State aids technology transfer  Four companies working with three Upstate universities to commercialize new technologies received $50,000 grants from state funds secured by Assemblyman William Magnarelli, D-Syracuse. The grants were awarded by the Syracuse Center of Excellence Office for Industry Collaboration. Among those receiving the grants was Double A Willow, of Fredonia, which is working with State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse to produce shrub willow as a source of biomass fuel for renewable energy production.

States vie for stem-cell scientists  At the forefront, seven big states are leading the world in political and financial support for embryonic stem-cell research. Their goal: Attract the best stem-cell scientists from around the globe and become a hub for a multi-billion-dollar bioscience industry. So far, their plan appears to be working. In the past two years, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Wisconsin have awarded some $230 million in grants - more than three times as much as the federal government spent on embryonic stem-cell studies in that time - and there has been no shortage of scientists seeking the money.

$3 million federal grant targets viral mutation  Two Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute scientists have received a $3 million federal grant to continue their work on how such viruses as SARS mutate and jump from animals to humans. The long-term goal of the work by researchers Wayne Schultz and Timothy Umland is to develop tests, vaccines and anti-viral medications to deal with pandemic threats.

AlbanyNanotech draws new lab  A German company is the latest international technology firm to set up shop at the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. Berlin-based Atotech specializes in metals and chemicals used by various industries. It employs more than 3,000 people worldwide. The company will have six employees working at the college's Albany NanoTech complex on Fuller Road. The group will do research and development into metallization for the semiconductor industry.

NSF Releases Science & Engineering Indicators 2008  The National Science Foundation (NSF) just released Science & Engineering Indicators 2008, its comprehensive biennial analysis of the U.S. and international science and technology landscape. This version provides thorough details about the features of a rapidly-changing global economy, as countries continue to make investments in their knowledge-based capacity and industries.