Author Archives: Science Media Centre
The science of weather prediction: 30 years after the 1987 storm
The great storm hit the UK on 15 and 16 October 1987, killing 18 people and causing £1bn in damage. Why did we fail to forecast it? Would things be different if it happened again? Does it even matter? read more
expert reaction to Food Standard Agency’s new advice on runny eggs
The Food Standard Agency has announced a change to its advice about eating eggs – infants, children, pregnant women and elderly people can now safely eat raw or lightly cooked eggs that are produced under the British Lion Code of Practice. read more
expert reaction to an editorial on trends in male fertility
An editorial, published in The BMJ, calls for urgent action to investigate disturbing trends in men’s reproductive health.
expert reaction to paper on biomarkers of ovarian reserves and infertility in older women of reproductive age
Researchers, publishing in JAMA, report among women aged 30-44 years without a history of infertility who had been trying to conceive for 3 months or less, biomarkers indicating diminished ovarian cancer reserve compared with normal ovarian reserve were not associated with reduced fertility.
expert reaction to study looking at sugary drinks intake and measures of IVF success (total oocytes, mature oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and top-quality embryos)
Scientists examine the association between preconception maternal beverage intake and IVF outcomes, in the journal Fertility and Sterility. read more
expert reaction to study looking at blood glucose levels after drinking nutrient extractor fruit juices compared with whole fruit
New research published in Nutrition & Diabetes reports that fruit blended into a juice via a commercially available nutrient extractor results in blood glucose levels the same or lower than seen with whole fruit. read more
Alzheimer’s Disease and genomic research – global pharmaceutical research perspective
Building on Sally Davies’s vision for integrating genomics into every aspect of the NHS, Dr. Sullivan can discuss some of the latest genomics and population-based genomic analysis is starting to play in understanding the genetic determinants of Alzheimer’s disease. read more
expert reaction to study of neonics and honey
Scientists publishing in Science examine the exposure of honeybees to neonicotinoids. read more
expert reaction to evidence for cancer drugs approved by the EMA
The BMJ has published a study investigating the effectiveness of cancer drugs approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
expert reaction to study looking at high blood pressure in middle age and risk of dementia
Published in Neurology scientists report that women who develop high blood pressure in their 40s may be more likely to develop dementia years later. read more
expert reaction to study looking at bullying, anxiety and depression in childhood and adolescence
A new study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, examined the concurrent and longitudinal contribution of exposure to bullying to mental health in childhood and adolescence. read more
expert reaction to Chemistry Nobel Prize
The 2017 Chemistry Nobel Prize as been awarded to Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson for developing cryo-electron microscopy for the high-resolution structure determination of biomolecules in solution.
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expert reaction to association between avoiding meat in pregnancy and substance misuse by children during adolescence
A new study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, examines the association between lower meat consumption by women during pregnancy and increased risk of substance misuse by their children during adolescence. read more
expert reaction: Scotland expected to ban fracking
The Scottish government has announced an “effective ban” on fracking. read more
expert reaction to announcement that the Nobel Prize in Physics 2017 has been awarded to three scientists for their work on gravitational waves
The 2017 Nobel prize in physics has been awarded to three US scientists for the detection of gravitational waves. read more
expert reaction to case report of person having developed liver damage after taking Epsom salts to treat gallstones
A case study, published in BMJ Case Reports, reports that a 38 year old man developed serious liver damage when combined with Epsom salts. read more
expert reaction to study of what would happen if all smokers switched to e-cigs
The potential results of what might be if all smokers switched to e-cigarettes, are published in a new study in Tobacco Control. read more
expert reaction to study using gene therapy in attempt to improve visual function in mice with retinal degeneration
A new study, published in PNAS, reports the use of gene therapy to improve visual function in a mouse model of retinal degeneration. read more
expert reaction to paper on methane from agriculture
A new study, published in Carbon Balance and Management, provides revised estimates of methane emissions and carbon fluxes for global livestock that facilitate the development and evaluation of earth system models and environmental assessments. read more
inconvenient truths
Last week we ran press conferences on climate change and CFS/ME. The subjects are complex and contentious, and there is always the potential for jarring or simplistic headlines and strong reactions from the vocal critics of research in these fields. But it was the criticism from within the scientific community that we had not anticipated. read more