Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to effects of climate change on cities
Research. published in PLOS One, reports predicted changes that major world cities will undergo as a result of climate change. … read more
expert reaction to study on CBT for gaming and internet addiction
An RCT, published in JAMA Psychiatry, reports that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) was able to help some sufferers of internet addiction return … read more
expert reaction to conference abstract looking at insulin nasal spray and cognitive function
An abstract, being presented at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behaviour conference, reports that insulin delivered as a … read more
expert reaction to HPV vaccine, modelling of cancer prevention, and introduction in September of vaccine programme for boys
Public Health England (PHE) have announced plans to provide boys with the HPV vaccine for the first time. This in light … read more
expert reaction to paper looking at nutritional supplements and dietary interventions, and heart disease and death
Research, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, reports that few nutritional supplements or dietary interventions offer protection against cardiovascular disease or … read more
expert reaction to study on successful nerve transfer surgery in paralysis patients
Research, published in The Lancet, reports that nerve transfer surgery can restore some function in patients with complete paralysis. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at trees, carbon storage and climate change
A new study, published in Science, reports on the capacity for trees to reduce atmospheric carbon levels. Dr James … read more
expert reaction to New Scientist exclusive reporting that five deaf Russian couples (and scientist Denis Rebrikov) want to try CRISPR to have a child who can hear
New Scientist reported that biologist Denis Rebrikov intends to use CRISPR gene editing technology on the embryos of deaf couples … read more
expert reaction to opinion piece questioning WHO draft guidance on saturated fat
An opinion piece published in The BMJ argues that WHO recommendations might reduce intake of important foods for preventing disease and improving … read more
expert reaction to study looking at androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, and risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia
Research, published in JAMA Network Open, reports an association between a prostate cancer treatment (ADT) and being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. … read more
expert reaction to House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee Report on Medicinal Cannabis
The House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee has published a report on medicinal cannabis use in the UK. … read more
expert reaction to study on longer pregnancies and risk of stillbirth
Researchers, publishing in PLOS, report that there is an increased risk of still birth in longer term pregnancies. Dr … read more
expert reaction to European heatwave – June temperature data in Europe (from ECMWF and Copernicus Climate Change Service), and climate change attribution data for the French heatwave (from the WWA network)
Data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), reports the … read more
the effects of antibiotics on flu severity and gut bacteria
In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that bacteria in the gut contribute to a range of processes in … read more
expert reaction to study looking at combination therapy involving CRISPR to treat HIV in mice
Researchers, publishing in Nature Communications, have reported the use of CRISPR based gene editing technology in combination with antiviral drugs … read more
expert reaction to Antarctic sea ice trends
A new study reports the change in Antarctic sea ice over the last 40 years, showing increases followed by decreases … read more
expert reaction to study looking at radioactive iodine treatment for overactive thyroid and risk of cancer
Publishing in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers looked at a cohort of 18,000 people to investigate whether radioactive iodine (RAI) – which is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism – is associated with higher risk of cancer. They reported a modest, positive association between higher doses of radioactive iodine and risk of death due to solid cancers. read more
expert reaction to study looking at gut bacteria and health in overweight people
Researchers, publishing in Nature Medicine, report that boosting the levels of a specific gut bacteria – Akkermansia muciniphila – may have beneficial health … read more
expert reaction to IVF and ICSI success rate in men over 50
Research presented in an abstract at the 35th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) shows that … read more
expert reaction to study on parental exposure to solvents in the workplace and risk of autism spectrum disorders
Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine demonstrates that maternal occupational exposure to solvents may increase the risk for autism … read more