British researchers have shown that individual neurons are capable of processing far more complex information than traditionally thought. [ + ]

Monash University has announced the appointment of esteemed Australian scientist and medical researcher Professor Scott O’Neill as the University’s new Dean of Science. [ + ]

BioTech Capital One, of the highest profile Australian biotech investment funds announced on Thursday that it will no longer pursue new opportunities in the sector and will liquidate its current investment portfolio, returning the proceeds to shareholders. [ + ]

The merger of private therapeutic protein and biofuels company Farmacule and publicly-listed industrial algae specialists AquaCarotene (AQL) was completed yesterday creating a promising new Australian biotechnology company producing biofuels and plant-made compounds for use in the medical research, nutraceutical and industrial markets. [ + ]

The federal Labor party reached out for the science vote today with the announcement of its Science for Australia’s Future policy, although there’s little there explicitly for life sciences or the biotechnology industry. [ + ]

Using 'dark channel' fluorescence, scientists can explain how biochemical substances carry out their function.

Monash University has announced the appointment of biologist Professor Scott O’Neill to the position of Dean, Faculty of Science.

An 11-year old Irish boy has become the world’s first child to receive a transplant of a new trachea grown from his own stem cells, the BBC has reported. [ + ]

The Australian stock market finished the week up for the fifth week in a row today as investor’s maintained their run of confidence despite weaker-than-expected jobs and retail sales data out of the US overnight. [ + ]

It’s not normally something that would inspire scuba divers to do a double take, but a species of sponge commonly found on the Great Barrier Reef has researchers all in a lather at the prospect of learning about the genesis of cell behaviour. [ + ]

In yet another case of conventional medical wisdom being turned on its head, researchers at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) have completed a study showing that people who consume full-fat dairy may have a lower risk of heart attack. [ + ]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia, with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) estimating it costs Australia $5.9 billion in 2004-2005. [ + ]

The world market for treatments addressing allergic rhinitis will shrink by 20 percent to $US4 billion over the next 10 years as increasing numbers of generic products come to market, according to industry analysts Datamonitor. [ + ]

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) has received grants totalling $450,000 from the Victorian Cancer Agency to support its research into BH3 mimetics cancer drugs and the creation of an information sharing portal focussed on rare cancers. [ + ]

Xenotransplantation specialists Living Cell Technologies (LCT) announced today that promising results from a Phase II clinical trial of its cell implant Diabecell in diabetes patients in New Zealand had prompted the country’s health regulator to approve the addition of four more patients. [ + ]