After raising $1m last year, ImmunAid has launched a second funding round to support development of its personalised treatment technology and IP. [ + ]

The Victorian Government has awarded Technology Development vouchers worth up to $50K for 10 high-tech projects, including research into potential treatments for Crohn's disease. [ + ]

An explanation for how a subset of ovarian cancers block the body's early anti-tumour immune response may expand treatment options for patients. [ + ]

An African medicinal plant - Nauclea latifolia (also known as the pin cushion tree) - has been found to produce large quantities of molecules with analgesic properties. Even more surprising, analysis shows that the molecule is identical to the heretofor wholly synthetic painkiller Tramadol. [ + ]

Biotechnology industry experts are joining forces to support a 'patent box' tax incentive, like that recently introduced on the UK, to keep home-grown IP in Australia and keep the local medical manufacturing industry globally competitive. [ + ]

pSivida (ASX:PVA) attributed costs associated with initiating its phase III trial of Medidur in posterior uveitis for a 69% higher Q4 loss. [ + ]

To celebrate and recognise creativity in Australian imaging science research, CiSRA and the Powerhouse Museum have launched the Extreme Imaging Competition for 2014. [ + ]

The link between neurodegenerative diseases and the consumption of food or water contaminated by blue-green algae has been strengthened with research showing how the algal toxin is misincorporated into proteins. [ + ]

iSonea's flagship AirSonea smartphone-compatible asthma wheeze monitoring device was launched in Australia today by gold medallist Cathy Freeman. [ + ]

Professors Stephen Trumble and Sascha Usenko, of Baylor University, have developed a new method to determine the lifetime chemical profiles of blue whales. As revealed in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientists found the answer in the whales’ earwax plugs. [ + ]

The Catlin Global Reef Record is a free global database and standardised research tool relating to major coral reef ecosystems. [ + ]

An international team of plant scientists has discovered a new enzyme in the common weed thale cress. The substance has an important link to the human brain chemistry responsible for turning off plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease. [ + ]

Professor Elaine Baker, from the University of Sydney, has received the prestigious appointment as a chair in ocean governance from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. [ + ]

The Victorian Government has launched a new round of its Technology Implementation voucher program, giving the state's life science sector a chance to again take advantage of the opportunity. [ + ]

The lead investigator for a trial of Mesoblast's (ASX:MSB) MPCs in spinal fusion procedures will present details from the study at next month's North American Spine Society meeting. [ + ]