Author Archives: Science Media Centre
UK Energy Policy
The UK energy system is going through a period of rapid change. The implications of the vote to leave the EU and subsequent changes within government are largely unknown. Uncertainties about the future of the energy system were already high; these changes have compounded them. The UK Energy Research Centre has produced an evidence-based commentary – addressing heat, transport, electricity, gas, and other major components of the energy system – which aims to take stock of UK energy policy ahead of the Autumn Statement, the Industrial Strategy and the Emissions Reduction Plan, and make recommendations for action by government. read more
expert reaction to conference abstract (unpublished work) on yo-yo dieting and heart disease deaths
An unpublished conference abstract discussed at the American Heart Association meeting has reported that yo-yo dieting may increase the risk of death from heart disease among postmenopausal women. read more
expert reaction to the Global Carbon Budget analysis for 2016
Publishing in the journal Earth System Science Data a group of scientists have described their modelling of carbon dioxide emissions and their distribution – known as the global carbon budget. read more
expert reaction to study describing the regeneration of functional human oocytes from discarded genetic material
Scientists publishing in the journal Cell Stem Cell have reported the production of functional human oocytes from discarded genetic material, a process which they suggest could one day assist in fertility treatment or mitochondrial replacement therapy. read more
expert reaction to study reporting on a device that restores movement to monkeys with paralysed limbs
Scientists publishing in the journal Nature have reported their work to restore movement to the legs of primates following spinal cord injury through a system of wireless control systems which linked relevant areas of the brain and spine. read more
vaping and smoking
A research letter published in JAMA has examined the association between e-cigarette use and progression to smoking in a group of adolescents in the US. read more
expert reaction to vaping and smoking
A research letter published in JAMA has examined the association between e-cigarette use and progression to smoking in a group of adolescents in the US. read more
expert reaction to study of the growth rate of atmospheric CO2
A pause in the growth rate of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is reported in the journal Nature Communications with the researchers also reporting a decline in the fraction of man-made emissions remaining in the atmosphere despite an increase in the levels of those emissions. read more
expert reaction to study reporting results of antibody therapy in pregnant mice with Zika
Using samples from patients previously infected with the Zika virus, a group of scientists writing in the journal Nature have reported the identification of antibodies which were able to mitigate the effect of infection in pregnant and non-pregnant mice. read more
expert reaction to study looking at dietary emulsifiers, gut inflammation, tumours and colorectal cancer in mice
Publishing in the journal Cancer Research a group of scientists have examined the effects of emulsifiers present in processed foods and report that, in mice, they alter levels of gut bacteria and promote inflammation and colorectal cancer. read more
GM wheat for increased yield
Scientists from Rothamsted Research, the University of Essex and Lancaster University provided an update on a new research project with GM wheat plants that have been engineered to carry out photosynthesis more efficiently. This trait has the potential for increased yields. read more
expert reaction to two different studies reporting on the adaptation of the Ebola virus throughout the West African outbreak
Two papers published in the journal Cell have examined how the Ebola virus adapted during the outbreak in West Africa. read more
expert reaction to ‘Future Flood Prevention’ report
The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has published a report on the prevention of future floods which makes a number of recommendations including simplifying risk communication and improving resilience. read more
The state of the climate
This time last year, climate scientists came to the SMC to brief journalists ahead of the Paris negotiations. As the next COP meeting in Marrakesh approaches, those same scientists talked about the latest in climate science. What do the most recent observations show and has anything significantly changed? What trajectory are we on, and is the policy response in step with the science? What are scientists expecting to happen to temperatures and the earth’s response to greenhouse gases? And are we moving fast enough with clean energy technologies? read more
Testing a ‘controversial’ treatment for CFS/ME in children
In England up to two in 100 children have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), the illness means they are unable to go to school or do other activities for more than three months. In fact 1% of secondary school children miss a day a week or more because of it. Unfortunately controversy rages around the illness and the treatment. Most children will recover if they receive specialist treatment; however, there is very limited specialist care in the UK and approximately 90% of children live too far away to receive the treatment they need. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is known to be effective for children and a very successful trial in the Netherlands showed it can be delivered over the internet, meaning children can be helped wherever they live. However, we do not know if the results can be replicated in the UK so researchers, amidst rising tension from some people who do not support treatments such as CBT or Graded Exercise Therapy, are now starting a large clinical trial to test whether this treatment would work in the UK and should be available on the NHS. read more
expert reaction to review of industry-funded studies on sugary drinks
The funding and results of studies into the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages is examined in a paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal with the authors reporting that industry-funded studies were more likely to find no connection between the drinks and obesity or diabetes. read more
expert reaction to paper identifying 12 genetic loci linked to human reproductive behaviour
A paper published in the journal Nature Genetics has reported the identification of a number of specific areas of the genome associated with age at which a first child is born and number of children ever born. read more
expert reaction to study looking at Zika infection and testes and sperm in mice
Researchers publishing in the journal Nature have looked at the effects of Zika virus infection in mice and report that infection with certain strains was associated with damage to the testes of male mice, cell death and lower testosterone levels. read more
expert reaction to study evaluating the safety and efficacy of a potential contraceptive injection for men
The safety and effectiveness of a male contraceptive injection are assessed in a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism with the authors reporting reasonable effectiveness but a relatively high frequency of mild to moderate mood disorders. read more
expert reaction to study on exposure to chemicals and type 2 diabetes cases in the elderly
A group of scientists publishing in The Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health have examined the possible effects of certain chemicals on levels of diabetes in the elderly. read more