Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to joint policy statement on human germline genome editing
Publishing in The American Journal of Human Genetics, 11 organisations issued a joint policy statement on human germline genome editing.
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expert reaction to editorial commenting on the ethics around disputes over the medical treatment of children, with reference to the Charlie Gard case
In a new BMJ editorial an expert argues that much of the public discussion about the Charlie Gard case has been distinctly unbalanced.
expert reaction to genome editing a disease-causing mutation in human embryos
A genetic mutation implicated in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a common heritable heart condition – has been corrected in preimplantation human embryos using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique, as reported by scientists in Nature. read more
expert reaction to deaths from Fentanyl
The National Crime Agency reported that at least 60 people have died in the UK in the last eight months after taking the strong painkiller fentanyl.
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expert reaction to Mediterranean diet only works for wealthy people
Researchers publishing in the International Journal of Epidemiology state that mediterranean diet is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk but this relationship is confined to higher socioeconomic groups.
expert reaction to study looking at estimates of prescribing rates of statins according to the NICE statin guidelines
A new cross-sectional analysis, published in the British Journal of General Practice, reports that under the 2014 NICE guidelines, 11.8 million (37%) adults in England aged 30-84 years, require statin therapy. read more
expert reaction to cytokines for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Researchers publishing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) report a link between chronic fatigue syndrome and cytokine concentrations that correlate with the disease’s severity. read more
expert reaction to study looking at ageing in cells from people with progeria
Researchers publishing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology investigate ways to make aged cells younger. read more
expert reaction to Journal of Health Psychology’s Special Issue on The PACE Trial
The Journal of Healthy Psychology has published a special issue focusing on the PACE trial – originally published in The Lancet (2011). read more
expert reaction to new FDA tobacco plan, including lowering nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to reduce nicotine content in cigarettes.
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expert reaction to study looking at drinking alcohol and risk of diabetes
In new research published in Diabetologia scientists report that alcohol drinking frequency is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes and that consumption of alcohol over 3-4 days per week is associated with the lowest risk of diabetes.
expert reaction to impact of sugar on mental health
Using data from the Whitehall II cohort – an interdisciplinary study on ageing – researchers publishing in Scientific Reports analysed people’s sugar intake and the occurrence of common mental disorders. read more
expert reaction to comment article about modern lifestyle changes, gut microbial diversity, and chronic diseases
In a comment piece in Nature Reviews Immunology a researcher suggests that the rise in chronic diseases, such as asthma, obesity and inflammatory bowel disease, may be due to modern lifestyle changes that have reduced the microbial diversity in our gut. read more
expert reaction to media reports about US work on genome editing of human embryos
Media reports are stating that a group of researchers in the US have successfully gene edited human embryos. read more
expert reaction to suggestion to drop ‘complete the course’ message for antibiotics
An Analysis article published in The BMJ reports that the official recommendation to complete courses of antibiotics should be changed. read more
expert reaction to study looking at e-cigarette use in adult smokers and smoking cessation in the US
A new study published in The BMJ looks at e-cigarette use in US adult smokers and smoking cessation rates. read more
expert comments on whether antidepressants can lead people to become a murderer, as is being reported in advance of the upcoming Panorama programme ‘A Prescription for Murder?’
Ahead of a BBC Panorama documentary about whether antidepressants can lead to people becoming violent and potentially homicidal, there have been a number of news articles exploring antidepressants and their side effects. read more
expert reaction to the Government’s Air Quality Plan for nitrogen dioxide
New diesel and petrol vans and cars will be banned in the UK from 2040 in a bit to tackle the effect of poor air quality on people’s health, the government has announced. read more
expert reaction to latest findings in GM Camelina study
As part of a large field study, publishing in Scientific Reports, researchers investigate how they can optimise omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid accumulation in transgenic GM Camelina. read more
expert reaction to meta-analysis of sperm count among men in Western countries
In a meta-analysis, scientists publishing in Human Reproduction Update, report that sperm concentration has declined by more than 50% in less than 40 years among men from North America, Europe and Oceania. read more