The Australian Government has begun the process to select Australia's next Chief Scientist, in preparation for the conclusion of Professor Ian Chubb's tenure at the end of the year. [ + ]

Members of the Combined Hunter Underwater Group (CHUG), Southern Cross University's (SCU) National Marine Science Centre and Underwater Volunteers NSW will this Saturday visit Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, to record and identify sea slug diversity. [ + ]

Women in Technology (WiT) is once again holding its annual awards program, with nominations open from now until 30 June. The technology industry association supports, develops, recognises and promotes the achievements of Queensland women in ICT and life sciences. [ + ]

Researchers from Sydney's Centenary Institute have discovered a pathway that may be vital for our understanding of allergic asthma - the prevalent form of childhood-onset asthma affecting 2 million Australians. [ + ]

Melbourne biotech Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has announced an Early Access Program (EAP) for its multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy ATL1102 in the European Union, as well as a partnership with a US-based company to develop its growth disorder treatment ATL1103. [ + ]

Prana Biotechnology has announced that the European Commission has approved orphan designation for its lead drug candidate, PBT2, for the treatment of Huntington's disease. [ + ]

Researchers from Clemson University have developed a new urine testing method that is said to reduce costs, achieve faster results, lower the volume of fluid needed and remove the need for invasive blood tests. [ + ]

An international team of scientists studying ultrafast physics has solved a mystery of quantum mechanics, finding that quantum tunnelling is an instantaneous process. [ + ]

Physicists at The Australian National University (ANU) have performed a famous experiment in quantum theory, created by the late theoretical physicist John Wheeler, which suggests that reality does not exist until it is measured. [ + ]

Research led by Deakin University has discovered a pattern between increased climatic temperatures and an increase in the size of the beaks of parrot species in southern and eastern Australia, suggesting that the birds have evolved the larger beaks to cope with a changing climate. [ + ]

Researchers from the ARC Centre for Nanoscale BioPhotonics have reconfigured smartphones as bioanalytical devices that allow for immediate diagnostic testing of arthritis, cystic fibrosis, acute pancreatitis and other clinical diseases. [ + ]

The Australian Academy of Science has announced the election of 21 new Fellows for their outstanding contributions to science and scientific research. [ + ]

Chris Smith has been announced as the incoming CEO and president of Cochlear Limited (ASX:COH). He will become the company's deputy CEO from 1 July and relocate to Sydney to take up the CEO position as of 1 September. [ + ]

AXT and Krishagni Solutions have announced a distributorship agreement for the OpenSpecimen biobanking software solution for clinical researchers. The product is designed to speed up workflow, allowing users to spend less time tracking specimens. [ + ]

Westmead's Children's Medical Research Institute has become home to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation Telomere Analysis Centre (ATAC). The centre's opening coincides with recent CMRI research that illustrates why studying telomeres may lead to treatments for some of the most aggressive cancers. [ + ]