Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study investigating elective caesarean sections and asthma, obesity and all-cause death by 21 years of age in those born
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has investigated between vaginal birth, planned and unscheduled cesarean delivery, and subsequent health problems or early death of the child, reporting differences in risk of a range of outcomes between the three groups. read more
elective caesarean sections and asthma, obesity and all-cause death
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has investigated between vaginal birth, planned and unscheduled cesarean delivery, and subsequent health problems or early death of the child, reporting differences in risk of a range of outcomes between the three groups. read more
evidence to select committee on science in emergencies: UK lessons from Ebola inquiry
In September 2015 the Science Media Centre submitted written evidence to the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee on what lessons have … read more
expert reaction to first report from Commons Health Committee on tackling childhood obesity, ‘Childhood obesity – brave and bold action’
The House of Commons Health Committee has produced a report into the scale and consequences of childhood obesity. read more
power cuts and electricity blackouts
We’ve become accustomed to a reliable supply of electricity, but short, local power cuts still occur. And every year at this time we hear questions about whether we have enough power station capacity to meet demand – and about the risks of the ‘lights going out’. What causes power cuts and what can we expect in future? What will be the impact on reliability from changes in the electricity system from renewables and new nuclear, as well as the phasing out of coal power stations by 2025? What role will smart systems play, and what measures will be used to balance demand as well as supply? A new briefing document prepared by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) explores these questions and addresses the myths and truths about power cuts and blackouts. read more
expert reaction to the Committee on Climate Change’s 5th Carbon Budget
The Committee on Climate Change, who advise the UK government and devolved administrations on emissions targets, have released their fifth carbon budget. read more
expert reaction to axing of £1bn carbon capture and storage (CCS) scheme
It has been announced in the spending review and autumn statement that a £1 billion competition for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has been cancelled. read more
expert reaction to announcement of spending review and autumn statement
The chancellor has announced in the autumn statement and comprehensive spending review that the science budget will increase in real terms to £4.7 billion, while the budget for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will be cut by 17%, for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by 15% and the Department for Energy and Climate Change by 22%. read more
expert reaction to WMO report on status of global climate 2015
The World Meteorological Organization has released a report stating that “the global average surface temperature in 2015 is likely to be the warmest on record and to reach the symbolic and significant milestone of 1° Celsius above the pre-industrial era”. read more
expert reaction to Cochrane review of medication for ADHD
Publishing in The Cochrane Library a group of scientists have reviewed the evidence around the effects of a common drug which is used to treat ADHD in children and adolescents, reporting that methylphenidate is associated with some benefits but also an increased risk of “non-serious adverse effects”. read more
expert reaction to study investigating the association between weekend and weekday births and obstetric outcomes
A paper published in The BMJ has examined differences in quality and safety of maternity services between different days, and reports that according to some of the measures which they assessed, weekends saw worse performances than weekdays. read more
expert reaction to study investigating blood glucose response to certain foods in different individuals
A group of scientists have published their work in the journal Cell which reports variable glucose levels in people following meals, and put forward an algorithm which they report can predict a person’s glycemic response. read more
expert reaction to proposed new Cancer Drugs Fund system that’s fully integrated into the NICE appraisal process, and is now open for consultation
A consultation on integrating the Cancer Drugs Fund into the appraisal process of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has been announced. read more
expert reaction to the approval of genetically engineered ‘AquAdvantage’ Salmon by the FDA
The US Food and Drink Administration has approved a new application for a genetically engineered Atlantic salmon named AquAdvantage Salmon. read more
expert reaction to Nurse Review of Research Councils
Sir Paul Nurse has published his review of the structure of the UK’s research councils, which recommends preserving them and providing a formal organisation above them to improve certain processes such as funding and which would be a strengthened voice for science and research. read more
The Nurse Review
An independent review of the UK Research Councils, led by Sir Paul Nurse, is published on 19th November. The report reviews why and how the UK should undertake research. The report makes recommendations to consider how the Research Councils should evolve to support research in the most effective ways to benefit society and to how to invest public money in the best possible way. The review was announced as part of the government’s science and innovation strategy in December 2014. read more
expert reaction to study investigating prevalence in China of gene that enables bacteria to be resistant to polymyxins, the last line of antibiotic defence
The discovery of a gene with allows bacteria to become resistant to a specific type of antibiotic (one considered a “last line of defence”) has been reported in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. read more
expert reaction to new study on bumblebees and neonicotinoids
Publishing in the journal Nature, a group of scientists has described their research into neonicotinoid pesticides and bumblebees, reporting that bumblebees exposed to such pesticides visited apple trees less frequently and collected pollen less often. read more
expert reaction to the release of NICE draft guidance that it is not recommending evolocumab as a treatment for patients with high cholesterol levels
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has announced draft guidance that it is not recommending evolocumab as a treatment for patients with high cholesterol levels. read more
expert comment on Amber Rudd’s speech today on UK energy
The secretary of state for energy and climate change has announced that the UK’s coal-fired power stations will be closed by 2025, with more gas-fired stations to be built. read more