With the Australian Government having released its 2016–17 Budget on 3 May, Science Industry Australia has pulled together the top five items that may impact its members. [ + ]

The water-retention strategies of the cactus have inspired a team of scientists to make more efficient fuel cells for electric cars. [ + ]

Single-molecule localisation and tracking (SMLT) is a technique for characterising the motion of individual molecules. [ + ]

Scientists have discovered how to slow common cancers from metastasising, or spreading. It all comes down to three factors: immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells, the protein CD96 and a monoclonal antibody. [ + ]

UQ researchers have created a high-density microbioreactor array — a credit card-sized device that enables cells to be cultured under thousands of different conditions simultaneously, speeding up drug screening. [ + ]

Detecting landmines, IEDs, backpack bombs and other homemade explosives is an area of growing importance in which law enforcement and military forces struggle to keep up with developments. [ + ]

UNSW researchers have found a way to use existing 'big data' to help determine why particular types of cancer develop, how to diagnose those cancers earlier and, ultimately, how to better tailor treatment therapies for patients. [ + ]

Microbiologists have discovered that the superbug Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes infection in a most unusual way — by blowing itself up. [ + ]

Researchers have developed a revolutionary new type of optical fibre laser that is cost-effective to produce, portable and can be tuned to operate over a wide range of the infrared spectrum. [ + ]

Oventus Medical has received clearance from the US FDA for the O₂VENT device, an oral appliance intended to reduce or alleviate snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered a natural process that sees the energy in solar rays break down plant material, rather than build it up. [ + ]

A research team has determined the structure of the Zika virus, revealing insights critical to the development of effective antiviral treatments and vaccines. [ + ]

Australian researchers are at the forefront of developing a vaccine which could lead to lifelong immunity against the influenza virus. [ + ]

Nineteen new pieces of DNA — left by viruses that first infected our ancestors hundreds of thousands of years ago — have been found lurking between our genes. [ + ]

US scientists have discovered two enzymes that appear to play a role in metabolism and inflammation — despite not bearing a resemblance to any known class of enzymes. [ + ]