Industry News
Farmers need more information about GMOs
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.
[ + ]CSL blood products group completes acquisition
The blood products group has just announced it has completed the $292 million acquisition of 47 antibody collection centres and testing laboratories from Nabi.
[ + ]Melbourne scientists find the gene for height
Scientists at the University of Melbourne have uncovered two of the genes responsible for making men either short or tall.
[ + ]Insect resistant crops
Genetically modified insect-resistant plants offer tremendous possibilities in our continuing war against pests, says Dr Guy Poppy. But he warns that GM plants also pose ecological risks that need to be assessed before any cost benefit analysis can be performed.
[ + ]Radar has health benefit
A radar created to find sunken treasure can also be used to detect breast cancer. The atomic dieletric resistance (ADR) scanner, which sends short pulses of radio waves into the body, has been used to scan 36 patients at Edinburgh's Western General hospital.
[ + ]Winning the war against parasitic worms
Scientists are 'pyramiding' several different pest resistance genes to help win the war against parasitic worms in wheat. CSIRO Plant Industry scientist, Dr Evans Lagudah, says the protection against cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is reducing a $70 million per year cost to the wheat industry.
[ + ]Using red blood cells as couriers
A method of using the body's red blood cells as biomedical 'drug couriers' to fight diseases such as cancer has been discovered by Ulster University's Professor, Tony McHale. Working with colleagues the professor has developed a method of loading red blood cells with drugs that can be released by a beam of ultrasound when they hit the target of diseased tissue.
[ + ]Public sector support for research report
Professor Ron Johnston is co-author (with Dr Mark Matthews) of a recently released report prepared for DETYA under its Evaluations and Investigations Program. The report is titled ‘International Trends in Public Sector Support for Research and Experimental Development'.
[ + ]Victorian biomaterials facility
The Minister for State and Regional Development, John Brumby, has just launched the AorTech Biomaterials research laboratory for the development of medical devices.
[ + ]Qld research centre to expand
The Comprehensive Cancer Research Centre at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) has the dual task of creating cures and creating jobs, Premier Peter Beattie said today.
[ + ]$78.7 million Pre-Seed Fund applications
The Commonwealth government's Industry Research and Development Board has called for applications from experienced venture capital fund managers to operate its Pre-Seed Fund, Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin has just announced.
[ + ]US biotech company seeks links in QLD
A US biotechnology company wants to establish a close working relationship with Queensland biotechnology companies and academic institutions, Premier Peter Beattie has just announced.
[ + ]Gene link with heart disease in smokers
A common gene variant, when carried by cigarette smokers, can significantly increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
[ + ]Hawking argues to alter human genes
Professor Stephen Hawking has argued humans need to change their genetic make-up or be left behind by smart computers that would take over the world, and that DNA should be modified to combat advancing technology.
[ + ]Adelaide study questions treatment
The Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide followed the progress of 220 women with eating disorders over a five-year period. It found that 25% with anorexia and 50% with bulimia sought no treatment for their illnesses. But, more alarmingly, it found the condition of those who did seek treatment did not differ greatly from those who did not seek treatment after five years.
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