Science Current Events & Science Articles 2009

The Pittsburg Conference as bellwether for the laboratory industry....so what's the verdict

SIA — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:38:31 +0000

By Russ Swann - Guest Editor

Unless you've been living on Mars for the last year or two, it
probably hasn't escaped your notice that there is something of an
economic crisis currently affecting the world's major economies. The
financial sector is suffering badly and spreading its malaise widely:
manufacturing, construction, processing - no industry is
recession-proof. But how is the laboratory sector faring in these
troubled times?

This week in Chicago, the litmus has been applied to the sample.
Pittcon (the Pittsburgh Conference, although it is never held in that
city) is the biggest of the US events in our industry. It runs all
this week in the 'windy city', and serves as a bellwether of the
sector's virility. How then does the wind blow?

My correspondent at the exposition, Jezz Leckenby of Netdyalog,
reports that it is very much an event that is trying to put on a brave
face. The most positive number is the attendee pre-registrations,
which are actually up 3 per cent on last year. This may have something to do
with the generous discounts made available to students, academics, and
unemployed scientists in the run-up, but is at least a bit of good
news. There was also a good turn-out, he reports, for the opening
plenary lecture from Harvard's Professor George Whitesides, which was
on zero cost diagnostics. He was rather upstaged by the founder of
Aldrich (Sigma Aldrich), Dr Alfred Bader. An Austrian refugee jew from
WWII, Bader gave a thrilling account of his life and received the
Pittcon Heritage award.

This, though, is where the good news runs dry. Comparing more numbers,
we see find total conferees down by about 300 to 7100. Exhibiting
companies are about 10 per cent fewer at just over 1000, and the space
they occupy is down by about 20 per cent, counting the number of actual
stands. This is reflected in a 22 per cent drop in exhibition personnel, and a
similar fall in the number of media delegates.

These numbers have turned the litmus red, but it has to be said that
it isn't a very deep red. I have written before about how the
laboratory sector is better placed than many industries to ride out
the economic storm, and the news from Chicago really supports this: if
the numbers are holding up so well in these conditions, perhaps the
outlook is not so bleak after all.

Laboratory Equipment Australia

Science is Cool again......

SIA — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:35:03 +0000

Guest editorial: Russ Swann - LaboratoryTalk

Governments of all persuasions will routinely trot out the mantra that education is their number-one priority, and that of all their number-one priorities science and engineering education comes right at the top. The investment in learning and knowledge, they assure us, is the only way to secure the prosperity of future generations. They usually tell us this just before announcing another round of cuts to their education budget, with the axe falling hardest on the less popular subject areas such as, well, science and engineering.

I think we can all expect to hear more of this blather in the months ahead, as governments look at all areas of expenditure with a level of scrutiny that could easily be thought of as panic. All those countless currency units used to support the corrupt and inept banking system mean that those areas of the economy that create wealth by actually doing things, instead of shuffling bits of paper, are going to find it ever harder to secure funds. Bet on education being one of them, despite its avowed priority-one status.

But there are a couple of reasons to be optimistic about the relative importance of technical learning among the wider educational programme. One of those, ironically, is the economy. We have seen in past recessions that students have a rather different perspective on their choice of courses than they do in times of prosperity. Suddenly an undergraduate might look at a degree in media studies or basketball as something of a luxury, and opt instead for a course offering at least a glimmer of employability. Here the sciences will benefit.

There's also the element of fashion. We have long suffered the stigma of nerdiness and dullness, while the flibbertygibbets of the arts world preened about. But no more: science is once again cool. The reason owes a lot to high-profile Big Science projects in the news, such as the Large Hadron Collider and the Human Genome Project. Even when, as is the case with the LHC, things don't quite go according to plan, the coverage makes our subject areas more sexy.

Possibly goes to show the old maxim - "There's no such thing as bad publicity" holds true in this case.

Why do we continue to act like a provincial Government.....??

SIA — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:47:17 +0000

Whilst the rest of the developed world are planning long-term, considered responses aimed at turning around their economic fortunes by investing wisely in wealth generation and ideas we're blithely throwing money into the wind with nary a care where it lands.
Whilst the US for example has earmarked over US$600M for laboratory instrumentation purchases all we're planning - long term - in the realm of science funding is to build more classrooms for secondary school science classes.
Whilst the rest of the world marches on in the full understanding that long-term economic health and wealth generation comes from nurturing innovation and enterprise level R&D initiatives all I'm seeing are adverts from travel agents exhorting us "To have a holiday on Kevin" as their way of extracting the $900 per head available from March 9

Why.........................?????????????

Life Science Equipment makers face shaky economy, sales environment in 2009

SIA — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:46:47 +0000

Makers of drug development research and medical equipment could face a slowdown in 2009 according to several analysts, as the economy remains weak and clients cut back on spending.

A broad range of companies that service researchers and medical care providers will report quarterly financial results in the coming weeks. But the main concern for investors, said Thomas Weisel Partners analyst Peter Lawson, will be the companies' outlooks moving forward.

"Visibility has been severely impaired as the global slowdown continues and financial markets remain volatile," he said, in a note to investors.

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Cepheid, which makes molecular diagnostic products, has already said it expects to report fourth-quarter results that fall short of analysts' estimates and expects a weak 2009. Meanwhile, Palo Alto, Calif.-based Varian Medical Systems Inc., which makes radiation therapy systems, already reported better-than-expected sales for its fiscal first quarter, though the stock fluctuated earlier in January on concerns of an industrywide slowdown.

Capital spending remains the primary concern, Lawson said, with companies geared toward the industrial markets at risk, including Varian and Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Dionex, which makes analytical instruments for chemicals. On that same note, though, Dionex could also come out ahead, as safety testing remains a key industry. Waltham, Mass.-based PerkinElmer Inc., which provides technology and services for the drug development industry, could also see a benefit from the continued spotlight on safety testing.

"Following comments from individual management teams at recent investor conferences, we expect the default position to be the issuance of muted 2009 guidance, as companies take a cautious look at the current economy, health care spending trends, and capital spending in both lab and hospital environments," said Leerink Swann & Co. analyst Bruce Cranna, in a note to investors.

He and several others in the industry cite a mix of a weak economy, cuts in spending and a stronger U.S. dollar as factors putting pressure on life sciences companies.

Scientific Equipment Manufacturers

An olympic folly

SIA — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:24:20 +0000

An Aussie swimming coach sells training secrets to the Chinese and it hits the front pages of the tabloids. Fair enough. But our precious intellectual property has been flowing the wrong way for generations. Rowan Gilmore contemplates a troubling epidemic.........http://www.anthillonline.com/article_detail.php?id=781

Science Industry Australia Response to Green Paper “Venturous Australia”

SIA — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:09:54 +0000

SIA has read with great interest the Cutler Green Paper “Venturous Australia” and congratulates the Panel on producing a wide ranging report. Its response is as follows:

•    SIA is supportive of the report’s recommendations for changing the tax concession for R&D and the extension of this program to overseas corporations operating in Australia.

•    Whilst acknowledging that the report has called for greater collaboration between PFRAs and industry, SIA is disappointed that the report has not explored more comprehensive mechanisms to facilitate this, including examination of schemes trialled overseas. The proposed pilot linkage voucher scheme, though welcome, will not itself bring about the necessary cultural change in industry.

•    SIA is supportive of the proposals to review patent law and to enable a more cooperative procedure to develop for the use by Australian industry of the outcomes of PFRA research.

•    SIA supports the full funding of PFRA research and the raising of support for public sector research to the proportion of GDP allocated to it in the mid 1990s.

•    SIA is concerned by the report’s suggestion that research block funding to universities should be based on success in winning national competitive grants and on publications in highly ranked journals. It does not believe that this will adequately reward universities that foster active collaboration with the private sector. Research funds received from industry and level of innovative activity (as measured by the “Proof-of-Concept” metric previously described by the SIA) should be part of the distribution formula, especially in the sciences, applied sciences and engineering.

•    SIA is disappointed that the report has not specifically addressed the low number of STEM graduates presently produced. These graduates are at the heart of innovative developments in many areas of industry and Australia currently underproduces them on a per capita basis. A similar comment can be made about technicians with science and engineering backgrounds. The Science Industry’s growth is presently severely constrained by skills shortages.

•    Though alluded to frequently throughout the report, SIA is disappointed that a School for Instrumental Science (or similar) being established at least one of our leading higher education institutions is not one of the recommendations. It is precisely the lack of such a focused curriculum that leaves our Higher Education system mired in the 1980s in terms of curriculum offerings whilst the economy is demanding (and not getting) graduates with skills and learnings based on current technology and techniques.

•    SIA cautions that in identifying areas of national challenge for innovation, the report may encourage an overly narrow focus on R&D. It should be appreciated that making progress in the areas identified calls on complementary competencies, particularly those associated with scientific measurement.

29 September 2008

NSW to appoint Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer

SIA — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:19:15 +0000

The New South Wales Government is to appoint a Chief Scientist andScientific Engineer, and will also fund an academic position inEngineering Innovation at the University of Sydney.

The Minister for Science and Medical Research, Verity Firth, saidthe NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer would be “a championfor the excellent science undertaken in NSW and a strategic adviser onthe best ways it can be used to benefit business, society and theenvironment.”

"A key focus of the NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer’swork will be to foster the quality and level of scientific activity inNSW. But an equally important role will be to help target research anddevelopment capabilities so they effectively support industry andskills growth in our State.”

The NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer will:

champion science and scientific education in the community;
provide expert advice to the Government on scientific and innovation policy matters;
establish a new channel of engagement between the Government and research groups, including universities; and
be a key figure in advancing NSW interests in the National Innovation Review.

Ms Firth said the engineering aspect of the position highlighted thecritical role played by applied science in turning research into newtechnologies, applications and
products.

The appointment will be made following consultations with peak bodies, universities and medical research institute.

The Chair of Engineering Innovation at the Warren Centre of AdvancedEngineering at the University of Sydney will be funded with $250,000provided by the NSW Government, matched by the University.

NSW funding for new institute to focus on HIV/AIDS research

SIA — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:18:29 +0000

The NSW Premier, Morris Iemma, has announced the government willprovide $20 million towards the establishment of a $120 millionNational Institute for Virology.

The institute, to be located at St Vincent’s Hospital in theDarlinghurst Precinct, will employ 300 scientists with a major focus onHIV/AIDS research. It will be headed by Professor David Cooper,currently Director of the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology andClinical Research (NCHECR), which has input from 150 researchers aroundthe state. The NCHECR has been awarded a NHMRC research grant of $17.7million for 2009.

Mr Iemma said the new purpose-built facility would expand theinternational role of New South Wales researchers in the prevention ofHIV and emerging public health issues, such as prevention of HepatitisC.

The Commonwealth has been asked for matching funding, with the aimof the $120 million development being funded one-third by Government,with the balance provided by philanthropy and UNSW on land provided bythe Sisters of Charity. There has been a long-standing interest from amajor international foundation to contribute a further $20 million tothe project.

Urgent action needed on innovation

SIA — Sun, 04 May 2008 12:47:09 +0000

Australia urgently needs to strengthen its national innovation system.

More here.....

Plans for WA ICT precinct launched

SIA — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:19:59 +0000

The Western Australian government has launched the blueprint for theBentley Technology Precinct, which will be Australia’s biggesttechnology precinct and the only one dedicated to information andcommunications technology (ICT).

Under the plans, the existing 42 hectare Bentley Technology Parkwill be extended to 314 hectares, catering for telecommunications,information services and computer gaming companies, as well ascompanies that service this sector including specialised lawyers,patent specialists and financial houses.

The WA government has committed $8.55million for the initialinfrastructure requirements for the long-term project. A $2.2 millioninvestment will contribute to the construction of a high-speed fibrenetwork within the existing park that would be linked to the CBD andprovide initial connection speeds of one gigabit per second. It willeventually be expanded to incorporate the whole precinct, with upgradesin connection speeds up to 10 gigabits per second.

The draft structure plan for the precinct was developed inconsultation with the Curtin University of Technology, City of SouthPerth, Town of Victoria Park, Government departments, industry,academia, researchers and the community.

The US-based company Interzone, which develops online entertainmentproducts, has already established its game development studio withinthe precinct.

Information and comments on the Bentley Technology Precinct DraftStructure Plan can be made at http://www.communityofminds.com.au