Following a pre-IND meeting with the FDA that set the roadmap for clinical trials for its lupus treatment, Invion (ASX:IVX) will file an IND early next year. [ + ]

A non-invasive approach to measuring skin thickness using near infrared light has been published in the latest issue of the Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy by Dr Yuta Miyamae, POLA Chemical Industries, Japan, and his colleagues from School of Science and Technology, Kwansei-Gakuin University, Japan. [ + ]

Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has chosen an Alzheimer's treatment candidate from its alpha-7 programme, and is preparing for both clinical trials and a potential industry partnership. [ + ]

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has welcomed the signing of a research agreement celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationships between Australia and China. [ + ]

Studies reporting the results of industry-sponsored clinical trials present a more favourable picture of the effects of drugs and medical devices than those reporting on non-industry-sponsored trials, according to a Cochrane systematic review. [ + ]

When a person lies they suffer the ‘Pinocchio effect’, which is an increase in the temperature around the nose and in the orbital muscle in the inner corner of the eye. [ + ]

DNA-based anticounterfeiting technology company Applied DNA Sciences has announced that its evidentiary smartDNA platform has been adopted by Vattenfall Eldistribution AB to protect copper assets located in energy stations throughout Sweden. [ + ]

The 2013 Australian Delegation to biotechnology convention BIO, being managed by AusBiotech, gives Australian companies and research organisations a chance to participate on the Australian pavilion at the event. [ + ]

Ant and termite nests at a test site in the West Australian goldfields have been found to contain high concentrations of gold - indicating the presence of a larger gold deposit below without the need for test drilling. [ + ]

Dr Stephen Cameron, a Research Fellow from Queensland University of Technology’s Science and Engineering Faculty, has been awarded a Future Fellowship worth almost $700,000 to analyse genomic data to find out how insects evolved and, in doing so, come to a greater understanding of what makes insects such a successful branch on the tree of life. [ + ]

New research published in the prestigious journal Science has challenged previous notions about how the body fights against malaria infection. Scientists have discovered that platelets, normally known for their role in preventing bleeding, can actually target and kill the parasite that causes malaria as it grows inside red blood cells. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered an immune system ‘kill switch’ that destroys blood stem cells when the body is under severe stress, such as that induced by chemotherapy and systemic infections. [ + ]

A bit reminiscent of the Terminator T-1000, a new material created by Cornell researchers is so soft that it can flow like a liquid and then, strangely, return to its original shape. [ + ]

The Australian Academy of Science’s National Nanotech Research Strategy aims to boost investment and research in nanotech, including in nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. [ + ]

The drug erythropoietin, often called EPO, is banned from sports because it is believed to enhance an athlete’s performance and give people who use it an unfair advantage over unenhanced competitors. A new systemic review of existing research reveals that there is no scientific evidence that it does enhance performance, but that its use in sport could place a user’s health and life at risk. [ + ]