Author Archives: Science Media Centre
is mandatory vaccination of school children the answer?
At the 2019 Tory Party conference, the Health secretary Matt Hancock responded to the figures showing a further decline in … read more
expert reaction to study on ecig vapour and cancer in mice
Research, published in PNAS, reports that e-cigarette vapour may be carcinogenic in the lungs of mice. A Before the Headlines … read more
ecig vapour and cancer in mice
Research, published in PNAS, reports that e-cigarette vapour may be carcinogenic in the lungs of mice. A Roundup of comments … read more
Prof David Nutt responds to news of the resignation of an expert from the ACMD
Prof Alex Stevens has resigned from the Home Office’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), citing political interference in … read more
expert reaction to the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2019 being won by Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe of the Francis Crick Institute and the University of Oxford (along with William G. Kaelin Jr. and Gregg L. Semenza from the US)
Prof Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe, of the Francis Crick Institute and the University of Oxford, along with William G. Kaelin … read more
expert reaction to Tafida Raqeeb ruling from High Court
The High Court has ruled that Tafida Raqueeb’s parents are allowed to take her abroad for treatment for her severe … read more
expert reaction to study of lung biopsies of patients with lung injury due to vaping
Research, published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), reports that lung injuries from vaping are most likely connected … read more
expert reaction to press release on microplastics and cell death
Research, presented at the Plastic Health Summit in Amsterdam, reports that microplastics may harm human health. Prof Richard Lampitt, Leader … read more
expert reaction to paper advising against routine bowel cancer testing for all over 50s
A study, published in The BMJ, reports that the benefits of bowl cancer screening for 50-79 year olds with low … read more
expert reaction to study on association of antidepressant use with adverse health outcomes
A study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, examined the existing evidence on antidepressants and links to negative health outcomes. Dr … read more
expert reaction to conference abstract looking at pregnant women’s exposure to bisphenol A and lung function in children
A presentation, given at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress, reports on links between the exposure of pregnant women … read more
expert reaction to new papers looking at red and processed meat consumption and health
Five reviews, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, analyse previously published evidence on the relationship between red and processed … read more
expert reaction to study looking at alcohol and risk of dementia and cognitive decline
Research, published in JAMA Network Open, reports on a link between a moderate but non-zero consumption of alcohol and reduced … read more
expert reaction to two conference abstracts looking at air pollution, risk of infant deaths and lung function in children
Two presentations, given at the The European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress, report on links between air pollution and both … read more
expert reaction to childhood vaccination coverage statistics for England in 2018-19
A report, co-authored by Public Health England (PHE) and NHS Digital, gives the childhood vaccination coverage statistics for 2018-19. … read more
expert reaction to study on men using assisted reproduction techniques and risk of prostate cancer
Research, published in The BMJ, reports that men who fathered children via assisted reproduction techniques had a higher risk of prostate … read more
expert reaction to the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC)
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has published a report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC). … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at the effectiveness of AI at diagnosing disease compared to health professionals
Research, published in The Lancet Digital Health, reports that artificial intelligence may be as effective as health professionals at diagnosing disease. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at nuts, weight and obesity
Research, published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, reports a link between increased consumption of nuts and lower weight gain and … read more
expert reaction to relative age in school year, and diagnosis of intellectual disability, depression and ADHD
A study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, reports that being amongst the youngest in a school year is linked to a … read more