Author Archives: Science Media Centre
Cannabis products: the future for epilepsy and other conditions
The case of Billy Caldwell has grabbed the attention of the country as debates have raged around whether cannabis should be legalised, if cannabis products should be available on the NHS, who should have the final say on medical matters and whether the UK has the right approach to illegal drugs. A lot of this debate assumes that cannabis and its products have an important role in modern medicine, and epilepsy in particular, but the science is not that straightforward.
expert reaction to study looking at the BCG vaccine and blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetes
A study published in npj Vaccines investigated the BCG vaccine and blood glucose control in patients with type 1 diabetes. read more
expert reaction to genome-edited pigs for viral resistance
A new study, published in the Journal of Virology, demonstrates how scientists genome edited pigs so that they became resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome. read more
expert reaction to study investigating nutritional compounds and Alzheimer’s disease
A new study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, reports positive outcomes for patients with Alzheimer’s who consumed a combination of nutritional compounds, but highlight that further study is required. read more
expert reaction to the association between lifetime drinking and mortality and cancer risk
A new cohort study, published in PLOS Medicine, examines the association of lifetime alcohol use with mortality and cancer risk in older adults. read more
expert reaction to review of medicinal cannabis and calls to legalise recreational cannabis
The government has agreed to review the status of medical cannabis. Prof Celia Morgan, Professor of Psychopharmacology, University of … read more
expert reaction to study looking at marital status and risk of heart disease, stroke and death
A new systematic review and meta-analysis, published in Heart, examines the association between marital status and risk of cardiovascular disease.
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further reaction to Billy Caldwell and the use of cannabis oil for treatment-resistant epilepsy
The comments below follow on from the rapid reaction we sent out yesterday. read more
AI in healthcare: reality vs science fiction
Artificial intelligence (AI) represents a fascinating new frontier in medicine, promising faster and more accurate diagnoses, an increased ability to identify and treat vulnerable patients, and a more efficient and streamlined service that can free up the time of health care professionals. read more
The future of food and health research
Lifespan is increasing but healthspan is not. Diet-related illness is a cause of 350 million deaths each year globally, and is now the number one cause of death and ill health in the UK. read more
expert reaction to home office decision on Billy Caldwell
This roundup was sent out on Saturday 16th June 2018 and was in response to the Home Office over its refusal to release medicinal cannabis oil that it had confiscated from the family of a severely epileptic boy. Several hours later, the government reversed this decision and issued the boy in question a licence to be treated with the oil. read more
Launch of the second report from the Independent Review Panel for DeepMind Health
DeepMind Health set up an Independent Review Panel in 2016 to provide an oversight of the company’s work with the … read more
expert reaction to retraction and republication of study looking at Mediterranean diet and heart disease
The article “primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a mediterranean diet” has been retracted from the NEJM. read more
Antarctica’s contribution to sea level rise from 1992 to 2017
The Antarctic Ice Sheet is an important indicator of climate change and driver of sea-level rise. read more
Expert reaction to research on Antarctic ice loss and sea level rise
A new climate assessment to be published in Nature combines multiple satellite surveys of Antarctica to create the most complete picture of ice loss to date.
Britain’s mammals 2018
The first comprehensive review of British mammal populations for more than 20 years will be launched by The Mammal Society … read more
expert reaction to Britain’s Mammals 2018
The first comprehensive review of British mammal populations for more than 20 years has been launched by The Mammal Society and Natural England. read more
expert reaction to prescription medications and depression
A new study, published in JAMA, investigates the association between prescription medications and depression as a possible side effect. read more
expert reaction to using CRISPR/Cas9 and potential cancer risk in cells
A new study, published in Nature Medicine, investigates whether using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tool may – in some instances – increase cancer risk in cells.
expert reaction to claims that half of premature births could be prevented by technique
Scientists from the Genesis Research Trust have claimed that half of premature births could be prevented by bacteria technique test. read more