Despite contingency planning, Australia remains highly vulnerable to an influenza pandemic should the deadly strain of avian influenza burning through Asian poultry farms mutate to a form capable of direct human-to-human transmission. [ + ]

The board of Melbourne nanotechnology company Starpharma (ASX:SPL) has been given the discretion to give up the company's pooled development fund (PDF) status if it becomes necessary. [ + ]

It's a Gollum of a pathogen: sneaky, tough, persistent, and able to remain hidden from its host's immune system as it goes about its nefarious business. [ + ]

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has pledged that his government, if re-elected, will contribute AUD$20 million towards the cost of a $60 million brain research institute at the University of Queensland. [ + ]

Macquarie University's decision to waive or reduce Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fees for some science and technology subjects is likely to have little impact on students' choices about where and what they study, according to a Melbourne expert on education policy. [ + ]

Sydney-based Gradipore (ASX:GDP) has entered into a non-exclusive distribution agreement with Sydney-based proteomics specialists Minomic to distribute its Gradiflow BF400 bioseparation instrument nationally. [ + ]

Queensland oncology drug-discovery company Progen Industries has begun a new Phase I/II clinical study of its lead anti-cancer compound PI-88 in patients with malignant melanoma. [ + ]

Perth-based biotechnology company EqiTX (ASX:EQX) and the CRC for Vaccine Technology (CRC-VT) have joined forces to develop and commercialise the CRC's lipopeptide vaccine technology. [ + ]

BioDiem is looking forward to floating on the ASX on January 27, after successfully raising AUD$8.5 million through an IPO. [ + ]

The University of Adelaide has successfully attracted $576,000 worth of funding from the Australian Research Council to research the mineral exploration potential of South Australia's Gawler Craton area.

A protein found in the placenta of pregnant women could be used to predict whether they will miscarry their babies, Monash University/Monash Medical Centre researchers working with scientists at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, have found.

CSIRO has announced its commitment of $5M to the Australian Synchrotron facility (AS) heralding its participation in the $206M facility as a Foundation Partner.

Brilliant green turf all-year round, needing less maintenance and mowing, could soon be available through technology developed at The University of Queensland.

Macquarie University's Australian Centre for Astrobiology (ACA) has supported a recommendation by a new consortium of Australian space-related organisations that the Federal Government help maximise Australia's involvement in the future of space exploration by setting up an Australian space agency.

RMIT researchers are investigating a poisonous weed that threatens native Australian animals and livestock and could pose a serious public health risk.