COMPANIES

After more than 80 people were struck down by a national salmonella outbreak in Australia this week and the strain was linked to the “Red Dirt” Rockmelons, sale of rockmelons have fallen drastically. This is despite the rare bacterial strain of salmonella being isolated to the Northern Territory. The outbreak has rocked the industry and cut profits.

Untested stem cell treatments are rapidly increasing in Australia because of a regulatory loophole that allows businesses offer potentially harmful or ineffective treatments. As per a new study, Australia has one of the world’s highest concentrations of stem cell businesses that advertise cosmetic and medical treatments online. There is even lack of evidence about the safety and effectiveness of some of the procedures.

People in Canberra seeking medicinal cannabis will so get the support of the ACT government as it would soon be starting a medical marijuana scheme. The government is developing an evidence-based framework for the scheme, Assistant Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris announced on Thursday.

Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have found a link between lower weight and Alzheimer’s disease risk. They have associated lower body mass index (BMI) with greater deposits of Alzheimer's-associated amyloid plaques in the brains of older individuals.

Australian health authorities have warned pregnant women, the elderly and infants to avoid eating a particular brand of watermelons after more than 80 people were struck down by a national salmonella outbreak. The salmonella strain has been linked to the “Red Dirt” Rockmelons.

There is hope that hepatitis C may be eliminated in the next 10-15 years and won’t be a public health threat in Australia anymore. However, study reveals viral hepatitis deaths increased by 63 percent in the last 23 years.

A new study has revealed that only one hour of brisk walking every day may eliminate the health risks commonly associated with long hours of sitting in office. The world-first study by the University of Sydney researchers said that The global cost of physical inactivity for 2013 was US$67.5 billion (AU$90 billion).

Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California have revealed that e-cigarettes are not as healthy as some people think. They emit harmful chemicals with certain models emitting more chemicals than others.

Apple is joining Australia’s fight for marriage equality. The tech giant pledged its support to gay marriage in the country, adding its rainbow-filled logo to the Australian Marriage Equality website Tuesday.

Researchers from Columbia University Medical Centre have revealed that chronic pain increases the risk of opioid addiction. In fact, significant pain may raise the risk of opioid addiction by 41 percent.

A new study by Australian and US researchers has revealed that it is possible to predict organ failure risk post kidney transplant. In what has been defined as a landmark breakthrough in medical research, the scientists identified several genes holding the key to determining the future outcome of a kidney transplant.

A new study has stated that having cinnamon turns poor learners into good ones. It may also target Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and Parkinson's disease.

A study has revealed that HIV-infected mothers who have a strong immune system can benefit from a three-drug antiretroviral regimen during the breastfeeding period. Researchers found evidence that this therapy may eliminate HIV transmission to infants via breast milk.

Singapore researchers have found that kidney failure risks can be minimised by replacing red meat in one’s diet with other kinds of foods such as fish and poultry. As per the study findings, one serving of red meat, substituted with other sources of protein, resulted in a 62 percent reduction in risk of developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Scientists at the Victor Chang and Garvan Institutes has suggested that obese fathers who have decided to have a baby, may pass on metabolic problems to their sons, daughters and even grandchildren. Heart diseases and diabetes may also be passed on.

US scientists at the Columbia University Medical Center have discovered that a toxic Alzheimer’s protein spreads inside the brain through the extracellular space that surrounds the brain's neurons. The protein spreads by jumping from one neuron to the other.

Medlab is all set to give cannabis Australia human trials a boost as it has launched a $5.36 million equity raising. The cash will be mainly used for accelerating a medicinal cannabis human trial program at a leading Australian oncology research hospital.

An Australian study has revealed that women who smoke during pregnancy are at a risk of having boys with low sperm production in their adulthood.

Microsoft may be readying a few things for the Xbox One S. First up is two possible bundles for the console.

New clinical study has shown that e-cigarettes may lead to significant reductions in exposure to harmful chemicals found in tobacco-cigarettes. This in turn helps in cutting the risks of tobacco-related illnesses that are thought to be caused by smoking real cigarettes. Smokers, who shift to smoking only e-cigarette, may find the effects quite similar to complete smoking cessation.

Google's Project Fi has boosted its speed and the access of high-speed data when you travel internationally

ALDI is recalling its Bakers Life Hot Dog Rolls in its NSW and ACT stores after the product was suspected to contain metal shavings. The discount supermarket has urged customers to return the bread buns to where they have purchased them.

Optus will be refunding around 175,000 mobile customers about $2.4 million for its failure to disclose the features and limitations of its insurance. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has said the second largest telco in the country will also write to around 500,000 customers who may be affected.

Telstra’s customers should be able to break fixed contracts without exit fees because of the numerous outages, Choice said. The consumer advocacy group has also claimed Australia’s biggest telco is charging its customers 92 percent premium.

“My Kitchen Rules” judge Pete Evans recently cooked up a controversy on social media due to his comments about sunscreen. His remarks have angered cancer research experts as Evans, during a Q&A session on Facebook, said that sunscreen is full of poisonous chemicals.

UK researchers have found that cannabis smokers who put tobacco in their joints are more likely to get addicted. Likewise, those who do not mix tobacco are far more likely to quit, if they want. Thus, it is way better to smoke marijuana on its own to reduce harm.

MasterCard could pay £19 billion (AU$33 billion) in damages for allegedly setting unlawfully high interchange fees for 16 years. A class action suit in the UK against the financial services giant could see millions of British consumers collecting more than £450 (AU$780) each.

Australians are among the world’s fattest, a new report has revealed. The report on Australia’s health also shows that people Down Under suffer from alarmingly high blood pressure, diabetes and are dying by suicide in record numbers.

University of Western Australia (UWA) researchers have given the Shark Shield a green signal, which comes as a relief to divers and surfers after the recent spate of shark attacks in Australia.