Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study investigating screen time and well-being in teenagers
A study published in Psychological Science reported that the relationships between digital-screen time and mental well-being are nonlinear and that moderate engagement in digital activities is not harmful. read more
expert reaction to reports that a US woman died of infection resistant to all antibiotics available in the US
A woman from the US has died from multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The bacterium was resistant to all antibiotics available in the US. read more
Global overfishing: what is the world’s true catch?
Two leading marine biologists, Prof Daniel Pauly and Dr Dirk Zeller from the University of British Columbia’s Sea Around Us project, published findings last year that challenged fundamental assumptions about global fisheries. read more
expert reaction to expected approval of the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon later today
Plans for a £1.3bn tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay are to be backed in a government-commissioned review. read more
the facts about antidepressants
Antidepressants are a constant source of controversy. Concerns are raised that these drugs are not safe, that the side-effects are being overlooked, that they are being over-prescribed and are part of a trend of over-medicalisation. read more
expert reaction to stem cell therapy in blind mice with end-stage retinal degeneration
Publishing in Stem Cell Reports, a group of researchers have reported that retinal tissue derived from mouse induced pluriopotent stem cells (iPSCs) established connections with neighbouring cells and responded to light stimulation, restoring visual fuction in half of mice with end-stage retinal degeneration. read more
expert reaction to a study investigating breast cancer screening, tumour size, and over-diagnosis
The findings of a Danish 30-year cohort study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, with the authors reporting that breast cancer screening was not associated with a reduction in the incidence of advanced cancers but was associated with over-diagnosis of small tumours. read more
expert reaction to a review of the association between heartburn medication in pregnancy and risk of childhood asthma
A review of studies, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, reported a possible association between mothers taking heartburn medication during pregnancy and the risk of their children developing childhood asthma.
expert reaction to Theresa May’s pledge to overhaul mental health care
The government is to announce measures aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, the Prime Minister has said. read more
expert reaction to reports that Brixton Road has measured 19 breaches of the hourly nitrogen dioxide threshold, exceeding the number of allowed breaches in a year
Brixton Road has become the first place in London to breach objectives for nitrogen dioxide for 2017. UK objectives and EU limits stipulate a maximum nitrogen dioxide concentration that must not be exceeded for more than 18 hours over the whole year. read more
expert reaction to new US guidelines for the prevention of peanut allergy in the United States, published by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has published new guidelines for the prevention of peanut allergy in the United States, in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. read more
expert reaction to study investigating the association between stomach acid suppression medications and risk of gastrointestinal infections
Scientists publishing in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology have looked into whether acid suppression medicines increase the risk of bacterial gastroenteritis. read more
expert reaction to study linking living close to major roads to a small increase in dementia risk
A new population-based cohort study published in The Lancet reports living close to heavy traffic was associated with a small, yet significant, increase in the incidence of dementia, but not Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
expert reaction to study looking at Mediterranean diet and brain volume
The association between Mediterranean-type diet and change in brain size across a 3-year period in older age (73-76 years) is assessed in new research publishing in the journal Neurology. read more
expert reaction to commentary on diet drinks, sugary drinks and body weight
In a new review published in PLOS Medicine, the authors argue that sugar-free versions of drinks may be no better for weight loss or preventing weight gain than their full sugar counterparts, and they suggest artificially sweetened beverages should not be promoted as part of a healthy diet. read more
sugary drinks tax and health impacts
Last week we heard details of the government’s tiered levy on sugary drinks, which was broadly welcomed by experts. read more
expert reaction to research on asthma symptoms and processed meats
New research published in Thorax examines the association between higher cured meat intake and worsening asthma symptoms over time, using BMI as a mediator. read more
expert reaction to study looking at sugar intake guidelines and quality of evidence
A systematic review of sugar intake guidelines was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. read more
expert reaction to drug that is reported to restore memory loss and prolong life in mice
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation claimed that a drug reduced memory loss and prolonged life in mice. read more
expert reaction to study looking at role of cardiac troponin and statin therapy in risk of coronary heart disease
Research publishing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports troponin concentration predicts coronary events, is reduced by statin therapy, and change at 1 year is associated with future coronary risk independent of cholesterol lowering. read more