Author Archives: Science Media Centre

expert reaction to resignation of the shale gas commissioner

Expert reaction to news that the UK’s shale gas commissioner is resigning. Prof Peter Styles, Professor Emeritus of Applied and … read more

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expert reaction to conference poster looking at kids’ weight and height, and risk of kidney cancer in adulthood

A conference poster presented at the European Congress on Obesity states that heavier and taller children are at greater risk … read more

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expert reaction to conference poster looking at BMI, ill health and death

A conference poster presented at the European Congress on Obesity states that adults with severe obesity class III are 12 … read more

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expert reaction to study on peanut allergy oral immunotherapy and allergic reactions

Research published in The Lancet demonstrates that immunotherapy for peanut allergies increased allergic reactions. Dr Alexandra Santos, MRC Clinician Scientist … read more

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expert reaction to study decoding brain activity to speech

Research published in Nature demonstrates a neural decoder that uses cortical activity to synthesize audible speech. Prof Tom Otis, Chief … read more

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expert reaction report that says over 20 million children worldwide missed out on measles vaccine annually in past 8 years

A report published by UNICEF states that over 20 million children worldwide missed out on measles vaccine annually in past … read more

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expert reaction to study linking a food preservative to altered metabolism and insulin resistance

Research published in Science Translational Medicine shows that propionate, a common food preservative, increased weight gain and glucose production in … read more

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expert reaction to guidance on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age

Reactions to a study published by WHO on young people and sedentary behavior. Dr Kathryn Hesketh, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral … read more

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expert reaction to association of exposure to infections in childhood with eating disorders in adolescent girls

Research published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that infections treated with anti-infective agents are associated with increased risk of eating disorders. … read more

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expert reaction to a study which claims eligibility for statins has risen but benefits may fall

Research published in BJGP argues that increasing eligibility for statins and related ‘number needed to treat’ figures mean that decisions … read more

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expert reaction to a self-powered pacemaker in pigs

Research published in Nature Communications describes a pacemaker that uses harvested biomechanical energy from cardiac motion which achieves energy harvesting … read more

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expert reaction to study looking at loss of Greenland ice sheet mass

Research published in PNAS describes changes in the mass of the Greenland Ice Sheet over the past 46 years. Prof Edward … read more

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expert reaction to study on genetic markers to predict obesity risk

Research published in CELL describes a scoring system based on genetic markers that attempts to predict an individual’s risk for … read more

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expert reaction to media reports that a US scientist has used mitochondrial replacement therapy to make embryos for four women who are carriers of mitochondrial disease

Expert reaction to media reports that a US scientist talking at a public meeting at Harvard University has said he … read more

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when doctors and families disagree: new advice on managing conflict when treating very sick children

The number of children living with serious illness is rising as medical technology allows us to sustain their lives.  There … read more

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expert reaction to screen time and inattention in preschoolers

Research published in PLOS ONE demonstrates that screen time above two-hours at five years of age is associated with an … read more

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expert reaction to study on restoring cellular functions in the pig brain after death

Research published in Nature describes a system that can restore brain circulation and some cellular functions in a pig brain … read more

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expert reaction to red and processed meat consumption and risk of colorectal cancer

Research published in International Journal of Epidemiology argues that people who eat red and processed meat within department of health … read more

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the future of living with dementia – new centre researching technologies in the home

Over 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia – most of them still at home.  Obviously lots of … read more

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expert reaction to study on additional routine ultrasounds

Research published in PLOS Medicine suggests that late pregnancy ultrasounds could eliminate undiagnosed breech presentation of babies and improve the … read more

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