Greenpeace dust claims 'a cheap shot': GM expert
28 October, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillAn expert on genetically modified crops has dismissed claims by Greenpeace that last week's massive dust storm over eastern Australia disproved claims that GE canola pollen would not travel very far.
Nuts ain't nuts: fine-tuning the macadamia industry
25 October, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillIn 1881 an American, William Purvis, pocketed a handful of macadamia nuts from a tree in the Gold Coast hinterland and spirited them away to Hawaii.
ResMed picks up exporter gong
25 October, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerAustralian sleep apnoea devices manufacturer ResMed has taken out the 2002 NSW Premier's Exporter of the Year Award as well as the award for the 2002 NSW Exporter of the Year in the Large Advanced Manufacturer category, which is for manufacturers with more than $20 million in annual sales.
Silver lining for Sunshine Heart
25 October, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillA new Australian developed device that boosts failing hearts while they repair themselves has won a silver medal in the Far Eastern Economic Review's annual Asian Innovation Awards.
How science can help get farmers through the big dry
24 October, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerOne of Australia's recurring agricultural problems is drought, and this year is no exception, with widespread drought conditions across many of Australia's prime agricultural regions. So it's not surprising to discover that developing drought-tolerant crops is a major target for breeders and agricultural biotechnologists around Australia.
Acid test for EpiTan
24 October, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne biotechnology company EpiTan has received approval from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Ethics Committee in Sydney to proceed to Phase IIb clinical trials of its tan-inducing compound Melanotan next month.
Austin, Prima happy after cancer therapy trial
24 October, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerA cell-based cancer therapy developed by the Austin Research Institute and Prima Biomed subsidiary company Cancer Vac has passed through Phase I clinical trials with no signs of significant treatment related side-effects.
AstraZeneca pledges another $35m for Qld biodiscovery partnership
22 October, 2002 by Pete YoungAstraZeneca is investing another $35 million in its joint effort with Queensland's Griffith University to search out naturally-occurring bioactive molecules with pharmaceutical potential.
Wet wheat launched in Wagga
22 October, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillIt looks like any other wheat variety, and it's not genetically engineered, but Drysdale, a new semi-dwarf wheat cultivar launched today in Wagga Wagga, is a harbinger of an agricultural revolution.
VRI launches allergy Phase II trials
22 October, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerVRI BioMedical has started two Phase II clinical trials in Western Australia and the UK to evaluate the use of its probiotic bacteria for prevention and treatment of allergic disease.
Ellex launches new laser
21 October, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillAdelaide company Ellex Medical Lasers yesterday announced it had a signed a contract with Californian manufacturer Lumenis to produce a compact new photocoagulator laser for retinal surgery, the Laserex LP3532.
Acrux moves into new lab facilities
18 October, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerAcrux has officially opened its new facilities in West Melbourne, kicking off a new phase in the company's growth.
Revealed: bacteria's survival guide
17 October, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillThe bacteria that infect human beings have disarmed almost the entire modern arsenal of antibiotics. Not long after new antibiotics are deployed, resistance appears almost magically.
Agenix gears up to trial blood clot tech
16 October, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillBrisbane biotech company Agenix will begin safety and efficacy trials of its new Thromboview blood-clot imaging technology in healthy human volunteers early next year.
Ellex boosts scientific advisory board
14 October, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerEllex Medical Lasers has boosted its scientific advisory board with the appointment Prof John Marshall, an international expert in ophthalmologic lasers, and Peter Falzon, the former director of business development at US-based laser device company Lumanis.