Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
Annual Home Office statistics on animal research
This briefing focused on the publication from the Home Office of its 2014 statistics on animals used in scientific procedures as well as the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) annual report for 2014. The latest figures were presented alongside responses from three leading experts who have a broad overview of animal research could give their thoughts on the reasons behind any changes in the statistics or issues raised in the annual report. The ‘Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals 2014’ is compiled from returns provided by project licence holders. The annual report provides an account of the Home Office’s activities in relation to the regulation of animal testing. read more
expert reaction to the release of the annual Home Office statistics on animal research
The Home Office has released its latest statistics on the number of animals used in research. read more
expert reaction to study looking at diet and brain shrinkage in an elderly US population
A study published in the journal Neurology has looked at a possible association between a Mediterranean style diet and brain size. They report that in a group of elderly people, they observed higher total brain volume as well as other specific measurements in those who had a stricter adherence to the diet. read more
expert reaction to evidence given to the Health Select Committee on the childhood obesity strategy
This included comments from Dr Alison Tedstone of Public Health England that fiscal measures have a role in reducing sugar consumption but that three other measures rank above a sugar tax (tackling promotions, advertising and sugar content via reformulation and portion sizes). read more
expert reaction to results from the loophole-free Bell test
Publishing in the journal Nature, a group of scientists have described their work on quantum theory, reporting an instantaneous interaction between two electrons separated by a distance of 1.3 km. read more
expert reaction to updates from the Royal Free Hospital on the condition of Ebola patient Pauline Cafferkey
The Royal Free Hospital has provided updates to the condition of Pauline Cafferkey, the British Nurse who was readmitted to hospital following infection with Ebola virus in 2014, saying that she is recovering well after developing meningitis caused by Ebola. read more
Ebola virus persistence Q&A
The following Q&A was prepared by experts on Ebola and infectious diseases in response to the readmission to hospital of Pauline Cafferkey, the nurse who was infected with Ebola in 2014. read more
expert reaction to today’s confirmed Hinkley Point deal
It has been announced that a deal has been agreed for Britain’s first nuclear power plant in a generation to be built at Hinkley Point in Somerset. read more
expert reaction to new paper examining airport proximity and respiratory and cardiac health
A study of the effects of air pollution on people living in the areas around the 12 largest airports in California has been published in The Review of Economic Studies journal, in which they estimate health and related financial costs. read more