Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to modelling study looking at Zika infection and microcephaly cases in the 2013-14 Zika outbreak in French Polynesia
A group of scientists have published their work in The Lancet journal in which they retrospectively analysed data from a previous Zika outbreak in French Polynesia. In their follow up modelling study they reported Zika virus infection during the first trimester of pregnancy led to higher than expected rates of microcephaly. The association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly, however, has not been precisely quantified. read more
expert reaction to reports of high levels of chlorine in Derbyshire water
The water company Severn Trent has advised thousands of customers in Derbyshire and Leicestershire not to use its water following the detection of high levels of chorine. read more
expert reaction to study investigating levels of ‘good’ cholesterol and heart disease risk in people with a rare genetic variant
A study published in the journal Science reported the discovery of a rare genetic variant associated with high levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), normally termed ‘good cholesterol’, and also associated with an increased risk of heart disease. read more
expert reaction to two studies on stem cells and eyes
Two papers have been published in Nature examining the use of stem cells in eye research. The first reported stimulating the body’s own stem cells in the eye, in rabbits and separately in human infants, to promote regeneration of a surgically removed lens during treatment for cataracts. The second study used induced pluripotent stem cells and reported the ability to grow several types of eye tissue in a dish in a lab. read more
expert reaction to editorial suggesting microbes may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease
An editorial published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease has called for more research to investigate the role of microbes in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. read more
expert reaction to two studies investigating peanut allergy and peanut consumption in early years
Publishing in the New England Journal of Medicine two groups of researchers have investigated the effects of consumption of certain foods as a baby on allergy later in life. read more
expert reaction to ‘Fukushima – Five Years On’
The fifth anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster is on 11th March 2016 and is being marked by a special edition of the journal Clinical Oncology. read more
expert reaction to research on climate change and food/health
The effect that climate change could have on future food production and wider health is the subject of a paper published in The Lancet journal, with the authors reporting their use of a model which suggests reductions in global food availability and an increase in related deaths by 2050. read more
expert reaction to study investigating vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy and bone health in babies
Publishing in The Lancet journal, a group of scientists have looked at whether babies born to mothers whose diets were supplemented with vitamin D during their pregnancy have a greater whole-body bone mineral content (BMC) than those whose mothers diets were unchanged, and report no difference in neonatal whole-body BMC between these two groups. read more
British scientists win the world’s largest prize for neuroscience
Next week three neuroscientists will be awarded the world’s most valuable prize for brain research. The Brain Prize, awarded by the Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Foundation in Denmark is worth one million Euros. Awarded annually, it recognises one or more scientists who have distinguished themselves by an outstanding contribution to neuroscience with the world’s most valuable prize for neuroscience. This will be the first time that British scientists have won the prize. read more
expert reaction to study of e-cigarettes and smoking cessation
E-cigarettes and their contribution to smoking prevalence is the subject of a paper published in the journal Addiction. read more
expert reaction to study looking at patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) during the Zika virus outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013-2014
Publishing in The Lancet journal a group of researchers have analysed data from a previous outbreak of Zika virus in French Polynesia and report that of 42 patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome at the time, all showed signs of an immune response against Zika whereas only half of those in a control group did. read more
UK science and the EU Referendum
The Referendum on whether Britain should remain a member of the EU is undoubtedly the biggest political issue and news story of 2016. It is likely to be announced that the Referendum will be held around June of this year, and many interested parties and groups are already fighting to make sure their voices are heard. Where does the scientific community stand on the EU? The UK has a very strong science base, and part of that strength has come through close ties to other EU member states and their scientists and resources. The impact of leaving the UK could have profound effects on science in the UK, especially funding, movement of researchers, collaboration on projects, access to data, and regulation. read more
expert reaction to study reporting sperm-like cells generated from mouse embryonic stem cells
A group of scientists have reported the creation of functioning sperm-like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells, and publish their research in the journal Cell Stem Cell. The team report that these cells were able to produce viable offspring in when injected into egg cells and implanted in the mice. read more
mefloquine and mental health in the armed forces
Mefloquine (also known by the trade name Lariam) is an anti-malarial drug that has been in use for over thirty years and is on the World Health Organisation’s List of Essential Medicines. It is the primary anti-malarial drug prescribed to members of the armed forces in the UK, but recent controversy about psychiatric side effects have led some to call for it to be replaced with a different anti-malarial treatment. While potential psychiatric side effects from mefloquine use have been documented for many years, the extent to which psychiatric issues in the armed forces may be due to the drugs is complicated and unclear due to the elevated risk of certain psychiatric conditions within this group. The Ministry of Defence has opened into an inquiry into the use of mefloquine in the armed forces, and is currently hearing evidence from various experts and individuals. read more
expert reaction to reports of US court decision on case of talcum powder use and ovarian cancer
A court in the US has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay damages of $72m to the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer which it is claimed was caused by genital use of the company’s baby powder talc. read more
expert reaction to modelling study looking at incomplete personal protection coverage in vector-borne disease
Publishing in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface a group of scientists have used a model to analyse the use of personal protection techniques, such as netting and insect repellents, for the avoidance of diseases spread by carriers like mosquitoes. From this model they suggested some circumstances under which such devices might increase disease in the unprotected portion of the population. read more
expert reaction to major incident declared following a possible explosion or building collapse at Didcot Power Station
Parts of Didcot A power station have reportedly collapsed during decommissioning, with a major incident declared. read more
expert reaction to reports that Pauline Cafferkey, who previously recovered from Ebola, has been admitted to hospital for the third time
The British nurse, Pauline Cafferkey, who had previously recovered from Ebola after working in West Africa has been admitted to hospital for a third time. read more
expert reaction to new report on the lifelong impact of air pollution
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) have published a report which estimates 40,000 deaths a year in the UK as being linked to air pollution. read more