Author Archives: Science Media Centre
Genome editing: an ethical review. Preliminary findings from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Genome editing techniques such as the CRISPR-Cas9 system are transforming biological research and hold the key for our expectations and ambitions for addressing global challenges such as food and energy production and disease prevention. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is publishing the first findings of its programme of work looking at the recent and potential impact of advances in genome editing. The Council’s review identifies, defines and prioritises the ethical issues and questions that genome editing gives rise to in relation to its possible applications including in human reproduction, biomedicine and agriculture. read more
expert reaction to study to Mediterranean diets and CVD
Researchers publishing in the journal BMC Medicine have reported that, in their study, greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with lower cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. read more
expert reaction to study on painkillers and heart failure
A group of researchers have published their work in The BMJ examining the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and report that use of such drugs can increase the risk of heart failure. read more
expert reaction to association of hormonal contraception with depression
A paper published in JAMA Psychiatry has reported that use of hormonal contraceptives is associated with subsequent use of anti-depressants and a first diagnosis of depression. read more
expert reaction to research on the impact of climate change on wheat, rice and other grasses
The effect of climate change on grasses such as wheat and rice is examined in a paper published in Biology Letters with the authors reporting that climate change is expected to outpace rate of adaptation. read more
expert reaction to study of tumorigenesis in mouse mammary cells treated with aluminium
A paper published in the journal Molecular Cancer Biology has reported that aluminium salt compounds are able to transform mouse breast cells maintained in vitro to give them characteristics of tumour cells. read more
expert reaction to study looking at heart disease risk reduction of statins and other cholesterol-lowering methods
A review published in JAMA investigated the effect of statin and non-statin therapies on LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, and reported that both statin and non-statin therapies (including diet, surgery and other drugs) can contribute to lower LDL-cholesterol and a reduction in heart disease risk. read more
expert reaction to reports of the first baby born (in Mexico) using the mitochondrial donation technique
A paper outline published online in the journal Fertility and Sterility and to be presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in October reported what is thought to be the first baby born using mitochondrial donation techniques for the purpose of disease prevention. read more
expert reaction to announcement by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative ‘to cure, prevent or manage all diseases by the end of the century’
Mark Zuckerberg (the founder of Facebook) and his wife Priscilla Chan have pledged $3bn over the next decade to fund medical research with the ultimate goal to “cure, prevent or manage all diseases by the end of the century”. read more
expert reaction to study of feeding allergenic foods to babies
Publishing in JAMA a group of scientists have reviewed the evidence around food allergies and report that early introduction of egg or peanut to the diet of infants was associated with lower risk of developing allergies to those foods. read more
expert reaction to the news that Emma Walmsley has been appointed CEO of GlaxoSmithKline
It has been announced that the new CEO of GlaxoSmithKline will be Emma Walmsley. read more
expert reaction to anxiety and cancer risk in men
Work presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) conference has reported that men who suffer from anxiety are twice as likely to die from cancer as men who do not. read more
expert reaction to conference abstract (unpublished work) looking at whether excessive internet use may indicate mental health problems in college students
Unpublished work presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress (ECNP) has investigated possible associations between internet use and mental health issues in college students. read more
expert reaction to NSIDC announcing Arctic sea ice minimum for 2016
The US-based National Snow and Ice Data Center has reported that Arctic sea ice appears to have reached its minimum extent for this year which would mean a tie for second lowest in the satellite record. read more
expert reaction to news that the UK government has approved plans for Hinkley C nuclear power plant
Following a delay it has been announced that the UK government has approved plans for a new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset which will have financial input from France and China. read more
expert reaction to napping and diabetes – unpublished poster presentation
A poster presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting has reported that taking naps of an hour or longer is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. read more
expert reaction to two studies reporting results on monitoring prostate cancer versus surgery or radiotherapy, and survival and cancer progression
Two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that in men with localised prostate cancer (that hadn’t spread) active monitoring was not significantly more dangerous than surgery or radiotherapy in terms of survival, and that surgery and radiotherapy reduce the risk of cancer progression compared with active monitoring but can also cause more unpleasant side-effects including sexual or bowel impairment. read more
expert reaction to new studies on vaping and quitting
A study published in the BMJ and a review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews have reported that e-cig use was associated with successful attempts at quitting smoking. read more
expert reaction to conference poster (unpublished work) on fatty acids and type 2 diabetes in women
A poster presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference has reported an association between consumption of a particular fatty acid and risk for type 2 diabetes in women. read more
expert reaction to conference talk (unpublished work) on genes, lifestyle and obesity
A presentation given at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference has examined genetic and environmental impacts on obesity. read more