Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to NHS England draft guideline on reducing wasteful and ineffective drug prescription, which includes that homeopathy should generally not be prescribed
NHS England has published it’s draft guidelines on items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care, the list states that homeopathy should generally not be prescribed.
expert reaction to study looking at sugary drinks with meals and energy and fat metabolism
Publishing in BMC Nutrition scientists examine the effects sugar-sweetened drinks – when combined with a meal – have on energy balance and fat metabolism.
expert reaction to study reporting an association between antidepressants in pregnancy and autism in children
New research published in the BMJ studies the association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and autism. read more
antidepressants during pregnancy and autism in offspring
New research published in the BMJ studies the association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and autism. read more
expert reaction to JCVI interim recommendation not to extend the HPV vaccination programme to adolescent boys, according to cost-effectiveness analyses
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation published the minutes of their discussion which included their interim recommendation not to extend the HPV vaccination programme to adolescent boys, according to cost-effectiveness analysis. read more
expert reaction to study looking at antibiotics in pregnancy and risk of birth defects
Publishing in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology researchers examined links between certain antibiotics during pregnancy and major congenital malformations in newborns. read more
Pre- AAIC (Alzheimer’s Association International Conference) briefing
The annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, the largest international meeting dedicated to advancing dementia science, will take place in London from 16th – 20th July. read more
expert reaction to study looking at working hours and atrial fibrillation
Publishing in the European Heart Journal scientists report that people who work long hours have an increased risk of developing an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation. read more
Biofuels: waste, waffle or worth it?
If the UK is to hit its goal of 80% carbon reduction by 2050, all possible low-carbon technologies and fuels will be needed. read more
expert reaction to new report on statins and the cholesterol hypothesis
A new report published in The Pharmaceutical Journal claims that the lipid hypothesis – the link between blood cholesterol levels and occurrence of heart disease – is based on ‘cherry-picked science’ and that is has misguided doctors in the prevention of heart disease. read more
expert reaction to ‘successful test’ of Hyperloop One rail transit system
The Hyperloop One rail transit system has had it’s first successful test.
expert reaction to study looking at particulate matter emissions from petrol cars versus from diesel cars
New research published in Scientific Reports investigates whether gasoline cars produce more carbonaceous particulate matter than modern filter-equipped diesel cars. read more
expert reaction to Annual Home Office statistics on animal research
The Home Office has published this year’s annual statistics on animal research. read more
Annual Home Office statistics on animal research
On Thursday the Home Office published its 2016 statistics on animals used in scientific procedures read more
expert reaction to study looking at low doses of radiation and blood vessel cells in a dish
New research published in the International Journal of Radiation Biology reports that when endothelial cells are grown in a dish and exposed to radiation, there are molecular changes, and authors suggest this could mean ionizing radiation may have a harmful effect on cardiovascular health.
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expert reaction to Government’s response to the Caldicott Review on patient data
The government has published their response to the public consultation on the National Data Guardian for Health and Care’s (NDG) and Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) data security reviews. read more
expert reaction to cyberbullying and adolescent well-being
A new study published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health suggests that cyberbullying comes second to traditional bullying, and that the latter causes more harm. read more
why we need scientists on Charlie Gard
This is a guest post by Tom Sheldon, Senior Press Manager at the SMC. There can’t be many people in … read more
expert reaction to study looking at smoking in pregnancy and antisocial behaviour in young people
Published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health scientists look at the association between smoking in pregnancy and antisocial behaviour in offspring. read more
coffee consumption and reduced risk of death
Two studies publishing in the Annals of Internal Medicine assess the association between coffee consumption and risk of death. read more