Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to report on Soil Health as published by the Environmental Audit Committee
The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has released a report examining soil health which includes aspects of agricultural production, climate change mitigation and adaptation, urban development, and flood risk management. read more
expert reaction to judge-led inquiry into withholding of government-commissioned research
Sense About Science has published its inquiry into delayed publication of government-commissioned research which reports a lack of clarity about what constitutes government-commissioned research and what is subject to various rules covering publication. read more
expert reaction to paper reporting progress towards a potential universal cancer vaccine
The production of vaccines towards tumours has so far been relatively unsuccessful but a paper published in the journal Nature has reported some progress by using genetic components of the tumour cells combined with nanoparticles to produce an immune response. read more
expert reaction to research on Antarctic ocean warming
A paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience has examined timescales of ocean warming in response to greenhouse gases in the Arctic. read more
expert reaction to suggestion that the Rio Olympic Games should be postponed or moved due to the Zika virus outbreak, and the WHO’s response
A number of scientists have said that, with the ongoing Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, the upcoming Olympic Games should be moved to another venue however the World Health Organization has rebutted the suggestion. read more
expert reaction to study reporting that colistin-resistant bacteria have been detected in the urinary tract infection of a woman in the US
Publishing in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy a group of scientists have reported the identification of E. coli resistant to the anti-microbial compound colistin. read more
expert reaction to study on the effects of mobile phone radiofrequency radiation on rats by the US National Toxicology Program
The US National Toxicology Program has released partial findings from a study into the effects of radiofrequency radiation such as is found from mobile phones. read more
expert reaction to study on cannabis vaping using e-cigarettes
Cannabis is a class B drug in the UK but is in use for therapeutic purposes in a number of countries for various diseases, and a paper published in the journal Scientific Reports has reported that e-cigarette devices could be effective in administering therapeutic doses of the drug. read more
expert reaction to research on e-cigs and neutrophil cells
Publishing in the journal Respiratory Research researchers have reported that exposure to e-cigarette vapour extract triggers inflammatory responses from human neutrophils, a kind of immune cell. read more
evidence to select committee on CBRN emergencies
In May 2016 the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee conducted an inquiry into Science in emergencies: chemical, … read more
expert reaction to antibiotics and methane from cows
Agriculture contributes a large amount to greenhouse gase emissions and climate change from a range of sources and a research group publishing in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal has reported that antibiotics (used to improve livestock health and growth) can increase methane emissions. read more
expert reaction to review paper looking at air pollution and risk of stillbirth
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine on prenatal ambient air pollution exposure has reported an association between exposure to air pollution and the risk of stillbirth. read more
expert reaction to house of commons defence committee report on the use of mefloquine (also known as lariam) in the uk armed forces
A report by the House of Commons Defence Committee has looked at the use of the antimalarial mefloquine among military personnel and its associated risks. read more
expert reaction to statement on surgical intervention in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
New guidelines published in the journal Diabetes Care recommend that surgery be considered a standard option for appropriate candidates with type 2 diabetes, including in mildly obese people, and they call for health care regulators to introduce appropriate reimbursement policies. To date guidelines have been formally endorsed by 45 worldwide medical and scientific societies. read more
type 2 diabetes becomes an operable disease
A Joint Statement by leading diabetes organizations including the American Diabetes Association (ADA), Diabetes UK, International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Chinese Diabetes Society and Diabetes India and endorsed by 45 worldwide scientific societies, formally recognize surgery as a standard treatment option for type 2 diabetes. This development may be one of the biggest and most significant changes in diabetes care since the introduction of insulin in 1920s. Obesity guidelines have recommended for years bariatric surgery for people with severe obesity including many with associated diabetes. It is the first time, however, that diabetes guidelines recommend surgery as a treatment option for the management of the disease itself. read more
the regulation of medicines and devices and the EU referendum
The debate about the pros and cons of remaining – or leaving – the EU continues unabated. One important area that has not been publicly explored – or explained – are the benefits of membership of the EU when it comes to the regulation of drugs and devices. read more
expert reaction to new report on diet as published by the National Obesity Forum
The National Obesity Forum has produced a report on diet and dietary guidelines. read more
expert reaction to global study on low salt diets
Publishing in The Lancet, a group of researchers have reported that high sodium intake is associated with an increased risk in cardiovascular events and death in hypertensive populations but not in normotensive populations. read more
expert reaction to brazilian zika strain in cape verde
The Zika virus strain responsible for the outbreaks in Brazil has been detected in Cape Verde in Africa. read more
expert reaction to study examining efficacy of mitochondrial donation techniques
Legislation which allows the replacement of faulty mitochondria in eggs of mothers with mitochondrial disorders has been passed in the UK, and a paper published in the journal Cell Stem Cell has explored the efficacy of such techniques. The authors report levels of mitochondrial carryover from the original egg which they suggest could have functional significance. read more