Articles
The flight of the RoboBee
In the very early hours of the morning, in a Harvard robotics laboratory, an insect called a RoboBee took flight achieving vertical take-off, hovering and steering. Half the size of a paperclip, weighing less than a tenth of a gram, it leapt a few inches, hovered for a moment on fragile, flapping wings and then sped along a pre-set route through the air. [ + ]
A boy and his atom
IBM scientists have unveiled the world’s smallest movie, made with one of the tiniest elements in the universe: atoms. Named A Boy and His Atom, the Guinness World Records-verified movie used thousands of precisely placed atoms to create nearly 250 frames of stop-motion action. [ + ]
CardioCel studies presented at medical conferences
Data from studies involving Allied Healthcare’s (ASX:AHZ) CardioCel technology in cardiovascular repair and stem cell growth were presented at two recent medical meetings. [ + ]
Global molecular science facility features Enware fit-out
One of Australia’s premier research facilities, the newly refurbished La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, has installed an extensive range of Enware safety, laboratory and specialist plumbing solutions into its teaching, research and laboratory facilities. [ + ]
Public companies must monitor social media
New ASX disclosure guidelines on monitoring social media for leaks of market-sensitive information herald a new era of reporting compliance, according to Buchan Consulting. [ + ]
Australian biotech sector grew 7% in 2012
Revenue from the world’s major biotech markets grew 8% in 2012, but weak R&D spending growth is a sign that the sector has still not fully recovered from the GFC, says Ernst & Young. [ + ]
pSivida partner launches Iluvien in the UK
Alimera has launched Iluvien, the intravitreal implant designed by pSivida (ASX:PVA), into the UK market. [ + ]
Balancing act
Dr Robin Hobbs got off to a stellar start with a breakthrough finding published in Nature. Now he’s continuing to investigate a delicate balancing act that occurs within stem cells in the testis. [ + ]
Public consultations on Asian Century country strategies
Australia’s position in the Asia-Pacific region, in what has been dubbed the Asian Century, means biotechnology is poised in the right industry in the right region. [ + ]
Robust oxygen analyser helps composting process for organic fertiliser
An organic fertiliser manufacturer has selected Michell Instruments’ XZR500 to monitor oxygen levels in its composting process. The innovative process dramatically reduces the time taken to break down animal dung into a useable form and the XZR500 forms part of the control system. [ + ]
STA cleared to market C. difficile treatment
Specialised Therapeutics Australia has won approval to market fidaxomicin - the C. difficile treatment licensed from Optimer Pharmaceuticals - in Australia. [ + ]
Calypso CG-MALS system succeeds in ABRF-MIRG study
Wyatt Technology is pleased to report the success of the Calypso composition-gradient multi-angle light scattering (CG-MALS) system in a study conducted by the Molecular Interactions Research Group (MIRG) of the Association of Biomolecular Research Facilities (ABRF). [ + ]
Metabolomics and mass spectrometry at Murdoch University
Through the national network for metabolite analysis and identification, Metabolomics Australia, Murdoch University’s Separation Science and Metabolomics Laboratory recently received $1 million for infrastructure and equipment. [ + ]
Pharmaxis shares plunge on new Bronchitol setback
Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has revealed a phase III trial of Bronchitol in bronchiectasis failed to meet its primary goal, sending its share price falling 45%. [ + ]
Strong early results from Mesoblast spinal trial
Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has completed a six-month follow-up from a phase II trial of its adult stem cells in intervertebral disc repair, revealing encouraging interim results. [ + ]
