Researchers at Imperial College London, have just identified the gene that causes cleft palate, a finding that could improve the diagnosis and treatment of the congenital disorder. [ + ]

Thirty men with prostate cancer are to be turned into genetically modified organisms (GMOs) during trials at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, England, in an attempt to cure the disease by making cancerous cells a target for chemotherapy. [ + ]

Mr Tim Besley, President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, has just released new figures to show an alarming slump in Australia's capacity in physics, chemistry, mathematics and engineering. [ + ]

Getting the message out about combating plant diseases and tackling tropical plant pathogens, including some which have the potential to devastate many of the state’s primary industries, will be topics of focus at an upcoming Cairns conference that will unite experts from across Australia and the Pacific Rim. [ + ]

Monash University has received a funding boost for research projects. The federal government has allocated nearly $30 million to programmes that Monash is undertaking with other research institutes and commercial organisations. Additionally, the Wellcome Trust announced a $6 million donation for biomedical research. [ + ]

WA Labor leader, Doctor Geoff Gallop, has announced he would be the Minister for Science under a Labor Government. Dr Gallop made this statement at the official unveiling of Labor's 'Innovate WA' policy. [ + ]

Senator Richard Alston has launched an attack on the Opposition's Knowledge Nation, claiming Kim Beazley's statement on the first 100 days was "yet another low grade publicity stunt that promises more bureaucratic talkfests but provides no details on what this window dressing will achieve. [ + ]

The results of an Australian PhD questions current theory about nuclear fusion and fission, paving the way for future experiments involving 'superheavy' elements. [ + ]

Australian scientists have discovered DNA links between coral and the human nervous system that could ultimately lead to improvements in the treatment of spinal and brain injuries. [ + ]

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin, have coaxed human embryonic stem cells into becoming blood cells, an advance that may eventually offer a safe and inexhaustible source of blood for transfusions and treatments for many blood diseases. [ + ]

An oral anti-diabetes drug may delay or help prevent high-risk patients from developing the illness, which affects up to 130 million people worldwide. Dr Mark Walker, of Newcastle University, England, told a diabetes conference that rosiglitazone, is effective in preventing the disease in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). [ + ]

Federal Environment Minister, Robert Hill, has just released draft regulations dealing with bioprospecting in Commonwealth areas. The regulations will provide for management of access to genetic and biochemical material found in native plants and animals in Commonwealth areas, such as Commonwealth National Parks. [ + ]

Researchers have found ways to make the cell cultures that produce anti-cancer drugs tougher and longer lasting. Their discoveries, at the University of Birmingham, England, will make it possible to produce larger quantities of monoclonal antibodies, beta interferon and other natural substances used to fight cancer and other prophylactics such as tissue plasminogen activator. [ + ]

Farmers should be provided with more information to allow them to make informed choices with regard to the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into their production systems, according to a new report from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. [ + ]

The blood products group has just announced it has completed the $292 million acquisition of 47 antibody collection centres and testing laboratories from Nabi. [ + ]