A Gold Coast based manufacturer has announced it will open its doors to industry delegates in July, in a move the state government hopes will invite other local manufacturers to share in its techniques and technologies.

It’s part of the “Inside Advanced Manufacturing” industry event organised by the state government, in efforts to contribute to its COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

The economic recovery plan, updated in the state budget last week, prioritises job creation in the manufacturing and resources industries.

Scientists from The University of Queensland Institute for Molecular Bioscience, believe a highly venomous caterpillar may be used to help treat disorders such as epilepsy.

The nettle caterpillar found in South East Queensland, has peptides in the toxins which could be used to develop into medicines to help calm the central nervous system.

Toxins, according to UQ’s Dr Sam Robinson, have previously been used to understand human nervous and cardiovascular systems.

A group of eminent Australians are calling for an end to delays in establishing a federal anti-corruption body.

The open letter addressed to Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said the government kept the people waiting for 922 days for a federal integrity commission.

Mr Morrison announced plans for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission in December 2018, but was stalled during 2019 and was not revived until late 2020.

David Harper, a former judge on the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal and a signatory on the letter said the delays can no longer be tolerated.

The World Health Organisation has stated a large number of third world nations lack enough doses to continue COVAX programmes.

The global sharing scheme has delivered 90 doses to 131 countries, though the number is said to not be enough in protecting populations from the virus’ continual spread.

Additionally the vaccine distribution has been hampered by supply disruptions and manufacturing delays, leading to shortages for nations entirely reliant on COVAX.

A potential case of Covid in Brisbane hotel quarantine may have been transmitted via a worker not infected with the virus themselves.

Tests revealed a flight attendant who tested positive in hotel quarantine, had her strain of the virus linked to another flight attendant from a different flight and on a different floor of the hotel.

Investigations are continuing, with speculation from medical authorities a hotel staff member may have been the intermediary between the two cases which had occurred on Saturday.

The Gold Coast’s housing affordability is diminishing with apartment sales growing to its highest figures in over 8 years, as people move to the area from other Queensland cities and interstate.

Urbis, a property and real estate research firm, said figures have doubled over last year’s first quarter with over 742 apartments sold.

The firm notes the recent boom is starting to price out local purchasers and the city will need to investigate affordability and supply issues for locals.

New South Wales’ Mice plague is forcing an evacuation of the Wellington Correctional Centre.

More than 400 inmates and 200 staff at the Wellington Correctional Centre in central west NSW will be relocated to other facilities over the next 10 days due to a mice infestation.

The mice have caused extensive damage to the infrastructure and present a risk to the health of the prisoners and workers.

Peter Severin, the NSW Corrective Services Commissioner, said the facility will be deep-cleaned and repaired so it’s safe in the event of another mouse plague.

Scientists have revealed New Zealand is due for one of its largest modern earthquakes, as pressure is building in one of the country’s most active fault lines.

It has been 300 years since the Alpine Fault’s last magnitude 8 earthquake and latest research shows there is a 75% chance of another occurring in the next 50 years.

Researchers were able to determine this after collecting data from lake beds along the Alpine Fault to create a history timeline that has revealed extraordinary patterns.