Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to multiomics analysis of NK603 GM maize
Publishing in Scientific Reports researchers report NK603 genetically modified maize and its isogenic control are not substantially equivalent. read more
expert reaction to Defra statement on badger culling figures
Defra announces latest badger culling figures. read more
expert reaction to modelling study looking at the sugary drinks levy and potential health impacts
A study published in The Lancet Public Health looks at the sugary drinks levy and its potential health impacts. read more
expert reaction to modelling study on universal and conventional flu vaccines
Publishing in PLOS Computational Biology, researchers use mathematical modelling to predict the possible effects of a universal flu vaccine. read more
expert reaction to HFEA decision to permit the clinical use of mitochondrial donation techniques in the UK
The HFEA decided to permit the clinical use of mitochondrial donation techniques in the UK. read more
expert reaction to media reports of a woman having had a baby using ovarian tissue frozen when she was a child
A woman has given birth in London after doctors restored her fertility using frozen ovarian tissue removed when she was a young child. read more
expert reaction to published recommendations on the delivery of a 5g mobile network
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has published a report into how a 5G mobile network should be implemented in the UK. read more
expert reaction to literature review on efficacy of homeopathy in livestock
A literature review published in Veterinary Record looks at the evidence for the efficacy of homeopathy in livestock. They report that there is insufficient evidence for homeopathy as a way to prevent or treat infectious diseases in livestock. read more
expert reaction to geoengineering for cooling and ozone protection
New research publishing in PNAS, reports that releasing an aerosol of calcium carbonate into the atmosphere would cool the air, without damaging the ozone layer. read more
expert reaction to study on whether statins may reduce risk of alzheimer’s
Publishing in JAMA Neurology, researchers reported an association between statin use and lower Alzheimer’s disease risk. They reported variation in lowering disease risk across race and ethnicity and type of statin. read more
expert reaction to us surgeon general’s report on e-cigarettes and young people
The U.S. Surgeon General has published a report on e-cigarette use among youth and young adults. read more
expert reaction to paper on bpa and teethers
Publishing in Environmental Science & Technology, researchers reported finding traces of certain chemicals, including BPA, in teethers. read more
expert reaction to restoring faulty brain waves reduces amyloid protein in mice
Publishing in Nature, scientists reported that exposing mice to specific frequencies of LED light reduced the level of amyloid protein, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease, in the visual areas of the mouse brain. read more
expert reaction to drug target to prevent metastasis of cancer cells in mice
A study published in Nature reported the development in a mouse model of a drug that targets metastasis-promoting cells in cancer read more
expert reaction to draft legislation on a sugar tax
The government has drafted legislation on a sugar tax, first announced earlier in the year, that confirms a two-band levy for sugar-added soft drinks. read more
expert reaction to the government abandoning the anti-lobbying clause
The Cabinet Office announced new standards in government grants which confirm that the anti-lobbying clause, proposed earlier this year, has been abandoned. read more
expert reaction to phe’s alcohol evidence review
Public Health England (PHE) have published an evidence review that looks at the impact of alcohol on the public health and the effectiveness of alcohol control policies. read more
expert reaction to case study of a woman who drank too much water
BMJ Case Reports has reported a case of a woman who developed hyponatraemia (abnormally low sodium levels) after drinking an excessive amount of water in an attempt to help a recurrent urinary tract infection.
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expert reaction to study reporting the relationship between gut microbes and Parkinson’s disease symptoms in mice
Publishing in the journal Cell, researchers have reported that the function of a key protein associated with Parkinson’s disease may be modified by gut bacteria. The researchers report that alterations in gut microbes may signify a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. read more
expert reaction to first likely uk case of sexual transmission of zika from partner who had recently visited a country with active zika transmission
Pubic Health England (PHE) reported the news that there has been a first suspected case in the UK of sexual transmission of Zika from a partner who had recently visited a country with active ZIka transmission. read more