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| R&DInfo A fortnightly eNewsletter for professionals in the Innovation and Research & Development fields |
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Welcome to R&D Info
R&D Info is a free fortnightly information service for people with a professional interest in R&D, science, technology, innovation, entrepreneurialism and investment. R&D Info is produced by Hallmark Editions as a supplementary service to the monthly newsletter, Australian R&D Review. It is free to receive, but there is a cost to advertise. For further information about R&D Review and about advertising in R&D Info, see the end of this email. This edition is presented in html format, allowing you to browse all the latest news in the research & development sector with even greater ease. If you experience any difficulties with this format, please email info@researchcentre.com.au. © Copyright 2004 Hallmark Editions For details of employment opportunities in the research and innovation
field, see ResearchJobs at http://www.researchjobs.net.au |
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The ABC has been awarded an additional $3.2 million from the Australian Government to increase their science programs and activities. The funding will support existing science programs such as The Lab website and News in Science, and new programs including The ExperiMentals, a contemporary version of Julius Sumner Miller's Why Is It So? Program and the Surfing Scientist which will provide education resources for science and technology teachers that can be downloaded from the web. 2. Queensland Node of NICTA to be Established A new Queensland laboratory for National ICT Australia (NICTA) is to be established to develop solutions addressing threats from terrorism, crime, invasive disease and pests, as well as protecting the security of the online environment within Australia from cyber crime. The node, to be based in Brisbane, will be funded with a contribution of at least $4 million contribution (in kind and cash) from the Queensland Government and a similar amount from NICTA's Commonwealth funding. The research base for the NICTA laboratory will draw upon in-kind contributions from Queensland's universities under agreements currently being drawn up. Specific areas of research for the Queensland node will include software engineering, intelligent systems, information management and integration, surveillance and recognition and security and trusted information access and interaction. It is expected that NICTA QLD will begin operations later this year. 3. Queensland Boosts Supercomputing Investment The Queensland Government has signed an agreement with the Queensland Parallel Supercomputing Foundation (QPSF) to provide $6 million over the next three years towards the enhancement of the state's supercomputing capacity. The funding is in addition to $10 million already committed to the QPSF. Members of the Queensland Parallel Supercomputing Foundation include the University of Queensland, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Southern Queensland, James Cook University and Central Queensland University. 4. Report calls for National Salinity Research Audit The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Science and Innovation has recommended that a comprehensive audit of Australian Government investment in salinity research be undertaken, concluding in its recent report that coordination of salinity R&D and management is fragmented and unbalanced. The Committee believes the audit would assist in mapping the salinity science base and management tools currently available; identify critical research gaps; and assist in bringing greater coherence to the range of science investments for salinity and, potentially, improve their effectiveness. The report notes that a strong case is made for salinity R&D to be nationally coordinated, due to the structural changes ushered in with the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, notably the devolution of natural resource management responsibilities to regions and the fragmentation of efforts at the national level, and to the complexity of salinity research efforts across a large number of agencies and programs. The report recommends that the Rural R&D Corporations invest more substantially in researching sustainable land use systems, and in the development of new salinity technologies, and that a national annual forum on salinity policy, research and management be established to bring together government agency staff, CMOs, land managers, scientists and private consultants. The Report can be found at
5. International Science Linkages Program An initiative of the Government's Innovation Statement Backing Australia's Ability - Building Our Future through Science and Innovation The International Science Linkages programme offers assistance through a Competitive Grants component for international research and development cooperation and related activities. It provides support for Australian researchers who are undertaking strategically focussed, leading-edge, collaborative research projects and associated project-specific workshops with international partners. This includes support for participation in European Union Framework projects and in projects undertaken with APEC economies. Support may be provided to participate in international strategic planning activities for major international projects. The Competitive Grants component also offers support of up to $50,000 per major international conference to be held in Australia. Applications will be accepted from Australian private companies and organisations such as education institutions, Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), industry groups and Commonwealth scientific agencies (eg, CSIRO). Consortia of these may also apply. Grants for the International Science Linkages are made on a competitive basis against specific criteria. Applications are considered in assessment rounds. Applications for the next assessment round open on 30 July 2004 and will close on 27 August 2004. Access to the online application form will be available on the International Science Linkages website from 30 July 2004. Information and guidelines are available from http://www.dest.gov.au/science/isl/ or by contacting the International S&T Policy and Programmes Section by email: isl@dest.gov.au or by phone: (02) 6240 5014.
6. Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences The "Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences: International Frontiers of Science and Technology" is an Australian Government initiative of the International Science Linkages Program to promote and develop linkages amongst the Australian science, technology, engineering communities and internationally. Funding up to an amount of $90.000 per Conference is available through this scheme to assist with the staging of major international conferences that are strategically significant in Australia and address contemporary thematic areas emerging as high priorities. Expressions of interest, comprising a one page summary, are sought from individuals, organisations or consortia, with an outstanding track record in science, technology or engineering, wishing to convene and organise a Sir Mark Oliphant Conference in 2005.A Sir Mark Oliphant Conference must not be part of an existing series. For further information, including the relevant Guidelines, visit http://www.oliphant.org.au
7. A Review of Nitrate Toxicity Much has been written about the toxicity of nitrate in drinking water and the effect it may have on infants and adults. "Blue-baby syndrome" , known medically as "methaemoglobinaemia" because it reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood, has been linked to nitrate in water used to make an infant's formulation. As a result of a medical case over sixty years ago, the level of nitrate in drinking water has been set at 10 mg/L nitrate nitrogen. Almost univerally, this 10 mg/L has been accepted as significant, even though the original medical case has been shown to be related to bacterial contamination rather than nitrate. I am researching the current literature about nitrate toxicity, to infants and adults, as well as nitrate poisoning in animals. While much information is available in journals and on the web, identifying Australian literature and researchers is proving a more difficult task. I am seeking assistance from readers of this articles for contact with persons who could direct me to specific articles or assist in identifying Australian and overseas researchers. Contact Dr Robert Patterson, Lanfax Laboratories, Armidale NSW, Australia.
8. The 7th Australian Research & Development Summit
If so, don't miss the opportunity to gain insight and have your queries
addressed at: IBC Conferences is pleased to announce the 7th Australian Research & Development Summit. The summit will provide key intelligence and insight for research and development on a national and state level and will address the economic opportunities for Australia. The conference will equip you with the up-to-date government and business knowledge to successfully realise and take advantage of emerging opportunities and achieve maximum benefits from commercialisation. Hear new and inspiring case studies from:
Ministerial addresses, expert papers and interactive sessions provide the foundation for what is to be a highly targeted industry event. To secure your place please call Peter Lagios on (02) 9080 4307 or fax your completed registration form to (02) 9290 3844. Alternatively, you can E-mail registration@informa.com.au or register online at www.informa.com.au/r&d2004. 9. World Energy Congress: Energy Policy a Focus Organisers of the 19th World Energy Congress have welcomed release of the Federal Government's energy policy. The 19th World Energy Congress will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, from September 5 to 9. The event will bring together the world's energy leaders to consider the latest developments and trends in energy supply and use, and to shape the best way forward to sustainable energy policies around the globe. "It is important that energy policy is defined and debated, so it is positive that the Australian Government has laid out its approach," notes Philip Aiken - Chairman of the Sydney Congress Organising Committee and Group President Energy, BHP Billiton. "The World Energy Congress will be doing just that, aiming to identify the best way for various countries and economies to power the future in a sustainable way." ISSUES TO BE COVERED INCLUDE:
The Australian Government will be taking an active role, with the event
to be opened by the Prime Minister, on Sunday September 5. www.tourhosts.com.au/energy2004 10. Australian Society for Microbiology 2004 National Conference Sydney SuperDome Come to the largest and most diverse National Biological conference covering 26 microbiological specialties
Program highlights
Go to http://www.asm2004.org for full details including latest scientific program, invited speaker biographies, registration and to create your own personal Attendee Planner. See the stars of tomorrow today and preview the methods of the future now!! Australian Society of Microbiology - bringing the future TODAY.
11. APESMA launches new Business School The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers of Australia, (APESMA), the leading MBA provider in Australia, launched Chifley Business School on the 1st July 2004. The new offering is expected to achieve a world first for flexible management education. A pioneer in it's field, APESMA has established the Chifley Business School to offer a flexible, 'hands-on' approach to management education. The school's unique approach identifies and establishes the individual needs and ideals of employers. The result? Graduates who can increase efficiency in the workplace. Andrew McDonald, Executive Director, Chifley Business School said that
whilst APESMA has held a leadership position in the Australian Management
Education market over the last decade, Chifley Business School signals
the next phase in implementing effective management training and education
in Australia. "We know that managers need practical, relevant courses which provide capability that they can implement immediately into their workplace. Effective management training must lead to more than just knowledge, it must lead to capability - the capacity to use knowledge and skills to achieve outcomes." Chifley Business School is Australia's leading training solutions provider for managers and corporations in the technology sector. For more information about Chifleys' short courses program, phone 1300 85 33 77 or log on to the Chifley website - www.chifley.edu.au. 12. Technology Value Estimation August 11th Melbourne How do you know what you have got is worth anything to anybody? On this one day program you will work through all the steps you need to understand the value of your technology, how that value can be shared between the manufacturer and the other links in the value chain and the commercial risks and time to payback. Using a modelling tool specifically designed to provide an estimation of value, participants will work through practical examples to define what represents value and the criteria that influences the cost effective delivery of that value. Registrations close July 30th. Brochures are available from www.muprivate.edu.au/commercialise 13. Negotiating Technology Deals Join Phil Mendes on Wednesday October 27th in Melbourne for a repeat delivery of this one day program outlining the common traps and pitfalls in negotiating a technology deal. The program and registration form is not yet available but send us an email (g.lane@muprivate.edu.au) to reserve a place on this highly popular program. Scheduled for November 29th through to December 3rd, this is a week of programs include a one day conference and a series of public and customised workshops. 4 outstanding international experts in innovation from the USA and Europe will attend and offer a few companies the opportunity to have a customised workshop through the various sponsorship packages we have developed. If you want to find out more before information is publically released, please contact Delyth Samuel on 03 9810 3212 or 0418 392 194 email d.samuel@muprivate.edu.au. 15. Wray & Associates - Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys Established 1920 Want to:
Wray & Associates can help you keep your concepts, branding and technology safe. The world is small, and getting smaller by the minute. And, with information going global in seconds, protecting intellectual property (IP) is more of a challenge than ever before. Wray & Associates specialise in patents, trade marks and registered designs. With more than 80 years' experience to back us, we can implement commercially relevant solutions specific to your particular needs. Not only will your most important IP interests be protected but we'll help you create valuable new IP assets and enhance the worth of what you already own. The services we provide are required worldwide, and our many successful clients include local and international individuals and entities. Whether you're a lone inventor, a small, medium or large business or even a multinational corporation, at Wray & Associates our aim, above all else, is this - to create solutions that protect our clients' futures. Phone 08 9216 5100 or email wray@wray.com.au for more information. |
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