Vittorio Hernandez

Alcohol dependence impairs memories and motor skills, but why and how? A recent study revealed for the first time the molecular level brain damage caused by long-term abuse of alcohol.

What happens when flies eat Truvia? Apparently, they die, according to a study conducted by sixth graders.

Equities were firmer overnight despite a mixed round of economic data. In the UK, CPI came in well below estimates while in Europe the ZEW economic sentiment readings for Germany and the region also disappointed. Perhaps the weak data prompted equities higher given investors are hoping to continue seeing stimulus in Europe and low rates in the UK. In US trade it was all about the much stronger-than-expected CPI print. The reading had the market talking that perhaps the Fed's inflation target ...

In US economic data, the consumer price index rose by 0.4% in May - the most in more than a year - while the core rate (excludes food and energy) rose by 0.3%. Economists were tipping 0.2% increases for both series. But housing starts fell by 6.5% to 1.001 million in May after rising by 13.2% in April. Economists had tipped a result near 1.034 million. And weekly chain store sales were up 3.5% on a year earlier, up from 3.3% in the previous week.

He may be a tough and unbeaten boxer, but like any man, Floyd Mayweather Jr also appreciates gifts on special occasions, even though he could afford to buy anything from his estimated wealth of $400 million. On Sunday, for Father's Day, he received a truck. Money May posted a video of his new toy for the big boy in Instagram where he wrote, "I want to thank @badmedina for my Father's Day gift. It's still in the shop being worked on but in 2 days it will be ready for South Beach. Time...

Morgan Ball, the director of BC Iron, said on Tuesday that the mood in Perth is apprehensive but pragmatic after iron ore prices dipped to its 2012 level of $89 per tonne.

A provision in the proposed Coalition budget that broke then Opposition leader Tony Abbott's promise not to impose a new tax was approved in the Australian Senate on Tuesday.

Europe's most active volcano once more showed her might on Sunday by spewing ash and lava, causing the closure of an airport in Sicily, Italy, 3 News reports.

Once again sellers have focussed their attention on the 5400 level for the ASX 200, and once again buyers have shown their willingness to defend the key psychological level. The lows of the session were made in the first half an hour of trade. Thereafter sellers retired for several hours and the index recovered to trade at the best levels of the day at 5417. With an afternoon largely free of event, the index retreated to end the session flat.

Porn stars, it appear, have an affinity with the world of sports, in particular the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2014 games being held in Brazil.

The Al Shabaab, a Sunni Islamist militia based in Somalia and believed to have links with al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for attacks on Sunday that killed 49 single men and women watching the World Cup matches in a Kenyan hotel.

Campbell Soup's (NYSE: CPB) share of the soup market is shrinking because of changing consumer food preference as more people opt for healthier fares. This, in turn, has benefitted private-label brands whose sales are now eating into the soup giant's sales.

All of Monday's improvements have been wiped out after two hours of trade this morning. Continued iron ore weakness, geopolitical concerns in Iraq and Russia together with a downgrade for US growth estimates are some of the major drivers. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 0.15 per cent, with the mining and energy sectors the worst performers.

From a business and investment standpoint, addiction rehab stocks are tricky because you don't want to offend anyone when covering the market potential of the targeted segment.

While headache remains one of the most common disorders of the nervous system, there is no surefire way to permanently rid of it, with people resorting to medication or expensive treatments.

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell is selling its majority shares in Woodside Petroleum for $5.32 billion after tax. That is equivalent to 157 million shares out of 190 million, in effect reducing its stake in the oil and gas company to 4.5 per cent from 23 per cent.

After a downbeat European session, sentiment managed to recover in US trade, despite a continuation of Iraq concerns. There was some positive data out of the US including the Empire State manufacturing index, industrial production and the NAHB housing market index. However, investors seem to be looking ahead to the Fed meeting. The IMF was also on the wires downgrading the US growth forecast for 2014 to 2% (from 2.8%) and maintained 2015 growth at 3%. Major currency pairs just continue to hold t...

In US economic data, the New York Federal Reserve manufacturing index rose from +19.01 to +19.28 in June, above forecasts for a result near +15. Industrial production rose by 0.6% in May, just above forecasts. And capital flows into the US totalled US$136.8 billion in April after the previous month recorded outflows of US$126.1bn.

The loss of England's team to Italy in Friday's match in Manaus, Brazil, had angered English soccer fans to much that they burned the red, white and green flag of Italy right after the game.

Unbeaten American boxer is known for being generous to women. When he was still in a relationship with Shantel Jackson, he showered her with expensive gifts such as jewellery, a luxurious apartment and a car.

Many people who harbor fear of the dentist carry their phobia into their adult years because of the extreme pain caused by the dentist's drill, which they experienced during childhood visits to the tooth doctor.

Petra Diamonds has probably unearthed the largest diamond in its Cullinan mine in South Africa. It is a 122.52-carat rare blue diamond estimated to be worth £60 million.

The Australian sharemarket rose only modestly today, with a lack of major data or corporate events keeping investors at bay. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose by 0.1 per cent, with the recently underperforming miners managing to record healthy gains after four straight weeks of losses.

More than 450 franchises are participating in the International Franchise Expo to be held on June 19 to 21 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. The event offers franchise business opportunities to entrepreneurs via 70 seminars and in-depth symposia.

Sellers have been on the front foot in early trade on Monday, the market moved quickly to the 5380 area at the start of the session, although buyers have been able to defend the level thereafter.

US markets finished the week on a positive note and largely ignored the negative sentiment from Asia and Europe. Investors even brushed off some disappointing economic readings with PPI and consumer sentiment coming in below expectations. The most significant move on Friday was perhaps Japan's sharp reversal higher after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggested he is looking to start cutting corporate taxes in 2015. Abe reached an agreement with lawmakers and this helped Japanese equities rally, d...

In US economic data, producer prices fell by 0.2% in May with the core measure (excludes food and energy) down by 0.1%. Economists had expected 0.1% gains for both measures. Consumer sentiment fell from 81.9 to 81.2 in June, below forecasts centred on 83.0.

Rocco Siffredi, an Italian porn actor, has promised not to engage in sexual intercourse as his way of showing support for the country's football team participating in the ongoing World Cup tournament in Brazil.

Big Head, the Loggerhead Turtle, proved over the weekend that it is a likely good replacement for Paul, the Octopus, as the oracle of the World Cup.