Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to ‘Future Flood Prevention’ report
The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has published a report on the prevention of future floods which makes a number of recommendations including simplifying risk communication and improving resilience. read more
The state of the climate
This time last year, climate scientists came to the SMC to brief journalists ahead of the Paris negotiations. As the next COP meeting in Marrakesh approaches, those same scientists talked about the latest in climate science. What do the most recent observations show and has anything significantly changed? What trajectory are we on, and is the policy response in step with the science? What are scientists expecting to happen to temperatures and the earth’s response to greenhouse gases? And are we moving fast enough with clean energy technologies? read more
Testing a ‘controversial’ treatment for CFS/ME in children
In England up to two in 100 children have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), the illness means they are unable to go to school or do other activities for more than three months. In fact 1% of secondary school children miss a day a week or more because of it. Unfortunately controversy rages around the illness and the treatment. Most children will recover if they receive specialist treatment; however, there is very limited specialist care in the UK and approximately 90% of children live too far away to receive the treatment they need. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is known to be effective for children and a very successful trial in the Netherlands showed it can be delivered over the internet, meaning children can be helped wherever they live. However, we do not know if the results can be replicated in the UK so researchers, amidst rising tension from some people who do not support treatments such as CBT or Graded Exercise Therapy, are now starting a large clinical trial to test whether this treatment would work in the UK and should be available on the NHS. read more
expert reaction to review of industry-funded studies on sugary drinks
The funding and results of studies into the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages is examined in a paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal with the authors reporting that industry-funded studies were more likely to find no connection between the drinks and obesity or diabetes. read more
expert reaction to paper identifying 12 genetic loci linked to human reproductive behaviour
A paper published in the journal Nature Genetics has reported the identification of a number of specific areas of the genome associated with age at which a first child is born and number of children ever born. read more
expert reaction to study looking at Zika infection and testes and sperm in mice
Researchers publishing in the journal Nature have looked at the effects of Zika virus infection in mice and report that infection with certain strains was associated with damage to the testes of male mice, cell death and lower testosterone levels. read more
expert reaction to study evaluating the safety and efficacy of a potential contraceptive injection for men
The safety and effectiveness of a male contraceptive injection are assessed in a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism with the authors reporting reasonable effectiveness but a relatively high frequency of mild to moderate mood disorders. read more
expert reaction to study on exposure to chemicals and type 2 diabetes cases in the elderly
A group of scientists publishing in The Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health have examined the possible effects of certain chemicals on levels of diabetes in the elderly. read more
A treatment for autism
Autism is a severe developmental disorder that affects 1 in 100 children. The core difficulties in social communication, which can mean children not even being able to communicate verbally, and the rigid and repetitive behaviours usually have a profound effect on development into adulthood and result in estimated £1-1.5 million lifetime societal costs per child. Despite many claims and previous research, there has to date been no treatment for the condition that has succeeded in improving these core developmental symptoms over the long-term. Now, however, researchers are reporting the long-term results of an intervention with families early in development that may begin to change our expectations. read more
expert reaction to treatment for autism in children
Autism is a severe developmental disorder that affects 1 in 100 children with no treatment that has succeeded in improving these core developmental symptoms over the long-term. Researchers publishing in The Lancet are reporting the long-term results of an intervention with families early in development that may begin to change our expectations. read more
expert reaction to research into the potential of e-cigarettes to combat obesity
In line with the effects of smoking on appetite suppression the impact of e-cigarettes with nicotine and flavouring on appetite and weight control is explored in a paper published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research with the authors suggesting areas of further study. read more
expert reaction to reports that a third runway has been approved for Heathrow airport
Reports are suggesting that the expansion of Heathrow airport, including a third runway, has been approved by ministers. read more
expert reaction to study looking at air pollution, traffic noise and blood pressure
Scientists publishing in European Heart Journal have investigated the effect of traffic-related air pollution and noise and report that they are associated with increased incidence of self-reported (but not measured) high blood pressure. read more
expert reaction to editorial on omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids and obesity
An editorial published in the journal Open Heart has argued for the importance of balancing omega-6 (such as from cooking oils or eggs) and omega-3 (such as from oily fish) fatty acids in the prevention and management of obesity. read more
expert reaction to study looking at soft drinks and diabetes
Publishing in the European Journal of Endocrinology a group a scientists have examined the effect of sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks on type 2 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and report that increased consumption was associated with an increased risk of the disease. read more
expert reaction to taurine reducing symptoms of psychosis – unpublished poster presentation from the International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) meeting in Milan
An unpublished poster presentation presented at the International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) meeting in Milan has reported the use of the chemical taurine as able to reduce the symptoms of psychosis. read more
expert reaction to study looking at the relationship between cortisol levels in hair and saliva and IVF success
A group of researchers have examined the levels of cortisol in hair and saliva in women undergoing fertility treatment and publish their work in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology. They report that hair, but not saliva, cortisol concentrations predicted pregnancy. read more
expert reaction to study reporting production of functional mouse eggs in culture
Scientists publishing in the journal Nature reported the production of functional mouse eggs from embryonic and induced stem cells in mice. read more
strong voice sounds great – but will we all hear it?
By Fiona Fox This blog contains the thoughts of the author rather than representing the work or policy of the … read more
expert reaction to poster presentation (unpublished work) on artificial sweeteners and fertility from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) meeting
A poster presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) meeting in Salt Lake City has examined the effect of artificial sweeteners on the success of IVF treatment. read more