Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
Results of a large-scale European field experiment to quantify the impacts of neonicotinoids on honeybees and wild bees
Neonicotinoid pesticides have been widely used to enhance crop production in the UK and around the world since the 1990s. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at dichloromethane and the ozone layer
Publishing in Nature Communications researchers report that levels of dichloromethane – chemicals previously assumed not to be a threat to the ozone layer – have increased in concentration in the atmosphere, and authors suggest they may be contributing to ozone depletion. read more
expert reaction to research on rate of sea level rise
Publishing in Nature Climate Change, scientists looked at the rate of global mean sea level rise from 1993 to 2004. read more
expert reaction to review of e-cigarettes and smoking in young adults
Publishing in JAMA Pediatrics scientists report results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies that assessed initial use of e-cigarettes and subsequent cigarette smoking. read more
expert reaction to study on guided self-help graded exercise therapy as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Researchers publishing in The Lancet present their findings from a randomised controlled trial they conducted to test the efficacy and safety of graded exercise delivered as guided self-help, for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. read more
expert reaction to study investigating the effect of paracetamol on the brains of unborn mice
Publishing in Reproduction researchers examine mouse brain structure and behaviour following prenatal exposure to paracetamol. read more
expert reaction to two Cochrane reviews on diet, physical activity and behavioural interventions and obesity in children and adolescents
Two new Cochrane Reviews summarise the results of 114 studies which involved over 13,000 children and young people. They argue that a combination of diet, physical activity and behavioural change interventions may reduced weight in children aged 6-11 and adolescents aged 12-17. read more
Nuffield Council on Bioethics report on cosmetic procedures
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics published a new report, ‘Cosmetic procedures: ethical issues’, on Thursday 22 June 2017. read more
Expert reaction to study reporting the development of computer-designed antibodies for Alzheimer’s disease in nematodes
Publishing in Science Advances researchers present a computer-designed ‘antibody scanning’ strategy which generates a panel of antibodies that work on blocking amyloid buildup in a worm model.
expert reaction to european court of justice ruling on national courts deciding that vaccines may cause adverse reactions, even in the absence of scientific evidence
The European Court of Justice has ruled that judges are able to consider that vaccination may lead to the development of an illness, in the absence of scientific evidence. This ruling was made in relation to a case in France of a man claiming that a hepatitis B vaccination he received led to the development of multiple sclerosis. read more
expert reaction to vaccine to lower cholesterol in mice
Publishing in the European Heart Journal scientists report that the AT04A vaccine induces an effective immune response against the cholesterol-increasing protein PCSK9, in mice. read more
expert reaction to new report by the Academy of Medical Sciences
The Academy of Medical Sciences has published a new report entitled, ‘Enhancing the use of scientific evidence to judge the potential benefits and harms of medicines’.
How can we make better decisions about medicines?
Our ageing population has more complex health needs than ever before, and as we enter a personalised medicine era we … read more
expert reaction to study identifying mutations in the H7N9 avian flu virus related to potential transmission between humans
Publishing in PLOS Pathogens scientists report that they have identified several genetic mutations that could allow the avian influenza strain H7N9 attach to human cells, although this is unlikely to happen in the wild.
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expert reaction to the Grenfell tower block fire
A fire has raged through a 24-storey west London residential building, several fatalities have been confirmed and more than 50 people have been taken to hospital.
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expert reaction to study looking at long-term daily aspirin prescribed after a heart attack or stroke, and likelihood of bleeding in different age-groups
Publishing in The Lancet researchers report that long-term daily aspirin use is linked to a higher than expected risk of bleeding in adults aged 75 or over. The scientists claim that proton-pump inhibitors should be co-prescribed in this age group to reduce the risk of bleeds. read more
Aspirin after heart attack and risk of bleeding
We already know aspirin and other blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding. Aspirin is often prescribed after a heart attack or stroke to reduce the risk of further heart attacks and strokes. read more
aircraft noise exposure and high blood pressure
A new cohort study published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, reports that long-term exposure to aircraft noise, particularly during the night, is associated with incident hypertension and potentially, also, cardiovascular events. read more
expert reaction to cannabis in adolescence and use of other substances
Publishing in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health scientists report that cannabis use in adolescence is associated with an increased risk of harmful substance use in early adulthood. read more