HEALTH & WELLBEING

Andrews government has revealed that an independent medical committee with 16 people will supervise the medicinal cannabis rollout in Victoria. The committee will also advise the next group of patients who will be provided access to the drug. The government committed $28.5 million in this year’s budget to make medical marijuana available next year to children suffering from severe epilepsy.

New research has revealed that a commonly-used anti-inflammatory drug may be used to treat the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers used an experimental model of Alzheimer's and found out that the drug successfully treated the condition. The anti-inflammatory drug completely reversed brain inflammation and memory loss in mice.

Australian researchers may solve transplant shortages worldwide after they made a breakthrough in cornea treatment. They developed an innovative cornea treatment that is capable of reducing the need for traditional donor issue transplants. Worldwide cornea shortage may be solved with the hydrogel film developed by the scientists.

Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been endorsed by many but new research has showed that it can even slow down cognitive decline in patients. Apart from being good for the heart, the Mediterranean diet is good for the mind too. It may help keep Alzheimer’s at bay.

A Queensland study has found that only a dramatic increase in exercise may allow Australians combat stroke and heart diseases. Moreover, researchers at The University of Queensland that a five-fold increase of the current World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations may also reduce bowel and breast cancers as well as diabetes.

Calcium oxalate crystals, the most common component of human kidney stones, may be dissolved by a natural fruit extract, US researchers have found. The finding may lead to the first advancement in treating calcium oxalate stones in 30 years.

A breastfeeding mother, who is also a maternity ward nurse, almost killed her baby after she went on a raw food only diet. She narrowly avoided jail term after she agreed to provide evidence against her naturopath.

According to a secret study of Australian pubs and clubs, drinkers get more intoxicated at venues with more men. Deakin University researchers have called for lockout laws in Victoria after they found a link between inebriation and proportion of men and young people at a venue.

There is bad news for parents as new research has suggested that head lice have grown immunity to over-the-counter products that are used to treat them. However, the Australian researcher, who carried out the study, also shared an effective tip to combat head lice. The tip to remove lice infestation involves a cheap conditioner, a fine-tooth comb and some patience.

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.

Melbourne health authorities have been forced to issue an alert after 20 people had to be admitted in hospitals after consuming a new batch of synthetic cannabis known as “Blue Lotus.” The consumers of the new batch were admitted in a state of psychosis and that has health authorities worried.

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.

Brisbane has issued a measles alert after an infected man travelled through the city’s international airport. The person from New Zealand spent time at the airport’s transit lounge on July 24 while travelling from Bali to Wellington. Queensland Health has warned those who were in the airport during that time to be alert for measles symptoms such as runny nose, lethargy, fever and a telltale rash.

A new study has found that early or late menopause increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women. Women beginning menopause before age 46 or after 55 are at a risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women having their final menstrual period before 46 were 25 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than women who had their final period between 46 and 55 years.

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).

Actinogen Medical and TauRx Pharmaceuticals are developing Alzheimer’s drugs. The former aims to block elevated cortisol levels in blood while the latter has already tested their drug that slowed the disease by 80 percent.

Medicinal cannabis trial, announced in 2015, will now be available to Queensland children who have severe drug-resistant epilepsy. They can take part in the medical marijuana clinical trial after a deal signed with a British drug company. The State Government signed a memorandum of understanding with GW Pharmaceuticals to access Epidiolex, a liquid form of pure cannabidiol.

The team of scientists including researchers from Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) in Bengaluru, India, unravelled the milk protein’s crystal structure. They found cockroach milk to be amazing protein supplements.

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 statutory review of the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) in Sydney’s Kings Cross is being conducted by NSW Health in a bid to push for more NSW heroin injecting rooms that can be used by minors (16-year-olds) and pregnant women.

Florida is all set to launch its limited medical marijuana market that may prove to be a huge boost for cannabis legalisation 2016. It will start selling medicinal cannabis but only company has been approved to dispense it. Marijuana investors are however divided in their opinion on whether this is the right time to invest in the state’s emerging cannabis industry.

University of Southampton scientists have discovered a novel and potential way to prevent asthma at the very origin of the disease. The findings can challenge the current understanding of the condition. Scientists analysed the impact of gene ADAM33, which is associated with the development of asthma.

Scientists have designed a new protein that will help them understand why nerve cells die in those with the degenerative Alzheimer’s disease and even help in finding an Alzheimer's cure. The University of Sussex scientists created the protein that closely resembles Amyloid-beta (Abeta) proteins in shape and size. The new protein contains two different amino acids (building blocks proteins are made of).

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.

New study has shown that alcohol may raise the risk of seven different cancers. Experts at University of Otago in New Zealand have found links to cancer of the breast, bowel, liver, colon, oesophagus, larynx, throat and mouth.