Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to Defra confirmation of recall of unauthorised GM seed
The GM Inspectorate of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed that it has found the unintended presence of genetically modified seed in a batch of conventional oilseed rape imported from France, with seed from the same batch being recalled. A statement said: “there is no risk to adjacent crops or the wider environment”. read more
expert reaction to two new studies investigating statins and the immune response to flu vaccine in the elderly
Two studies have been published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases which report that statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) have a negative impact on the effectiveness of flu vaccines in elderly patients. read more
expert reaction in anticipation of The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015 coming into force
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015 are expected to come into force on Thursday 29th October, at which point licencing of clinics to use new techniques with the aim of preventing mitochondrial diseases could be allowed. read more
CFS/ME: PACE trial follow-up study
CFS/ME affects around 250,000 people in the UK and in severe cases results in patients being mostly bedridden and unable to do more than minimal daily tasks. The PACE trial, published in 2011, suggested that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) were moderately effective ways of treating people. A subsequent PACE trial follow-up study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry in January 2015, attempted to explain how and why these therapies work and what the implications were. Now, a follow-up study, also published in The Lancet Psychiatry, has assessed the participants’ health in the long-term, and asks whether their current state of health, two and a half years after entering the trial, has been affected by which treatment they received in the trial. read more
what do we know about how neonicotinoids affect bees?
Whether neonicotinoids harm bees and other insect pollinators is one of the most contentious questions that environmental policy makers have to grapple with today. In the last ten years over 400 scientific papers have been published on this topic, some contradicting each other, making it very difficult for non-specialists to access the entire evidence base. 18 months ago the Oxford Martin School at Oxford University brought together a group of experts in pollinator biology, with contrasting backgrounds and views, to review the evidence and to present it as a “restatement”: a concise summary intelligible to the non-specialist. In doing this the scientists aim to act as “honest brokers” – providing an account of the evidence and its imperfections but not directly recommending policies. read more
expert reaction to long-term follow-up study from the PACE trial on rehabilitative treatments for CFS/ME, and accompanying comment piece
A paper published in The Lancet Psychiatry reports results of a long-term follow-up study to the PACE trial for CFS/ME. The study has assessed the original trial participants’ health in the long-term, and asks whether their current state of health, two and a half years after entering the trial, has been affected by which treatment they received in the trial. read more
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC
The UN’s top climate official, Christiana Figueres, was in London in advance of COP-21. Journalists came to the SMC to hear one of the most important figures in international climate negotiations talk about her hopes and expectations for Paris. read more
expert reaction to a reported case of anthrax in a cow on a Wiltshire farm
Public Health England has confirmed that a case of anthrax, a bacterial disease, has occurred in a cow on a farm in Wiltshire. read more
expert reaction to study investigating fructose restriction and metabolic measures in obese children
The effect of the limitation of sugar in the diet of a small group of children with obesity is the subject of a paper published in the journal Obesity, with the authors reporting that they observed favourable metabolic outcomes including weight loss. read more
expert reaction to study investigating the effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on delaying the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and nursing home placement
Publishing in The Lancet Neurology journal, researchers have published their work looking for current therapies that may have an impact on Alzheimer’s. They report a secondary analysis of the DOMINO trial (announced in 2012)which suggests an off-patent drug may be able to delay the need for Alzheimer’s patients to enter nursing homes. read more
drug may delay need for Alzheimer’s patients to enter nursing homes
Treatments that can modify the disease course of Alzheimer’s may sadly be several years away, so researchers are looking for current therapies that may have an impact. Secondary analysis of the DOMINO trial (announced in 2012) suggests an off-patent drug may be able to delay the need for Alzheimer’s patients to enter nursing homes. read more
expert reaction to IARC classification of processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans” and red meat as “probably carcinogenic to humans”
Following an evaluation the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans, placing it in Group 2A, and processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, placing it in Group 1. read more
The Spending Review – Science is Vital campaign
George Osborne wants the UK to be the best place in the world for research. But during his time as Chancellor, UK science has slipped back relative to Britain’s major economic competitors. Among the G8 nations, the UK now invests the smallest fraction of its GDP on research (0.44%). The UK now has an economy that is less research intensive than China. For the past five years the research base has held its own – just. But the flat-cash settlement of 2010 has been eroded by inflation, and cuts to capital and departmental spending have left the UK with a reduced research base. But as the UK is pulling out of recession, there are renewed threats to science funding. Cuts of 25-40% have been mooted, but even another flat-cash settlement would be a backward step. Five more years of decline will see further erosion of the UK’s capacity to face the scientific and technological challenges of the future: climate change, energy and food supplies, emerging diseases and our aging population. read more
expert reaction to earthquake in north Afghanistan
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 has struck northern Afghanistan, with reports of tremors being felt in India and Pakistan. read more
expert reaction to Hurricane Patricia in Mexico
The strongest hurricane recorded at sea, named Patricia, hit the south west of Mexico on Friday evening local time, though it calmed somewhat by Saturday. read more
expert reaction to Mexico bracing for arrival of Hurricane Patricia
A strong hurricane, named Patricia, is heading for the Pacific coast of Mexico. read more
expert reaction to media reports that upcoming IARC classification of processed and red meat is expected to classify them as carcinogenic and probably carcinogenic to humans respectively
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) are soon to publish a report on the carcinogenicity of red meat and processed meat. There has been discussion in the UK media today that the report is likely to class processed meat as ‘carcinogenic to humans’, and red meat as ‘probably carcinogenic’. read more
new report: a critical time for UK energy policy
The whole UK energy system faces big changes to deliver against all aspects of the energy ‘trilemma’ — cost, security and decarbonisation. Speakers from the Royal Academy of Engineering will argue that so far, despite the challenges, the system is on course to meet the targets set by the UK and the EU, but only just; and that all the easiest actions have already been taken. Government policy drives the development of the UK’s energy system, but it will be up to privatised industry to deliver and invest. What’s in store for the UK’s energy mix? And what will happen to costs and decarbonisation? The Academy considers the possible futures of the UK’s energy system in a new report, A critical time for UK energy policy: what must be done now to deliver the UK’s future energy system. read more
expert reaction to study investigating anti-viral properties of substance engineered from lectin from bananas
The ability of specific molecules to turn different signals on or off in cells is the subject of a paper published in the journal Cell. A group of scientists describe their work in which they mutate the protein lectin in bananas, an action which reportedly stops lectin’s inflammatory properties but which maintain’s its anti-viral action. read more
expert reaction to publication of PHE’s report, ‘Sugar Reduction: the evidence for action’
Public Health England has published a report which focuses on interventions which aim to reduce sugar consumption. read more