Researchers from Monash University's Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine are claiming to have revolutionised knee scans with the development of technology that harnesses the power of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Significant abnormalities observed in cloned mice help reinforce the need to continue to avoid the reproductive cloning of humans, claims Dr Takumi Takeuchi, from Cornell University.

Ongoing research into how the mammalian genome works could lead to major advances in livestock production, according to CSIRO Livestock Industries' researcher, Dr Brian Dalrymple.

Monash researcher Dr Jamie Rossjohn has received a Prime Minister's award for his contribution to science.

Biotech consultant Dr Lyndal Thorburn has been named the 2004 Telstra Business Woman of the Year for the ACT. [ + ]

Shares of California-based Isis Pharmaceuticals rose as much as 13 per cent on Thursday after it said its experimental anti-cancer compound significantly delayed tumour growth and increased the rate of malignant cell death in cell and animal models. [ + ]

A New Zealand-based venture capital fund of between NZ$75-100 million (AUD$70-94.5 million), with a focus on agricultural biotech has been established by the venture capital arm of the NZ government and private collaborators Direct Capital and crown research institute AgResearch. [ + ]

NSW biomaterials company Avastra (ASX: AVS) is investigating the potential of its BioWeld technology -- which uses a protein solder activated by laser light to fuse together blood vessels -- as a drug delivery mechanism. [ + ]

CSIRO and the global industrial gas company the BOC Group have signed a deal to deliver to the international market a new environmentally-safe fumigant for treating soil, insect pests, weeds and diseases.

The Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) has developed a platform which analyses mutations in hepatitis B virus strains carried by patients with chronic disease, and then recommends treatments based on the virus resistance profile. [ + ]

The share price of Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) jumped 25 per cent today on heavy trading after the company announced that the judge in GTG's lawsuit against Applera had ruled largely in the company's favour during the Markman hearing, in which the court rules on the precise meanings of certain disputed technical terms within GTG's patent claims. [ + ]

Biota (ASX:BTA) has launched a share purchase plan, which could raise almost AUD$15 million for the company if fully subscribed. [ + ]

Imugene (ASX:IMU) and the University of Adelaide have set up a new company to develop and commercialise human gastrointestinal applications of the receptor mimic technology (RMT), including cholera, rotavirus, 'travellers' diarrhoea', and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. [ + ]

Swinburne University has restructured its Higher Education Division to create five new faculties, including a Faculty of Life and Social Sciences. Associate Professor Russell Crawford has been appointed the division's new dean.Under the restructure, the other faculties include a Faculty of Design; a Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies; a Faculty of Business and Enterprise; and a Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences.

Perth-based Stirling Products (ASX:STI) and Sydney's Biosignal (ASX:BOS) have both made important moves to strengthen their intellectual property positions on their key technologies. [ + ]