Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to ketamine for treatment-resistant depression
Researchers have published a review of the ethical considerations in off-label ketamine use for severe, treatment-resistant depression, in the Lancet Psychiatry. read more
Ketamine and depression
Severe depression is the number one psychological disorder in the UK and yet 30% of patients do not respond to … read more
expert reaction to study looking at dietary fat and lifespan in nematode worms
Researchers investigate whether dietary mono-unsaturated fatty acids can extend lifespan in nematode worms in a new study published in Nature. read more
expert reaction to a study investigating the effect of monthly vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular disease
In a new population-based cohort study, researchers publishing in JAMA Cardiology examine whether monthly high-dose vitamin D supplementation prevents cardiovascular disease. read more
expert reaction to study looking at Marmite and brain response to stimuli
Publishing in the Journal of Psychopharmacology scientists investigated whether dietary intervention aimed at increasing levels of the neurotransmitter GABA can influence neural response to basic sensory stimuli. read more
expert reaction to modelling study looking at antibiotic use in farm animals and antibiotic resistance in humans
Publishing in Royal Society Open Science, researchers using a mathematical model report that decreasing antibiotic consumption in food animals will often have limited benefits for human health. read more
expert reaction to study investigating long-term antibiotic use and the risk of bowel cancer precursor
Researchers publishing in Gut report long-term antibiotic use in early-to-middle adulthood was associated with increased risk of colorectal adenoma – the precursor for some colorectal cancers. read more
expert reaction to early-life penicillin use, gut microbiota, and behaviour changes in mice
In a new study published in Nature Communications, scientists reported low-dose penicillin in early life induces long-term changes in gut microbiota, brain cytokines and behaviour in mice. read more
Expert reaction to study explaining technique behind first mitochondrial replacement therapy baby
Published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online, scientists have described the technique they used to create the first live birth after oocyte spindle transfer to prevent transmission of the mitochondrial disease, Leigh syndrome. read more
expert reaction to PHE’s new guidelines on sugar reduction and reformulation by the food industry
Public Health England (PHE) have published new guidelines for industry to reduce sugar in everyday food eaten by children. read more
expert reaction to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Researchers publishing in Occupational and Environmental Medicine report that repeated exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields could increase risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). read more
5G in the UK
The March budget included funding towards a future 5G network in the UK. read more
expert reaction to the development of a human reproductive tract and menstrual cycle in a dish
Scientists publishing in Nature Communications report that they have developed a mini working replica of the female reproductive tract using human and mouse tissue. read more
expert reaction to study investigating the role of random mutations in DNA replication in many types of cancer
Publishing in Science a group of researchers studied the relationship between the number of normal stem cell divisions and the risk of 17 cancer types in 69 countries. They reported a strong correlation between cancer incidence and normal stem cell divisions in all countries, regardless of their environment. read more
expert reaction to study reporting the effect of a potential anti-ageing peptide therapy in mice
A paper published in Cell investigated the effects of a peptide to target senescent cells in mice and reported improved kidney function and restoration of fur, suggesting that this could lead to a therapy with potential to reverse certain aspects of ageing. read more
expert reaction to research on moderate drinking and heart conditions
A new population-based cohort study published in the The BMJ investigates the association between moderate alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease. read more
expert reaction to study reporting no weekend effect on mortality in emergency surgery
A paper published in the British Journal of Surgery suggests that there is no difference in short or long-term mortality following emergency general surgery at the weekend compared to mid-week. read more
expert reaction to genetic markers for predicting risk of Alzheimer’s
Researchers publishing in PLOS Medicine have developed a polygenic hazard score (PHS) as a possible way of quantifying the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. read more
expert reaction to how receiving navigation directions impacts on the brain
Publishing in Nature Communications scientists from UCL explore the potential effects a satellite navigation system could have on the brain. read more
expert reaction to the World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Global Climate in 2016 report
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has published their State of the Global Climate in 2016 report. read more