Federal Environment Minister, Robert Hill, has just released draft regulations dealing with bioprospecting in Commonwealth areas. The regulations will provide for management of access to genetic and biochemical material found in native plants and animals in Commonwealth areas, such as Commonwealth National Parks.

Researchers have found ways to make the cell cultures that produce anti-cancer drugs tougher and longer lasting. Their discoveries, at the University of Birmingham, England, will make it possible to produce larger quantities of monoclonal antibodies, beta interferon and other natural substances used to fight cancer and other prophylactics such as tissue plasminogen activator.

An oral anti-diabetes drug may delay or help prevent high-risk patients from developing the illness, which affects up to 130 million people worldwide. Dr Mark Walker, of Newcastle University, England, told a diabetes conference that rosiglitazone, is effective in preventing the disease in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Farmers should be provided with more information to allow them to make informed choices with regard to the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into their production systems, according to a new report from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

The blood products group has just announced it has completed the $292 million acquisition of 47 antibody collection centres and testing laboratories from Nabi.

Scientists at the University of Melbourne have uncovered two of the genes responsible for making men either short or tall.

Genetically modified insect-resistant plants offer tremendous possibilities in our continuing war against pests, says Dr Guy Poppy. But he warns that GM plants also pose ecological risks that need to be assessed before any cost benefit analysis can be performed.

Scientists are 'pyramiding' several different pest resistance genes to help win the war against parasitic worms in wheat. CSIRO Plant Industry scientist, Dr Evans Lagudah, says the protection against cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is reducing a $70 million per year cost to the wheat industry.

A radar created to find sunken treasure can also be used to detect breast cancer. The atomic dieletric resistance (ADR) scanner, which sends short pulses of radio waves into the body, has been used to scan 36 patients at Edinburgh's Western General hospital.

A method of using the body's red blood cells as biomedical 'drug couriers' to fight diseases such as cancer has been discovered by Ulster University's Professor, Tony McHale. Working with colleagues the professor has developed a method of loading red blood cells with drugs that can be released by a beam of ultrasound when they hit the target of diseased tissue.

Professor Ron Johnston is co-author (with Dr Mark Matthews) of a recently released report prepared for DETYA under its Evaluations and Investigations Program. The report is titled ‘International Trends in Public Sector Support for Research and Experimental Development'.

The Minister for State and Regional Development, John Brumby, has just launched the AorTech Biomaterials research laboratory for the development of medical devices.

The Comprehensive Cancer Research Centre at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) has the dual task of creating cures and creating jobs, Premier Peter Beattie said today.

The Commonwealth government's Industry Research and Development Board has called for applications from experienced venture capital fund managers to operate its Pre-Seed Fund, Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin has just announced.

A common gene variant, when carried by cigarette smokers, can significantly increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).