Perth-based cancer therapeutics developer Australian Cancer Technology's (ASX:ACU) joint discovery project with Cambridge-based BioFocus (AIM:BIO) has designed a tiny spanner to jam the molecular works of cancer cells that evade conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. [ + ]

Virologists have some suspects, but the animal that originally hosted the lethal coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in humans remains unidentified. [ + ]

In a boost for Australasian research, leading e-publisher RMIT Publishing has announced the release of a new online publishing and content management system to provide researchers with better access to a wide range of Australasian online resources currently available on its Informit Online service.

Standard & Poor's ratings services has raised its corporate credit rating on ResMed (ASX:RMD) to 'BB-' from 'B+', and raised its senior subordinated debt rating on the company to 'B' from 'B-'. [ + ]

Queensland company Élan BioDynamics, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Élan Group, has entered a joint venture with US company Meditech Pharmaceuticals to commercialise a system for detection of biological hazards including aflatoxin, and anthrax. [ + ]

Plans to conduct the first contained field trial of a transgenic virus designed to prevent episodic plagues of the house mouse in the Australian wheat belt have been set back while researchers work to improve its transmission under field conditions [ + ]

Unlisted Melbourne company CogState is contemplating a float on the Australian Stock Exchange, according to CEO Dr Peter Bick. [ + ]

In the last week of August, Australia's first international meeting on sol-gel science and technology revealed the diversity of a scientific process which can produce ceramic and glass materials at low temperatures for use in areas ranging from biotechnology, telecommunications, protective coatings, nanotechnology, environmental monitoring and waste clean-up.

Sydney bioseparations specialist Gradipore (ASX:GDP) has reported an operating loss for 2002-03 of AUD$16.7 million, down from an $18.5 million loss the previous year but slightly higher than the figure forecast by the company in May. [ + ]

Prima Biomed subsidiary PanVax is planning to test its DCtag adjuvant technology with an existing marketed vaccine in human clinical trials, aiming to demonstrate enhanced immunogenicity of the re-engineered vaccine compared to existing formulations. [ + ]

Research and development costs -- including the expense of continuing clinical trials of its promising anti-cancer drug PI-88 -- have seen Brisbane drug-development company Progen Industries (ASX:PGL, NASDAQ:PGLAF) post a net operating loss of AUD$7.8 million to June 30. [ + ]

Melbourne-based drug-discovery company Biota Holdings Ltd (ASX:BTA) has reported a AUD$10.3 million loss for the year to June 30, but much of the loss was due to $9.8 million in expenses incurred by its new US subsidiary Biota Inc during its first full year of operation. [ + ]

AGT Biosciences (ASX:AGT) has presented data on a new gene linked to obesity at the International Diabetes Federation Conference in Paris. [ + ]

Antisense Therapeutics has initiated its first Phase I clinical trial for antisense inhibitor ATL1102, which is being trialled as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. [ + ]

Hundreds of Australians have endured misery and debilitating arthritic pain in the joints after being infected by mosquito-borne Ross River Virus. The symptoms can last for months, and recovered patients can relapse years later. [ + ]