Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to paper looking at butter consumption and cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mortality
Publishing in PLOS ONE, a systematic review and meta-analysis by scientists at Tufts University in Boston looked at the associations between butter consumption and mortality, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. read more
brexit: now what for science?
The UK voted to leave the EU in the referendum on 23 June, a decision that will have many consequences and mean many changes across all industries and professions. Science had voted overwhelmingly to stay within the EU, citing the benefits it provides to UK research including on funding and collaboration.
Three senior figures from the scientific community will be at the Science Media Centre to discuss what the Brexit might mean for UK science- what the reaction has been from researchers and institutions, what the challenges facing science will be, and what can be done to ensure the continued strength of UK research. read more
expert reaction to brexit and what it means for uk science
Experts give their reaction to what impact the UK’s decision to leave the European Union will have on UK science. read more
expert reaction to effect of exercise on cardiovascular health in the elderly
A study published in JAMA Cardiology investigated the impact of exercise on the risk of cardiovascular events in the elderly, and reported that exercise had no significant reduction in the risk of heart disease. read more
Professor Rod Smith on HS2
Professor Rod Smith FREng is Research Professor of Railway Engineering at Imperial College London and Chair of the Future Railway Research Centre. He was Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department for Transport from 2013 to 2015, and in 2011 he was President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Prof. Smith is a strong supporter of HS2. But on 30 June he will make a major presentation at the High Speed Rail in the UK Conference in Birmingham where he will describe his serious concerns about the way it’s been designed, arguing that it is a recipe for high costs, low capacity and slow speeds. read more
statins wars – a debate worth having?
This week the SMC ran a press briefing to publish two new pieces of research reporting that media coverage of the ‘statins wars’ was … read more
the perception of statins and the impact of intense debate on statin use
In 2014 the UK went through what one commentator described as ‘statin wars’ after NICE recommended that this now cheap off patent drug be offered to people with a lower risk of heart disease. The frenzied debate that ensued was marked by claim and counter claim about ‘ over-medicalisation’ and the dangerous side effects of the drugs. So what impact did this public row have on patient attitudes to statins and to the take up of the drug? Two new studies which asked this question in different ways are published together. read more
expert reaction to study on the impact of statins-related media coverage on the use of statins
Publishing in the BMJ a group of researchers have reported an association between media coverage of statins and changes in initiation of statins use. read more
expert reaction to study investigating two potential vaccines against Zika in mice
A study published in Nature reported the results of trials of two potential vaccines against the Zika virus in mice. read more
expert reaction to latest European Commission impasse on glyphosate
The EU failed to reach agreement during a vote on whether to reauthorise the use of glyphosate. read more
expert reaction to the UK voting to leave the European Union
Following a referendum the UK has voted to leave the European Union. read more
expert reaction to study looking at cancer transmissible between individual mussels, cockles and golden carpet shell clams
A paper published in the journal Nature has reported the identification of cases of cancer being transmitted from individuals in mussels, cockles and golden carpet shell clam species. read more
expert reaction to media reports that golf player Rory Mcllroy has pulled out of the 2016 Olympic Games due to fears over the Zika outbreak
The golfer Rory McIlroy has pulled out of the Olympics in Brazil because of concerns around the adverse health impacts of the ongoing Zika outbreak. read more
socioeconomic status and brain tumours
Socioeconomic status and risk of developing brain tumours is investigated in a paper published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health with the authors reporting a higher risk of glioma for those with measures of higher socioeconomic status. read more
expert reaction to study on socioeconomic status and brain tumours
Socioeconomic status and risk of developing brain tumours is investigated in a paper published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health with the authors reporting a higher risk of glioma for those with measures of higher socioeconomic status. read more
expert reaction to study looking at LDL cholesterol levels and heart events in people that have heart disease and are taking statins
An observational study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reported that, in patients with pre-existing ischemic heart disease, those with ‘moderate’ levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol had lower risk of adverse cardiac outcomes when using statins compared to those with ‘high’ levels of LDL cholesterol, but no additional benefit was seen for those with levels defined as ‘low’. read more
expert reaction to study looking at BRCA1 gene, breast cancer precursor cells in lab, and inhibitor of protein called RANK
Genetic differences in breast cancer patients and how they might be used to inform treatment choices is the subject of a paper published in the journal Nature Medicine with the authors reporting their identification of a marker which could be targeted in BRCA1 patients. read more
expert reaction to gut bacteria and social behaviour in mice
Publishing in the journal Cell a group of scientists have published their research working on mice which reports that a high fat diet of the mother can bring about a shift in gut microbes that negatively impacts the social behaviour of the offspring mice. read more
Food safety & authenticity: Laboratory of the Government Chemist conference
The annual conference of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC), an independent company that carries out food testing and analysis, will take place on 21-22 June 2016. This meeting brings together scientists, regulators, enforcement agencies, industry, and policy makers to discuss food fraud, authenticity and safety. Ahead of the conference, a panel of experts came to the SMC to discuss these issues and update journalists on the progress made in food safety and authenticity in the years since the horse meat scandal. read more
expert reaction to report calling for decriminalisation of drugs – Taking a New Line on Drugs
The Royal Society for Public Health and the Faculty of Public Health have released a report which discusses the current and possible strategies for dealing with legal and illegal drugs and calls for decriminalisation. read more