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. [ + ]

Scientists from New Zealand, Austria and the UK have created the world’s smallest reaction chamber, with a mixing volume that can be measured in femtolitres (million billionths of a litre). [ + ]

The University of Melbourne has announced an agreement with vaccine company Bio Farma to develop an adjuvant - a vaccine delivery system which could boost the effectiveness of vaccines for a range of infectious diseases. [ + ]

Animal trials of Starpharma (ASX:SPL) dendrimer-docetaxel showed a significant reduction in tumour cell survival compared to original formula Taxotere. [ + ]

US-based Liquid Robotics, an ocean data service provider and developer of the Wave Glider, today announced that the first Pacific Crossing (PacX) Wave Glider, ‘Papa Mau’, has completed its 9000 nautical mile (16,668 km) scientific journey across the Pacific Ocean to set a new world record for the longest distance travelled by an autonomous vehicle. [ + ]

A new study published in the British Journal of Surgery (BJS) has demonstrated for the first time that a simple breath analysis could be used for colorectal cancer screening. [ + ]

Sirtex Medical (ASX:SRX) has entered a research collaboration with Singapore's SingHealth to explore the applications of Carbon Gage Nanoparticles in combating difficult-to-treat cancers. [ + ]

Iconic Australian biotech, CSL, is rebranding its two core business units covering plasma and pharmaceuticals in line with a company global reorganisation. [ + ]

A group of Curtin University researchers has been awarded a Diabetes Australia Research Trust Grant for research to improve diabetes treatment, potentially eliminating the need for insulin injection. [ + ]

Optibrium and Digital Chemistry, providers of software and database solutions for drug discovery, have announced an agreement to collaborate on the integration of Digital Chemistry’s Bioster database of precedented bioisostere replacements with Optibrium’s StarDrop software suite. [ + ]

Scientists in Australia and India can look forward to greater levels of cooperation and collaboration after the Australian Academy of Science and Indian National Academy of Science today renewed their commitment to work more closely together. [ + ]

While some states have already begun Christmas celebrations, three states are about to host AusBiotech's free Christmas events as their final networking events of 2012. [ + ]

Osprey Medical (ASX:OSP) has signed up the first of a planned 25 patients for an Australian trial of its Limb Recovery System in diabetic patients with limb infections. [ + ]

Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) has resolved crystallisation issues holding up its TPM-Oxycodone pain patch project and expanded the program to include another opioid-based product. [ + ]

The UK’s reimbursement agency has knocked back Illuvien again, saying its benefits do not justify the price. [ + ]