Sydney University PhD candidate Marc Buhler believes he has tracked down the source of an inherited shield against AIDS, an allele of the CCR5 chemokine receptor, which is shared by many people of Jewish and Viking ancestral origins.

A $100 million international project to sequence the bovine genome is being launched following an intensive lobbying effort in which CSIRO played a key role. [ + ]

NSW's University of New England (UNE) is to offer a course in bioinformatics next year, in recognition of the increased importance of the field for both mathematicians and biologists. [ + ]

A new report by New Zealand's National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) indicates that NZ researchers are now less inclined to reach for the rodent than in previous years, with a 17 per cent drop in the number of animals being used for research, testing or teaching last year. [ + ]

The University of Sydney has become the first research institution in Australia to be granted a non-exclusive research licence by Genetic Technologies (GTG) to use its controversial non-coding DNA patents. [ + ]

Researchers at Biotron have filed a patent covering the blocking of specific ion channel activity formed within the E protein of the SARS virus, offering a potentially new treatment for the disease. [ + ]

If Australia is to keep up with the rest of the world, it will have to make more of its public research institutes. According to a report jointly compiled by Ernst & Young and RMIT University, Australia's R&D performance needs boosting -- and the best way is to increase cooperation between public and private bodies. [ + ]

Pooled development fund Medica Holdings has completed a fund-raising trifecta for its stable of biotech investee companies. [ + ]

Earth and environmental scientists will be able to access data and build realistic models and simulations of earth processes across Australia without leaving their offices, say researchers organising an Australian workshop about a new paradigm in Internet technologies and computing.

WA antimicrobial vet biotech Chemeq (ASX: CMQ) has listed a AUD$7.2 million loss for the 2002-03 fiscal year, described as "in line with the company's budget" despite a recent $25 million injection from share placements. [ + ]

Sydney-based DermaTech Laboratories has scored a AUD$360,000 Biotechnology Innovation Fund grant from the Commonwealth government to research the development of a bacteria-neutral acne lotion. [ + ]

Supercomputer maker SGI is trying to extend its lifespan in the high-performance computing (HPC) market with the launch of the Onyx4 UltraVision, an upgraded flagship system it hopes will appeal to life sciences and other researchers keen to get ever more detail in the graphical representation of their data. [ + ]

Materials science start-up Polymerat has glimpsed light at the end of the tunnel by signing its first joint product development agreements with established biotechs. [ + ]

A new report has identifed three key factors that determine a nation's capacity for innovation, and has found that Australia needs a more co-ordinated and committed approach to innovation policy, if it is to become a leading innovator economy.

Leading international scientists and engineers will meet in Geraldton, Western Australia, next week to discuss building the world's largest radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The meeting is the annual planning meeting for the international community interested in advancing the SKA telescope.