmic drug products. [ + ]

The Cancer Council of Western Australia recently allocated $2.8 million in annual funding for research in Western Australia. [ + ]

Australian farmers are set to benefit from 31 new research projects that will look at adapting farming practices to reduce carbon emissions and earn them an income by generating and selling carbon credits. [ + ]