Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to review article on epigenetics, father’s lifestyle and offspring health
A group of scientists publishing in the American Journal of Stem Cells have looked at the evidence of the contribution of the father’s genes and their modification (epigenetics), environmental and lifestyle factors, and the effects on any offspring. read more
expert reaction to experimental evidence on Zika virus and birth defects in a mouse model
The Zika virus is still spreading through the Americas with information on its effects emerging, and a paper published in the journal Nature has reported experimental evidence for the first time that it can cause signs of microcephaly in mice. read more
expert reaction to supplements during pregnancy and autism as presented at the 2016 International Meeting for Autism Research
In work not peer reviewed but presented at the 2016 International Meeting for Autism Research a group of scientists have reported a possible link between high levels of folate during pregnancy and a child’s risk of autism. read more
expert reaction to BMI and risk of death
The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and mortality is the subject of a paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association which reports that the BMI associated with the lowest risk of death has increased by 3.3 from studies in 1976-1978 to 2003-2008. read more
expert reaction to study reporting an association between cumulative pesticide exposure and risk of developing ALS (a form of motor neuron disease)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a form of motor neuron disease and is the subject of a paper in JAMA Neurology which reports that environmental pollutants measured in the blood were associated with the disease. read more
expert reaction to study looking at artificially sweetened drinks in pregnancy and body mass index of infants
Publishing in JAMA Pediatrics a group of researchers have reported that a mother’s consumption of artificial sweeteners during pregnancy may influence the BMI of the infant. read more
poles apart
This is a guest post by Tom Sheldon, Senior Press Manager at the SMC. In March 2016 the Natural Environment … read more
evidence to select committee on science communication
In April 2016 the Science Media Centre contributed written evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry on science … read more
modelling human embryo development
Mouse models of embryo development have told us a great deal about the early stages of life, but until now attempts to model these stages using human embryos have been unable to take us beyond the first few days of development, past the stage where the embryo implants itself into the womb. Now, in parallel papers in Nature and Nature Cell Biology, two international teams report the development of a technique that allows scientists to culture human embryos further than ever before, up to day 13 of development, the limit allowed by international law. read more
expert reaction to ketamine metabolite and depression in a mouse model
A study in mice published in the journal Nature has reported that a metabolite from the breakdown of ketamine is responsible for antidepressant effects of the drug. read more
expert reaction to two papers studying human embryo development
Mouse models of embryo development have told us a great deal about the early stages of life, but until now attempts to model these stages using human embryos have been unable to take us beyond the first few days of development, past the stage where the embryo implants itself into the womb. Now, in parallel papers in Nature and Nature Cell Biology, two international teams report the development of a technique that allows scientists to culture human embryos further than ever before, up to day 13 of development, the limit allowed by law. read more
expert reaction to unpublished work on pyrethroids and autism in New York state – conference poster from the American Association of Pediatrics
Unpublished work presented at American Association of Pediatrics conference has reported an association between a certain type of pesticide and autism and developmental delays in children. read more
expert reaction to the effects of different neonicotinoids on bumblebees
There is growing concern over the impact of the neonicotinoids to insect pollinators and how their loss may limit the ecosystem services that are vital to our food production (globally worth US$215 billion) and the stability of our natural environment. In a new study, published in Scientific Reports, researchers directly relate the effects of three neonicotinoids, at the level of individual brain cells to their impact on whole colonies of bumblebees placed at 5 different sites across Scotland. read more
new study on neonics and impact on bumblebees
There is growing concern over the impact of the neonicotinoids to insect pollinators and how their loss may limit the ecosystem services that are vital to our food production (globally worth US$215 billion) and the stability of our natural environment. In a new study, published in Scientific Reports, researchers directly relate the effects of three neonicotinoids, at the level of individual brain cells to their impact on whole colonies of bumblebees placed at 5 different sites across Scotland. The conclusions from this study demonstrate that these three neonicotinoids must be considered individually for their risk to bees. Most importantly, the research asks whether they are all toxic (when exposed chronically to field-relevant levels) to bumblebees under the conditions of a field experiment. read more
expert reaction to new report on e-cigarettes and public health
A report by the Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians has looked at the effect of e-cigarettes on smoking and nicotine use in the UK. read more
expert reaction to ‘Air Quality’ report from the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has produced a report into air quality in the UK which calls for action to reduce the risk of diseases caused by air pollution. read more
expert reaction to study investigating morning versus afternoon flu vaccine administration and vaccine effectiveness
Vaccines are used to offer protection against a number of diseases and so ensuring their effectiveness is important, and a study published in the journal Vaccine has reported that flu vaccines given in the morning brought about a greater immune (measured by antibody levels) response than those given in the afternoon. read more
expert reaction to study commenting on Mediterranean diet, Western diet, and risk of heart attack and stroke in people with existing heart disease
Publishing in the European Heart Journal, a group of researchers have examined the effect of diet on patients with coronary heart disease and report that greater consumption of healthy foods (such as in a typical Mediterranean diet) may be more important than avoidance of unhealthy foods (such as in a typical Western diet) for prevention of further instances of heart disease. read more
expert reaction to Nornex report on ash dieback
A group of researchers have reported the identification of ash trees which are tolerant to ash dieback, a disease which is spreading through the UK. read more
expert reaction to report on diesel vehicle emissions testing programme
The Department of Transport (DfT) has published its research into emissions levels from diesel cars following a scandal which revealed that several companies had been manipulating emission controls. The DfT report that, for all vehicles which they tested, nitrogen oxide conditions were higher in real world conditions than in laboratory conditions. read more