Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study looking at adolescent memory and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (e.g. from mobile phones),
A prospective cohort study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, examines the association between mobile phone radiation and memory performance in adolescents.
expert reaction to study on consumption of nitrated meat products and manic episodes
A new study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, investigates consumption of nitrated meat products and manic episodes. read more
expert reaction to research on alcohol intake and male fertility
Scientists publishing in Andrology examine the association between moderate alcohol intake and higher semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count.
expert reaction to Cochrane review on omega-3 fatty acids and risk of heart disease, stroke and death
A new review, published in the Cochrane Library, looks at omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. read more
expert reaction to association of digital media use and ADHD symptoms among teenagers
A new study, published in JAMA, investigates whether the frequency of using digital media among 15-16 year olds without significant ADHD symptoms is associated with subsequent occurrence of ADHD symptoms during a 24-month follow-up. read more
the preprint dilemma: good for science, bad for the public? A discussion paper for the scientific community
By Fiona Fox This blog contains the thoughts of the author rather than representing the work or policy of the … read more
Meet the Government Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance
The Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) is responsible for: Providing scientific advice to the Prime Minister and members of cabinet … read more
expert reaction to Nuffield Council on Bioethics new report into genome editing in human reproduction
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has published a new report, ‘Genome editing and human reproduction: social and ethical issues’. read more
Genome editing in human reproduction – Findings of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics inquiry
Genome editing techniques such as the CRISPR-Cas9 system raise the possibility of editing the genome of a human embryo, sperm or egg cell in order to influence the genetic characteristics of the future person. The use of genome editing in embryos for assisted reproduction in humans is currently prohibited by law, but is permitted in some research involving human embryos. read more
expert reaction to study looking at plastic chemicals and rat brains
A new study, published in JNeurosci, reports that adult rats that have been exposed before birth and during nursing to a mixture of chemicals have a smaller prefrontal cortex and perform worse on attention-switching tasks than rats not exposed to the chemicals early in life.
expert reaction to study looking at deletions and rearrangements due to the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique
A new study, published in Nature Biotechnology, investigates the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to make simple cuts in DNA in mouse cells and subsequent on-target mutagenesis due to the inaccuracy of the type of DNA repair process employed.
expert reaction to talc and ovarian cancer, re US court decision on Johnson & Johnson paying damages
Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $4.7bn (£3.6bn) in damages to 22 women who claimed that its talc products caused them to develop ovarian cancer.
expert reaction to study looking at American blood pressure guidelines and how many people in the USA and China would be classed as having high blood pressure
A new study, published in the BMJ, examines the effect of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (AHA) hypertension guidelines on the prevalence of hypertension and eligibility for initiation and intensification of treatment in nationally representative populations from the United States and China.
expert reaction to Phase 2a trial looking at enhancing immune function and reducing infection in the elderly
A new study, published in Science Translational Medicine, examines whether TORC1 inhibition enhances immune function and reduces infection in the elderly.
expert reaction to Thai school children rescued from cave
The Thai school children and their football coach, who were trapped in a cave in Thailand, have now been rescued.
expert reaction to some of the Thai school children being rescued from the cave
Four out of twelve boys have been rescued from a waterlogged cave in Thailand. The mission to free the other boys and their football coach is still underway. read more
expert reaction to news that Wiltshire woman Dawn Sturgess has died eight days after becoming critically ill following poisoning by Novichok nerve agent
A women who was exposed to the Novichok nerve agent in Amesbury, Wiltshire, has died in hospital. read more
expert reaction to Thai school children in cave
Twelve boys and their football coach have been trapped in a waterlogged cave in Thailand for almost two weeks. read more
expert reaction to new scheme for overseas researchers to come to the UK
UK Research and Innovation has announced the new ‘UKRI-Science Research and Academia’ scheme, which allows non-EEA researchers, scientists and academics to come to the UK for up to two years. read more
expert reaction to the science minister’s first major speech
The science minister Sam Gyimah gave his first major science speech at the opening of the Schrödinger Building, Oxford Science Park. read more