Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to earthquake in Venezuela
Scientists comment on a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Venezuela. Dr Raffaele De Risi, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, University … read more
expert reaction to study assessing early evidence of association between Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age Act and adolescents’ social media use
A study published in the BMJ assesses the early effects of Australia’s social media ban on adolescents’ social media use. Prof … read more
expert reaction to media reports that France has confirmed an Ebola case in a doctor who had worked in the DRC
Scientists comment on France confirming an Ebola case. Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, UEA, said: “In any Ebola … read more
Professor Sir Jim Skea, Chair of the IPCC
Against the backdrop of the London Climate Action Week 2026, the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), … read more
What is the evidence for the majority of IVF ‘add-ons’?
In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) add-on therapies are optional, additional extras offered to patients undergoing IVF which are intended to improve success … read more
This week’s heatwave – climate, weather, health and infrastructure
We assembled a panel of scientists and engineers to try to cover everything journalists wanted to know about this week’s … read more
expert reaction to study of biological ageing and cancer in younger people
A study published in Nature Medicine looks at biological ageing and early-onset cancer risk. Dr John Riches, Clinical Reader in Cancer … read more
expert reaction to train crash near Bedford
Scientists comment on the recent train crash that occurred between Bedford and London. Blane Judd CEng FIET HonFIRSE, Chief … read more
expert reaction to MHRA update on the PATHWAYS clinical trial, that a modified protocol has been agreed by the MHRA as meeting the required regulatory standards, and that the Health Research Authority has approved the trial for its ethical standards
Scientists comment on an update from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on the PATHWAYS trial of puberty … read more
expert reaction to study looking at bending, standing and walking while at work during pregnancy, and risk of miscarriage
A study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine looks at bending over during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage. Prof Asma … read more
expert reaction to presentation of two new medical AI models for patient management (MIRA and AMIE)
Scientists comment on two medical AI models, published in Nature, for patient management. Comments from our friends at SMC Spain: … read more
expert reaction to cohort study looking at gestational exposure to 10 classes of environmental chemicals and birth outcomes
A cohort study published in JAMA Network Open looks at gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and birth outcomes. Prof Oliver Jones, … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the combined contraceptive pill and binge eating
A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at use of the combined oral contraceptive pill and binge eating. Rachel Richardson, … read more
Re-committing to public engagement right now is more radical than you think
I was delighted when the Royal Society asked me to be in charge of drafting the chapter on media and … read more
How will we know if these new social media restrictions work?
On Monday 15th June, the UK Government announced that a social media ban for under 16’s would come into play … read more
expert reaction to population-based observational study non recorded prevalence and diagnostic trends on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
An observational study published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe looks at prevalence and diagnosis trends of ADHD. Dr Rachel Moseley, … read more
Medicines dispensing data can paint a picture of health inequalities
Medicines data, patient characteristics, and medical outcomes aren’t routinely linked, so healthcare professionals and policymakers can’t fully track how medicines … read more
expert reaction to UK Government announcing a ban on social media for under-16s
Scientists comment on the UK Government announcing a social media ban for under-16s. Dr Madeline G. Reinecke, Postdoctoral Researcher … read more
expert reaction to speculation of a ban on social media for under-16s
Scientists comment on speculation of a social media ban for under-16s. Dr Holly Bear Senior Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of … read more
expert reaction to conference abstract from ENDO 2026 on anxiety-like behaviour in male offspring rats from mothers exposed to DEHP
An unpublished conference abstract presented at ENDO conference 2026 looks at anxiety behaviours of offspring rats from mothers exposed to … read more