Author Archives: Science Media Centre

expert reaction to news that Wiltshire pair were poisoned by Novichok nerve agent

A man and woman found unconscious in Wiltshire were exposed to Novichok – the same nerve agent that poisoned ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal, police are reporting.  read more

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expert reaction to conference abstract about eating nuts and measurements of sperm quality and quantity, being presented at the ESHRE conference (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology)

A conference abstract presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) explores the effect of nut consumption on semen quality and functionality in healthy males. 

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Can we fix our plastic waste crisis?

From the government to the media to McDonalds, everyone agrees that something must be done about the environmental catastrophe caused … read more

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expert reaction to publishing of part 1 of the cannabis scheduling review and commissioning of part 2

Prof Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Adviser to the UK government, has reviewed evidence for the therapeutic benefit of cannabis-based medicinal products.  read more

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expert reaction to working hours and diabetes

Researchers examine working hours and diabetes risk, in a new study, published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. read more

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expert reaction to antidepressant exposure and autism-like behaviour in mice

A new study, published in eNeuro, assesses antidepressant exposure during pregnancy and autism-like behaviour in mouse pups. read more

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expert reaction to low-dose aspirin and amyloid plaques

A new study, published in JNeurosci, investigates if a low-dose aspirin regimen may represent a new avenue for reducing Alzheimer’s disease pathology. read more

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expert reaction to research association between coffee and lower risk of death

Researchers publishing in JAMA Internal Medicine attempted to evaluate associations of coffee drinking with mortality by genetic caffeine metabolism score. 

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Pre- ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) conference briefing

The annual meeting for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) will take place in Barcelona from 1 – 4 July 2018.  This briefing will offer an opportunity for journalists who plan to cover the key stories from the meeting the chance to hear from four leading fertility experts who will be familiar with the abstracts and can answer your questions on the studies, as well as offer comments on the significance or otherwise of the research, the strengths and limitations, and wider context and implications. read more

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expert reaction to conference abstract about developing an artificial ovary for fertility preservation, being presented at the ESHRE conference (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology)

Researchers presenting at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) demonstrate how they -for the first time – isolated and grew human follicles to a point of “biofunctionality” on a bioengineered ovarian scaffold made of “decellurised” ovarian tissue. read more

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expert reaction to the ongoing CO2 shortage

It has been reported that there is an ongoing CO2 shortage across Europe. read more

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expert reaction to impact of seeing the same doctor on each

In a systematic review, published in BMJ Open, researchers investigate continuity of care with doctors. 
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expert reaction to the Manchester moorland fires

A blaze on Saddleworth Moor, which measures 3.7 miles, has been raging since Sunday night. read more

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expert reaction to Swansea tidal lagoon decision

Plans to build the world’s first tidal power lagoon have been rejected by the UK government. 

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Genome editing and animal research

Many scientists have predicted that genome editing will revolutionise the way we do biological science in coming years as more and more scientists use the technique as a research tool and potential treatment.  read more

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expert reaction to study looking at caffeine and heart cell health in mice and in cells

A new study, published in PLOS Biology, investigates the association between caffeine and protection of cardiovascular cells. 

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expert reaction to investigation of metals in the brain, amyloid plaques and Alzheimer’s disease

A new study, published in Nanoscale, examines metals in the brain and Alzheimer’s disease.

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expert reaction to study looking at herpes virus and Alzheimer’s disease

Scientists publishing in Neuron examine the relationship between human herpesviruses and Alzheimer’s.  read more

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expert reaction to study looking at hot baths and heart health

A new study, published in Scientific Reports, presents findings that state regularly bathing in hot water reduces atherosclerosis and cardiac loading.  read more

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Screen time: what does the science say?

Although they’re an intrinsic part of modern life, a lot of concerns have been raised about the widespread use of screens, particularly among children and teenagers, with claims about their impact on mental health, behaviour, and neurodevelopment being made. read more

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