Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to statistical model prediction of an ‘anomalously warm’ 2018-2022
A modelling study published in Nature Communications produced predictions of global mean surface air temperature, and suggested 2018 to 2022 was predicted to be an ‘anomalously warm’. read more
expert reaction to review paper looking at air pollution exposure of babies in prams
A literature review published in the journal Environment International looked at previously-published studies on levels of exposure to air pollution of babies in prams. read more
expert reaction to Genoa motorway bridge collapse
A motorway bridge in Genoa in Italy has collapsed, killing a number of people. read more
expert reaction to two papers on deep-learning analyses of CT scans and eye scans
Two papers published in Nature Medicine looked at deep-learning analyses, one of CT scans and one of eye scans. read more
expert reaction to lab study on the effects of e-cigarette vapour on lung cells
A paper published in Thorax looked at the effects of e-cigarette vapour on lung cells. read more
expert reaction to US jury ruling that Monsanto product linked to man’s cancer
Monsanto was ordered to pay $289m damages to a man who claimed herbicides containing glyphosate, including Roundup, contributed to his cancer. read more
expert reaction to inappropriate Facebook use, anxiety and low self-esteem
Scientists explore the link between adult attachment and problematic Facebook use in new research published in BMC Psychology.
expert reaction to study looking at salt consumption and health risks
Scientists publishing in The Lancet examine the association between salt consumption and health risks.
expert reaction to physical activity linked to improved mental health
A new cross-sectional study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, investigates the association between physical exercise and mental health in 1.2 million individuals in the USA between 2011 and 2015.
expert reaction to study looking at men’s underwear type and semen quality
A new study, published in Human Reproduction, examines the association between type of underwear worn and markers of testicular function among men attending a fertility centre.
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expert reaction to critiques and the authors’ response with respect to an original report of the use of genome editing to correct a mutation in human embryos
Nature has published two Brief Communications Arising (BCAs) by Dieter Egli and colleagues and by Paul Thomas and colleagues. These BCAs are published alongside a Reply from the original authors, Shoukhrat Mitalipov and colleagues. read more
expert reaction to ONS data on mortality trends
The Office for National Statistics has just published new data on mortality trends. read more
ADHD medications – How well do they actually work?
The use of medication for ADHD, particularly in children, is very controversial with lots of public concern about over-prescribing and side-effects from the drugs. Added to that, previous well-publicised research has suggested some of these drugs may not be as good as we thought. read more
expert reaction to perspective piece on the trajectories of the Earth System
Scientists explore a “Hothouse Earth” scenario in a study published in PNAS. read more
expert reaction to study looking at preimplantation genetic testing (pgt) and live births in IVF
Researchers, publishing in Human Reproduction, looked at preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) in women of advanced maternal age (36-40) and whether it’s use increased the likelihood of a live birth after a year. read more
expert reaction to low levels of air pollution linked to changes in the heart
Researchers examine the association between ambient air pollution and cardiac morpho-functional phenotypes in a new study in Circulation. read more
expert reaction to long term abstinence and heavy drinking associated with dementia
A new prospective cohort study, published in The BMJ, examines the association between alcohol consumption and risk of dementia. read more
expert reaction to study attempting to create better bioengineered lungs in pigs
A new study, published in Science Transnational Medicine, demonstrates the production and transplantation of a bioengineered lunch into a large-animal model. read more
expert reaction to meta-analysis of treatment options to reduce cholesterol in those with already low cholesterol
Researchers evaluate the efficacy and safety of further lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patient populations presenting with very low levels of cholesterol, in a new study, in JAMA Cardiology. read more
expert reaction to roundtable report from the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee about coffee, caffeine, mortality and life expectancy
A new report, published by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee, investigates the association between coffee, caffeine, mortality and life expectancy. read more