Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to Government’s response to the Caldicott Review on patient data
The government has published their response to the public consultation on the National Data Guardian for Health and Care’s (NDG) and Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) data security reviews. read more
expert reaction to cyberbullying and adolescent well-being
A new study published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health suggests that cyberbullying comes second to traditional bullying, and that the latter causes more harm. read more
why we need scientists on Charlie Gard
This is a guest post by Tom Sheldon, Senior Press Manager at the SMC. There can’t be many people in … read more
expert reaction to study looking at smoking in pregnancy and antisocial behaviour in young people
Published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health scientists look at the association between smoking in pregnancy and antisocial behaviour in offspring. read more
coffee consumption and reduced risk of death
Two studies publishing in the Annals of Internal Medicine assess the association between coffee consumption and risk of death. read more
expert reaction to two studies looking at coffee consumption and risk of death
Two studies publishing in the Annals of Internal Medicine assess the association between higher coffee consumption and reduced risk of death. read more
expert encounter on Lewy body dementias
Lewy body dementias are the second most common form of degenerative dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, but are markedly less well known in comparison. read more
expert reaction to study investigating the association between maternal consumption of sugar and childhood allergies and allergic asthma
Publishing in European Respiratory Journal scientists investigate the association between childhood asthma and allergies and maternal consumption of sugar.
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expert reaction to the Charlie Gard situation
Courts have ruled against continuing life-preserving treatment for 11 month old Charlie Gard. Since this ruling, offers of support and experimenyal treatment have come from both the US and Italy. read more
expert reaction to the structure of the Alzheimer’s protein, tau
A new study published in Nature reports the structure of tau using a magnified look at filaments in a patient with Alzheimer’s and explores what this might mean for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. read more
Launch of report from DeepMind Health Independent Review Panel
The use of patient data by private companies in the health sector continues to be a controversial subject. read more
expert reaction to the first annual report from the DeepMind Health Independent Review Panel
In June 2016, DeepMind Health asked a number of individuals to form an Independent Review Panel in order to provide independent oversight of the company’s work with the NHS. read more
Our Sexual Future with Robots: A report by the Foundation for Responsible Robotics
Sex toys and masturbation aids have been used for centuries. Now, the development and sale of robots designed to look like humans and used for sexual purposes is fast-approaching with a number of companies already taking orders. read more
CMO Annual Report on Genomics
The SMC played host to the launch of the Chief Medical Officer’s annual report. read more
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and risk of death
A new study published in BMJ Open reports that there is an increased risk of death among proton pump inhibitor users. read more
expert reaction to Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ruling on Royal Free Hospital and DeepMind Health sharing of patient data
A UK hospital did not do enough to protect the privacy of patients with it shared data with Google, the UK’s Information Commission (ICO) has ruled. read more
expert reaction to study of triclosan and antibiotic resistance
Publishing in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy scientists report that antimicrobial resistance may be exacerbated by the antibacterial agent triclosan. read more
expert reaction to ‘brain training’ app for mild cognitive impairment
Publishing in The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology scientists report the development of a ‘brain-training app’ that could help improve mild cognitive impairment. read more
Pre- ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) Conference briefing
The annual meeting for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) will take place in Geneva from 2- 5 July. read more
expert reaction to CEH study of the effects of neonics on honeybees and wild bees
In a new paper published in Science researchers assess country-specific effects of chronic neonicotinoid pesticides on honey bees and wild bees. read more