Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to conference abstract (unpublished work) on disinfectant use and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in nurses
Scientists giving a conference talk at the European Respiratory Society Congress present research that reports that regular use if disinfectants is linked to a higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in nurses in the USA.
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expert reaction to three conference papers on e-cigarettes
Three comments about abstracts on the topic of e-cigarettes from the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress conference. read more
expert reaction to the Mexico earthquake
An earthquake that measured 8.2 struck in the Pacific, about 87km (54 miles) south-west of Pijijiapan. read more
hacking the immune system, bioelectronics and the mind-body interface
It is still controversial to say that the mind and body can strongly affect each other, but recent research has shown how the mind can impact on physical diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes and there is growing excitement in how the immune system may have a role in some mental illness. read more
expert reaction to study investigating the ‘weekend effect’ in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Austria
In a new study published in Critical Care scientists report that a person’s risk of dying is higher if they are admitted to Austrian intensive care units (ICUs) at the weekend compared to during the week. However, if patients are simply just in the ICU at the weekend, then the death rate was lower. read more
expert reaction to CBT for health anxiety
A new study, published in Health Technology Assessment, investigate the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for health anxiety. read more
antidepressant use in pregnancy and psychiatric disorders
Scientists publishing in the BMJ report an association between antidepressant use in pregnancy and diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in children. read more
health anxiety – the burden and the treatment
Up to 20% of people attending medical clinics are actually suffering from health anxiety, where people are excessively worried about their health, and the numbers seem to be rising. read more
expert reaction to study looking at antidepressant use in pregnancy and psychiatric disorders in children
Scientists publishing in the BMJ report an association between antidepressant use in pregnancy and diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in children.
expert reaction to a 20 year follow up from the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOP) reporting mortality outcomes after taking statins
In men with high levels of so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol and no other risk factors or signs of heart disease statins reduce deaths from heart disease by 28 per cent, report researchers in a new study published in Circulation.
expert reaction to Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm with winds of 185mph has hit the islands of the North East Carribbean and is heading towards the US mainland. read more
expert reaction to the Department for Exiting the European Union’s upcoming paper on science
In a new position paper, to be published later today, the government will lay out a range of options for continued scientific collaboration between the UK and the EU. read more
expert reaction to two studies investigating the health effects of ketogenic diets in mice
Two new mouse studies, published in Cell Metabolism, investigate whether ketogenic diets improve memory in older animals, as well as the chances of the animals living to old age. read more
The potential for energy savings in UK housing
Households account for between a quarter and a third of total energy use in the UK. Improving their energy efficiency … read more
expert reaction to reports of explosions at chemical plant in houston, and to the wider story of hurricane harvey
Continued expert reaction to Hurricane Harvey including reports of an explosion at a chemical plant in Houston as a result of the flooding. read more
expert reaction to study investigating the relationship between higher education and lower risk of heart disease
Publishing in The BMJ, researchers looked at educational attainment, using genetic data as a proxy, and the development of coronary heart disease. They reported an association between lower education and the development of coronary heart disease. read more
expert reaction to stem cell therapy for parkinson’s disease in a monkey model
Two studies look at the use of iPS cell-derived neurons and Parkinson’s disease. In one of the studies, published in Nature, researchers used stem cell therapy to attempt to restore nerve function in a monkey model of Parkinson’s disease. In the other, published in Nature Communications, researchers have looked at methods of improving survival of transplanted iPS cell-derived neurons by matching the proteins of the major histocompatibility complex of the recipient in addition to use of immunosuppressive drugs. read more
expert reaction to the life sciences industrial strategy
Via the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy the government has announced that it will invest £146m in medicine research. read more
expert reaction to study of replacing fat with high carb intake
Publishing in the The Lancet, researchers have looked at the high fat diets versus high carbohydrate diets across 18 countries and reported worse health outcomes in those with high carbohydrate diets. read more
expert reaction to chemical haze in sussex
Experts react to the news of a chemical haze at Beachy Head in Sussex. read more