Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study of neonics and honey
Scientists publishing in Science examine the exposure of honeybees to neonicotinoids. read more
expert reaction to evidence for cancer drugs approved by the EMA
The BMJ has published a study investigating the effectiveness of cancer drugs approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
expert reaction to study looking at high blood pressure in middle age and risk of dementia
Published in Neurology scientists report that women who develop high blood pressure in their 40s may be more likely to develop dementia years later. read more
expert reaction to study looking at bullying, anxiety and depression in childhood and adolescence
A new study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, examined the concurrent and longitudinal contribution of exposure to bullying to mental health in childhood and adolescence. read more
expert reaction to Chemistry Nobel Prize
The 2017 Chemistry Nobel Prize as been awarded to Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson for developing cryo-electron microscopy for the high-resolution structure determination of biomolecules in solution.
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expert reaction to association between avoiding meat in pregnancy and substance misuse by children during adolescence
A new study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, examines the association between lower meat consumption by women during pregnancy and increased risk of substance misuse by their children during adolescence. read more
expert reaction: Scotland expected to ban fracking
The Scottish government has announced an “effective ban” on fracking. read more
expert reaction to announcement that the Nobel Prize in Physics 2017 has been awarded to three scientists for their work on gravitational waves
The 2017 Nobel prize in physics has been awarded to three US scientists for the detection of gravitational waves. read more
expert reaction to case report of person having developed liver damage after taking Epsom salts to treat gallstones
A case study, published in BMJ Case Reports, reports that a 38 year old man developed serious liver damage when combined with Epsom salts. read more
expert reaction to study of what would happen if all smokers switched to e-cigs
The potential results of what might be if all smokers switched to e-cigarettes, are published in a new study in Tobacco Control. read more
expert reaction to study using gene therapy in attempt to improve visual function in mice with retinal degeneration
A new study, published in PNAS, reports the use of gene therapy to improve visual function in a mouse model of retinal degeneration. read more
expert reaction to paper on methane from agriculture
A new study, published in Carbon Balance and Management, provides revised estimates of methane emissions and carbon fluxes for global livestock that facilitate the development and evaluation of earth system models and environmental assessments. read more
inconvenient truths
Last week we ran press conferences on climate change and CFS/ME. The subjects are complex and contentious, and there is always the potential for jarring or simplistic headlines and strong reactions from the vocal critics of research in these fields. But it was the criticism from within the scientific community that we had not anticipated. read more
expert reaction to study attempting to correct beta-thalassemia mutation using base editing in human embryos
Scientists publishing in Protein & Cell report the first study using base editing to correct a mutation in human embryos, for the disease beta-thalassemia. read more
expert reaction to study looking at immune cells and fat metabolism in ageing mice
New research, publishing in Nature, investigates how the nervous system and immune system communicate to control metabolism and inflammation in ageing mice. read more
TB vaccines- why are they so hard to develop?
16 years ago, there were no new TB vaccines being tested in clinical trials, despite a huge global burden of disease. Over the last 16 years there has been significant progress and we now have a pipeline of ~12 candidates being tested in human clinical trials. read more
Plan to drill energy research site in Cheshire
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and British Geological Survey (BGS) will announce plans for a multi-million-pound geological research facility to be built in Cheshire. read more
expert reaction to Opinion article suggesting tackle and scrum should be banned in school rugby
An opinion piece, published in the BMJ, argues that tackle and scrum should be banned in school rugby because head injury is associated with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, adding to existing evidence that head injury may lead to neurodegenerative diseases, e.g. Parkinson’s disease. read more
expert reaction to study looking at vagus nerve stimulation in a patient in a vegetative state
Researchers publishing in Current Biology report that a 35 year-old man who had been in a vegetative state for 15 years has shown signs of consciousness after neurosurgeons implanted a vagus nerve stimulator into his chest. read more
expert reaction to draft NICE guidance on diagnosing Lyme disease
The National Institute for Care Excellence (Nice) has announced a new draft guideline for diagnosing and managing Lyme disease. read more