Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to opinion piece challenging the current approach to climate negotiations
A group of leading climate and cooperation experts take to the pages of Nature to challenge the approaches to climate negotiations, which led to more than 20 years of deadlock in international cooperation. read more
why Paris Climate Conference is failing — what to do
The major carbon-emitting countries have now made their pledges for a Paris Climate Protocol. But as Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, recently pointed out, the driving force behind the pledges is simply “the self-interest of every country” and their pledges are “not because they want to save the planet.” This is why they don’t add up — why we will fall short of the 2 degree target. To explain why this is happening, and what could be done about it, a group of leading climate and cooperation experts take to the pages of Nature to challenge the approaches to climate negotiations, which led to more than 20 years of deadlock in international cooperation. The provocative piece should be essential homework reading for policy makers trying to salvage the Paris negotiations. read more
expert reaction to reports that former Ebola patient Pauline Cafferkey has been admitted to the Royal Free Hospital with ‘complications’ from Ebola virus
A nurse who contracted Ebola while in Sierra Leone as an aid worker in December 2014 has been readmitted to hospital in London following an “unusual late complication” from the original infection. read more
expert reaction to conference presentation (unpublished work) on epigenetics and male sexual orientation
In the presentation of their unpublished work at the American Society of Human Genetics 2015 annual meeting, a research group report their attempt to develop a way of using markers of modification of genes to predict sexual orientation in men. read more
neuraminidase inhibitors in influenza
Pandemic influenza tops the UK’s National Risk Register due to the social and economic disruption that could result from a particularly virulent strain. Questions have been raised for some years about the efficacy and effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs)Tamiflu and Relenza, the principal antiviral drugs used in treating flu, and whether this justifies their being part of the UK government’s response to influenza. In response to a request from the UK Department of Health, a small, independent steering group was established by the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Wellcome Trust to review the recent evidence about the use of NAIs, consider the pipeline for new treatments for influenza, and identify research priorities. read more
expert reaction to report on use of neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs (Tamiflu and Relenza) during seasonal and pandemic flu
The Academy of Medical Sciences and the Wellcome Trust have published a report into the effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs for the treatment and prevention of influenza. read more
expert reaction to the announcement of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry winners
The 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded for research into DNA repair mechanisms, to Prof. Tomas Lindahl of the Francis Crick Institute, jointly with Prof. Paul Modrich of Duke University School of Medicine, and Prof. Aziz Sancar of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. read more
wildlife populations in the Chernobyl exclusion zone
The first large scale study of mammal populations in the 4,200 square kilometre human exclusion zone around Chernobyl has been completed by scientists. The zone was exposed to chronic radiation following the 1986 accident; nearly 30 years later, researchers have accurate data on the dual impacts on mammal populations of a radioactive environment and the exclusion of humans. read more
the future of UK renewable electricity
New onshore wind farms will be excluded from a subsidy scheme from April 2016; together with planning and other changes, some say this could halt onshore wind in its tracks despite it being the cheapest source of clean electricity in the UK. Early closure of the renewable obligation subsidy and a review of feed-in tariffs will affect the future of solar. The ‘climate change levy’ now also applies to renewable energy sources, despite the fact they emit no net carbon. Scientists and engineers agree that the electricity sector needs to be decarbonised to meet UK climate targets. So where does this leave the technologies; and what future for renewable electricity in the UK? How will these policy shifts affect the UK energy mix, emissions and climate targets? And what messages does it send to investors and to climate negotiators in Paris? read more
height and cancer incidence in the Swedish population
An abstract presented at the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology annual meeting has examined cancer incidence in the Swedish population and reports an association between height and risk of developing cancer. read more
expert reaction to conference presentation on height and cancer incidence in the Swedish population
An abstract presented at the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology annual meeting has examined cancer incidence in the Swedish population and reports an association between height and risk of developing cancer. read more
expert reaction to study on genetic alterations in healthy breast tissue cells and non-familial breast cancer risk
Publishing in the journal Genome Research, a group of scientists have described their work analysing genetic abnormalities in cells from breast tumours compared to normal cells, and report that changes in certain genes might be used as a predictor of sporadic breast cancer. read more
expert reaction to the St Albans sinkhole
A 20 m diameter sinkhole has opened up in St Albans, leading to the evacuation of several homes. read more
expert reaction to the Spending Review – scientists make the case
Further cuts in overall government spending have been heralded in the Spending Review and departments such as Business, Innovation and Skills being asked to model 25% and 40% cuts. What might this mean for UK science and engineering? read more
the Spending Review – science makes the case
In the run up to the 2015 election, David Cameron stated: “You can be assured that a Conservative government will be committed to investing in science and engineering because we want to see our strong and worldwide reputation in this hugely important area continue to go from strength to strength.” With further cuts in overall government spending heralded in the Spending Review and departments such as Business, Innovation and Skills being asked to model 25% and 40% cuts, what might this mean for UK science and engineering and, ultimately, the Government’s long-term economic plan to deliver sustainable growth, create more jobs and help secure a better future? read more
expert reaction to announcement of start of trial investigating safety and efficacy of potential new embryonic stem cell-derived treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), at Moorfields Eye Hospital, as part of the ‘London Project to Cure Blindness’ project
A patient at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London has become the first to receive an experimental stem cell therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as part of an 18 month clinical trial to find a cure for wet AMD. read more
expert reaction to the Drax decision to stop investing in CCS
Energy company Drax has announced their abandonment of the White Rose Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) scheme, blaming the recent cuts in renewable energy subsidies for the decision. read more
what is a biosimilar?
Biological medicines have revolutionised patient treatment by offering new and effective medicines for acute and chronic conditions including a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, neutropenia, cancers, and enzyme or hormone deficiencies. A biosimilar medicine is a biological medicine which is highly similar to another biological medicine already licensed for use and, as originator biological medicines come off patent, more biosimilar medicines will become available. read more
expert reaction to study investigating industrially-produced and naturally-occurring trans fats and heart health
Publishing in the European Heart Journal a group of researchers have described their work examining a possible link between trans fatty acids and mortality, reporting that naturally occuring trans fats were associated with reduced risk of death while no increased risk was seen with industrially produced trans fats. read more
six steps to tackle mental health
The financial, social and long-term health impacts of poor mental health are only just being recognised with the latest research suggesting that in the UK mental and behavioural disorders cause at least 12% of all disability. However, despite now being on the political agenda progress is slow. Over 1,000 scientists have looked at the latest evidence, investigated the impact of the most recent technological advances and come up with six steps that will have the biggest effect on tackling mental health. The report, part of the ROAMER programme (roadmap for mental health research in Europe), is being published in The Lancet Psychiatry, leads for politicians and policy makers to commit to targeted research, sharing of data and matching of funds. read more