Industry News
Value of universities identifying research priorities
The $105 million Queensland Bioscience Precinct is an important example of the type of synergy and leverage that can be achieved by different groups working together, according to University of Queensland (UQ) Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the Group of Eight universities, Professor John Hay.
[ + ]Shrink-proof sheep
Shrinkage of woolen garments on 'wash-day' could soon be reduced dramatically following the discovery that wool shrinkage (felting) is a heritable trait that can be manipulated through selective sheep breeding.
[ + ]CSIRO reeling after wheat virus outbreak
It's a nightmare scenario -- scientists forced to destroy months, even years of their labour to combat an outbreak of a virus never seen in Australia. And it has just happened at CSIRO Plant Industry, where thousands of plants have recently been destroyed to combat the wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), a cereal plant pathogen that has never before been identified in Australia. [ + ]
GM pioneer points to thaw in public opposition
There are signs that, even in the UK and Europe, consumer and political attitudes towards GM crops and foods are thawing, according to the scientist who has led the global campaign for GM agriculture, Prof Channapatna S Prakash. [ + ]
Australian consumers don't mind GM: survey
A new survey suggests the great 'Frankenfood' scare could be over in Australia before it has even begun. [ + ]
Back GM or see our agriculture markets wilt, conference told
Australia runs the risk of being left behind if it does not adopt the production of GM crops, according to two recent reports presented at this week's Ag-Biotech Forum in Melbourne. [ + ]
NSW companies dominate fourth-round BIF funding
More than 40 organisations -- nearly half of them in NSW -- will share nearly $AUD10 million from the fourth round of the federal government's Biotechnology Innnovation Fund (BIF) grants announced today. [ + ]
Ambri tightens its belt, looks for cash
Medical diagnostics company Ambri is striving to tap fresh funding sources while engaging in further staff and cost cutbacks to stretch dwindling cash reserves. [ + ]
Biotechnology in the bush
The wide range of views on genetically modified (GM) crops will be aired next week as the 2003 Biotechnology Innovation Festival highlights various aspects of biotechnology in regional Australia from veterinary and medical sciences to pharmacy, agriculture and the environment.
[ + ]HIV study returns good results for Biota technology
Impressive US test results which indicate the effectiveness of a potential anti-HIV/AIDS drug is generating good news on three levels for anti-viral specialist Biota Holdings. [ + ]
Radioecology study to benefit tropical nations
A Northern Territory radioecology study being conducted by ANSTO will substantially improve environmental risk assessments in tropical nations across the world.
[ + ]Regulatory framework questioned in Pan fiasco
Recent revelations about Pan Pharmaceuticals and Curacel International have thrown the efficacy of Australia's regulatory system into question, with potentially thousands of product lines facing recall and criminal charges being filed. [ + ]
Brilliant bubble breakthrough
While the observation of bubbles in action is endlessly fascinating for children and adults alike, the understanding of their formation and movement is a topic of intense scientific research - a field in which the University of Technology, Sydney has reached a new landmark.
[ + ]Researchers explore biosensor applications for fluorescence discovery
A coral protein with an intense blue colour has properties that could prove useful as a biological probe to track interactions between proteins and cells, according to new research from Monash and Queensland universities. [ + ]
Nanoscience – where physics, chemistry and biology collide
An international symposium on nanoscience will be held at the Australian Academy of Science on Friday 2 May, as part of its Science at the Shine Dome events.
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