Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
expert reaction to the publication of new report on genome editing
The National Academies of Sciences (NAS) and National Academy of Medicine (NAM) have published a new report, Human Genome Editing: Science, Ethics, and Governance. read more
expert reaction to study using CRISPR in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
New research published in Nature Communications looks at ways of using the genome editing tool CRISPR to restore full-length dystrophin in mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. read more
expert reaction to allowing some people to continue to self-injure
An opinion piece published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, from the BMJ Journals group, looks at the ethical and clinical implications of allowing self-harm in mental health units. read more
expert reaction to media reports of an explosion at Flamanville nuclear power plant in France
An explosion and fire have occurred at the Flamanville nuclear plant on France’s northern cost. read more
shift work linked to lowered fertility in women
Publishing in Occupational & Environmental Medicine new research claims women working non-daytime shifts and those with physically demanding jobs had fewer mature oocytes – on average – compared with women who worked day-only shifts. read more