Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to adolescent well-being and digital technology use
Research published in Nature Human Behaviour demonstrates that the association between digital technology use and adolescent well-being is negative but … read more
expert reaction to Defra’s clean air strategy
Reactions to Defra’s clean air strategy which sets out plans to manage sources of air pollution. Prof Mark Sutton, Environmental … read more
expert reaction to the sudden death of Prof. Martin Gore following a yellow fever jab
Expert reactions to the sudden death of Prof. Martin Gore following a yellow fever jab. Commenting on the yellow fever … read more
expert reaction to series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses about dietary fibre and the risk of non-communicable disease
Research published in The Lancet shows that relatively high intakes of dietary fibre and whole grains could be causally linked to reduced risk of non-communicable diseases. read more
expert reaction to HRT and blood clots
Research published in the BMJ demonstrates that most orally administered hormone replacement therapies were found to be associated with increased venous … read more
expert reaction to study looking at statins and serious mental illnesses
Research published in JAMA Psychiatry provides evidence that exposure to statins might help people with serious mental illness. Dr Derek Tracy, Royal College of Psychiatrists, … read more
expert reaction to media reports that departures at Heathrow were temporarily suspended (and have since resumed) as a precaution after a drone was sighted
Reactions to news of a drone sighting at Heathrow airport. Prof Noel Sharkey, Emeritus Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics … read more
expert reaction to role of exercise-induced hormone on memory in Alzheimer’s models
Research published in Nature Medicine demonstrates that hormones released during exercise are potentially capable of opposing synapse failure and memory … read more
expert encounter with Professor Lovell Badge on Chinese CRISPR Babies Story
One of the biggest science stories of 2018 was the news that a Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, claimed to have … read more
rcpch new guidance on screen time for children
Screen time is now an intrinsic part of most people’s lives in the UK, but campaigns have raised the question … read more
expert reaction to study on depression and social media
Research published in EClinicalMedicine highlights potential issues with greater social media use in relation to young people’s mental health. Prof Peter Fonagy, Head … read more
expert reaction to smokers’ perceptions of vaping
Research published in Addiction claims that a large proportion of UK smokers and ex-smokers overestimate the relative harmfulness of e-cigarettes … read more
expert reaction to new guidance on children’s screen time
Reactions to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health published guidance on screen time. Prof Stephen Scott, Director of … read more
expert reaction to review study looking at non-sugar sweeteners and health
A review of trials and studies published in the BMJ argues that there was little evidence that showed health benefits of non-sugar sweeteners. Prof Tom Sanders, Professor emeritus of … read more
expert reaction to study looking to develop a scavenging molecule to protect against nerve agent poisoning in rats
Research published in Science Translational Medicine demonstrates the use of a molecule that provides resistance to nerve agent poisoning in … read more
expert reaction to Indonesian tsunami
Reactions to the news of a tsunami in the Sunda Strait area of Indonesia. Prof Bill McGuire, UCL, said: ‘Volcanic … read more
expert reaction to gatwick airport drone
Comments on the recent disruption at Gatwick airport caused by a drone. Lambert Dopping-Hepenstal, Fellow of the Royal Academy of … read more
CMO’s annual report: What health could and should be like in england in 2040
The Chief Medical Officer briefed journalists on her annual report at the SMC. The report is an aspirational and strategic … read more
expert reaction to an improved stem cell approach that could aid fight against Parkinson’s
Reactions to research published in European Journal of Neuroscience that describes a possible new treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Dr Alena Pance, Senior Staff Scientist, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said: … read more
expert reaction to new government policy on the disposal of radioactive waste
Reactions to the new Government policy on the disposal of radioactive waste. Dr Shaun Fitzgerald, Director of the Royal Institution, … read more