Researchers are now working to develop a new diagnostics platform with which lung cancer can be diagnosed in its early stages, even during a visit to the general practitioner.

The results of the Australian Government’s $700 million annual investment in health and medical research have been showcased in a new publication launched by the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler.

The Acting Director of the Australian Synchrotron, Dr George Borg, and La Trobe University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Tim Brown, have appointed a new Head of Science at the Australian Synchrotron - Dr Andrew Peele.

Cancer is an evolutionary throwback, resembling early multicellular life, and flourishes when the more evolutionarily recent genes that regulate cellular cooperation fail. [ + ]

With the rapid growth of nanotechnology-based products, researchers, manufacturers, regulators and consumers are increasingly concerned with their safety and environmental impact. To help address this issue, ISO has published an International Standard to support the inhalation toxicity testing of nanoparticles.

In the International Year of Chemistry, RMIT University will open a joint research centre with the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology in Hyderabad, India.

Two next generation genome sequencers donated by Perth businessman Charles Morgan have gone online at the Royal Perth Hospital. [ + ]

Australian researchers can look to the future with renewed confidence, thanks to a new Industry Doctoral Training Centre and the Australian Government’s Research Workforce Strategy.

Researchers have found that boosting the immune system cure chronic a viral infection in mice similar to HIV, opening up possible future therapies. [ + ]

Applications for the 2011 Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research are now open. [ + ]

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the release of the first data assessing Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Thanks to improving market conditions and more positive sentiment towards Australian biotechnology companies, Relevare is ready for its IPO, expected to raise $20 million, in March after putting its public listing on hiatus in mid-2010. [ + ]

Australian taxpayers can be confident the research activities they fund meet the highest ethical and moral standards thanks to the establishment of the government’s Australian Research Integrity Committee.

Sigma-Aldrich has acquired the assets of Resource Technology Corporation of Laramie, Wyoming, a company in analytical standards and certified reference materials.

The government’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative will help discover how Australia's research efforts compare to the rest of the world.