Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
expert reaction to IARC Evaluation of the carcinogenicity of Coffee, Maté and Very Hot Beverages (IARC Monographs volume 116)
The World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued its latest report that classified very hot drinks as group 2A carcinogens, meaning they are “probably carcinogenic to humans”, while coffee and maté (a herbal drink) served cold were in group three, which means there was insufficient evidence to suggest they cause cancer. read more
background comments ahead of this afternoon’s IARC Evaluation of the carcinogenicity of Coffee, Maté and Very Hot Beverages (IARC Monographs volume 116)
The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is expected to make an announcement later on the carcinogenicity of coffee and other hot drinks. read more
expert reaction to conference talk (unpublished work) on soft-core pornography and attitudes towards women, to be talked about at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology
A talk given at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology based on unpublished work reported on possible relationship between accessing soft-core pornography and attitudes towards women. read more
expert reaction to editorial on the revised UK Eatwell Plate
An opinion piece published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has argued that the Eatwell Plate, which is based on the government’s dietary advice, does not serve public health. read more
expert reaction to study on e-cigarettes and future cigarette use
The effect of e-cigarettes on the risk of taking up smoking is the subject of a paper published in the journal Pediatrics which reports that youths who never smoked but use e-cigarettes may have an increased risk of subsequently taking up smoking when they are legally allowed to purchase tobacco products. read more
expert reaction to systematic review reporting lack of an association between LDL cholesterol and mortality in the elderly
The contribution which different types of cholesterol make to risk of death from cardiovascular diseases is the subject of a paper published in the BMJ Open, which reports an inverse association between levels of ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol and mortality in most people over 60 years old. read more