Addressing the shortage of engineering skills in Australia will require targeted policies from the government to attract new engineers and retain existing engineers, according to a new report. [ + ]

The FDA has cleared pSivida (ASX:PVA) to jump straight to phase III trials of its micro-insert to deliver a posterior uveitis treatment, and to cite partner Alimera's data in its IND application. [ + ]

Narhex (ASX:NLS) founder and former CEO John Majewski will form a new company to register and commercialise a HIV treatment developed under his watch in the Mexican market. [ + ]

The Eskitis Institute’s Nature Bank holds a huge array of natural compounds for screening as potential drug leads, and researchers have invented a revolutionary new mass spectrometry tool to detect binding reactions with molecular targets. [ + ]

BioTek has been awarded US patent 8,218,141 covering the combination of two alternate paths for light within the same analytical instrument. [ + ]

A new $33 million supercomputer to be installed at the purpose-built Pawsey Centre in Perth will soon help scientists around Australia and the world to uncover the secrets of the universe. [ + ]

pSivida (ASX:PVA) has had two wins this week for Iluvien, its treatment for vision impairment associated with chronic diabetic macular edema (DME). [ + ]

BioDiem (ASX:BDM) is looking to develop its vaccine technology to target indications beyond influenza through a research partnership with RMIT. [ + ]

Shimadzu UK is continuing its program of investment in the molecular and atomic spectroscopy markets by appointing Andy Winn as a Product Specialist for atomic absorption (AA), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and total organic carbon (TOC) in the company’s Spectroscopy Group. [ + ]

Two University of Queensland scientists are leading teams to develop cutting-edge vaccines aimed at fighting cattle tick infestation and common bovine diseases. [ + ]

The three top performing life science stocks over the last four quarters delivered more than 100% returns over that time. [ + ]

A large-scale trial could pave the way for wider adoption of Sirtex Medical's (ASX:SRX) SIR-Spheres in first-line oncology therapy. [ + ]

New funding guidelines, foreshadowed in December, deliver more generous arrangements for early stage commercialisation (ESC) grant recipients needing to establish manufacturing facilities in Australia to fully commercialise their invention. [ + ]

Figuring out which lambs are the offspring of which sheep can be guesswork for sheep producers. A new, low-cost DNA test to verify sheep parentage could soon help breeders worldwide to record accurate pedigrees and maximise the genetic potential of their flock. [ + ]

CSIRO has been contracted by PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health) to produce antibodies on a large scale that will aid the development of new, safe, affordable and effective vaccines against rotavirus, a major cause of severe and fatal diarrhoea in young children worldwide. [ + ]