A team of Wisconsin scientists has found a way to transform human stem cells - both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells - into the critical heart muscle cells by simple manipulation of one key developmental pathway. [ + ]

The St Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has announced the largest-ever release of comprehensive human cancer genome data for free access by the global scientific community. [ + ]

The international SKA Organisation in Manchester, UK, has announced that the AU$2.5 billion Square Kilometre Array radio telescope will be deployed in Australia-New Zealand, as well as South Africa. [ + ]

Scientists have discovered a gene that appears to regulate muscle development and size. Tweaking it could help treat Type 2 diabetes. [ + ]

AusBiotech today announced the appointment of Dr Mark Harvey to its Board, to join the leadership team of AusBiotech in its efforts to grow and attract capital to the biotechnology industry. [ + ]

A novel approach to the use of multiple databases containing information about individual patients and how they respond to different therapies is helping medical scientists to improve cancer treatments. [ + ]

Professor Aidan Byrne is set to contribute greatly to Australia’s strong research future as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Research Council (ARC). [ + ]

In an innovative and informal harmonisation endeavour, the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) and the British Pharmacopoeia Commission (BPC) developed two drug product quality standards that have been aligned in advance of inclusion in their respective compendia. [ + ]

Researchers from Curtin University have received a three-year Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project grant to further investigate the early history of the moon. The work builds on previous uranium-lead dating of moon rocks from NASA’s Apollo 14 and 17 missions, adding samples from Apollo 12, 15 and 16. [ + ]

QRxPharma (ASX:QRX) has been issued a key US patent for its MoxDuo pain formulation, extending its IP protection for the product until 2023. [ + ]

Scientists at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) have made exciting progress in their quest to help patients fight cancer using the body’s own immune system. [ + ]

Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has commenced a phase I/II trial of its BNC105 compound in ovarian cancer patients. [ + ]

Researchers from Western Australia have produced a targeted version of a natural protein that can open up cancerous tumours to attack by the body’s own immune system. [ + ]

Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher has announced applications are open for the 2012 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation, and the 2012 Victoria Fellowships. [ + ]

Adding a new anti-inflammatory drug to conventional malaria treatments may help prevent irrevocable brain damage associated with cerebral malaria. [ + ]