In five years' time, Australian researchers aim to know what causes both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with the help of a new national genetic database that has been set up to collect and study DNA from 3000 Australian families with diabetic children.

An improved test for ovarian cancer has been developed by Melbourne researchers. The team from Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research and Monash University's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has developed a test that, in conjunction with the standard test, can detect 90-95 per cent of cancers.

Researchers at Griffith University have developed a new method that monitors patients' vital signs, and sends a message to doctors if there is a problem.

A presentation on Careers for Chemists in Biotechnology, scheduled for Monash University next fortnight, has proved popular.

Biomedical engineering breakthroughs are being achieved at Flinders University. The latest achievement, a bioengineered epidural simulator, has resulted in an Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) award for the researcher, postgrad student Olivia Pallotta.

DNA testing could be the key to preventing the northern hairy-nosed wombat from becoming extinct.

The Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research has been awarded to Sydney University Professor of Medicine, Prof David Celermajer.

A new procedure for knee replacement, in which cultured cartilage cells grow themselves into place, is available now for Australian patients.

Australian cookbook icon Margaret Fulton joined Greenpeace at Sydney's Fox Studios on Friday last week to launch the environmental campaigner's True Food Guide book.