Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to a new report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics on non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has published a new report, Non-invasive prenatal testing: ethical issues. read more
expert reaction to Fluorene-9-bisphenol (BHPF) and mice
A new study in Nature Communications reports that fluorene-9-bisphenol – a Bisphenol A substitute – has anti-oestrogenic effects in mice. read more
expert reaction to research on anti-clotting drugs and bleeding near the brain
Published in JAMA scientists investigated the association between use of antithrombotic drugs and subdural hematoma risk. read more
expert reaction to research into cardiac arrest in pregnancy
In BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology scientists describe the incidence, risks, management and outcomes of cardiac arrest in pregnancy in the UK population.
expert reaction to study looking at gene-edited pigs and resistance to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
Scientists publishing in PLOS Pathogens report that genome edited pigs show signs of resistance to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRSV) – a panzootic infectious disease of pigs, causing economic losses to the world-wide pig industry. read more
expert reaction to study looking at diabetes and a fasting-mimicking diet in mice, and in human cells
A study published in Cell looks at how a fasting-mimicking diet promotes the reprogramming of pancreatic cells to restore insulin generation in mouse models.
Leaving Euratom, consequences for the UK’s energy future
The nuclear energy research community in the UK has been shell shocked to learn that the Prime Minister’s Brexit Bill will also trigger the UK’s exit from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). read more
expert reaction to study looking at glucose and Alzheimer’s disease
New research published in Scientific Reports investigates the underlying mechanism linking an association between diabetes and Alzheimer’s, suggesting excess glucose levels may be involved. read more
expert reaction to study looking at genome of human parechovirus (including the common cold)
Scientists publishing in Nature Communications claim to have identified – within the genome of Human Parechovirus – a “hidden code” of the common cold virus. read more
expert reaction to EAC report on the new Heathrow runway
The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee have published ‘The Airports Commission Report Follow-up: Carbon Emissions, Air Quality and Noise’. read more
expert reaction to research on schizophrenia and insufficient weight gain in pregnancy
Publishing in JAMA Psychiatry researchers report that gestational weight gain (GWG) was associated with an increased risk for nonaffective psychosis in offspring. read more
UKERC report on renewables
‘What happens when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine?’ read more
Mental health screening of military personnel
The UK has been considering following in the footsteps of the US and Australia by introducing mental health screening of military personnel after they return from deployment. However, there have been question marks over whether screening works, whether it the best way of helping military personnel and whether it is worth the money. read more
Vitamin D supplementation and respiratory infections
The effect of vitamin D supplementation on health continues to be a subject of controversy, despite recent recommendations from SACN and PHE that everyone over the age of one should consume 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily to ensure good health. read more
expert reaction to Andrew Wakefield’s film on vaccinations, Vaxxed
Andrew Wakefield, the doctor who proposed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism which has since been comprehensively discredited, has directed and co-written a documentary about his theories. read more
the SMC experience
If you have read or heard anything about the Science Media Centre, then you will know that it is not … read more
expert reaction to study investigating the impact of vitamin D supplements on acute respiratory infections
In a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal, scientists report that daily or weekly vitamin D supplementation was safe and reduced the risk of acute respiratory infections overall, but particularly in individuals with low levels of vitamin D. read more
expert reaction to study looking at bariatric surgery versus medical therapy for type 2 diabetes
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine the five-year outcome of randomised, controlled trials showed that, among patients with type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 27 to 43, bariatric surgery plus intensive medical therapy was more effective than intensive medical therapy alone in decreasing – or in some cases resolving – hyperglycemia. read more
Football and dementia
Boxing and American football are under scrutiny because of head injuries causing long-term damage to the brain, but the situation is much less clear for football where heading is extremely common, but head injuries are less so. read more
expert reaction to evidence of brain damage found in former footballers
Scientists publishing in Acta Neuropathologica report that in retired footballers with a past history of repetitive head impacts, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a potential neurodegenerative cause of dementia and motor impairments. read more