Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study investigating dietary fibre and type 2 diabetes risk
An association between dietary fibre and reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes has previously been suggested, and this is the subject of a paper published in the journal Diabetologia. The authors report the results of a study in which increased total dietary fibre intake, especially cereal fibre, was associated with a lower risk of diabetes, and suggest that this might be mediated by a reduction in BMI. read more
expert reaction to phase 3 trial of viral immunotherapy for skin cancer
The use of the body’s immune system to treat cancer has been suggested for some time, and a clinical trial of an immunotherapy against skin cancer is the subject of a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The authors report the use of a virus which targets the cancer directly, but which also brings about an immune response in the patient’s body that fights against the tumour. read more
expert reaction to a study investigating a drug to promote weight loss in mice via formation of brown and beige fat
Different types of fat have different functions in the body and roles in metabolism, and drug which stimulates a specific enzyme involved in metabolism has been reported to protect against weight gain in mice. Publishing in the journal Nature Communications, the authors also report that the drug was able to promote weight loss in obese mice, and to improve aspects of diabetes. read more
expert reaction to study investigating traffic noise and midriff bulge
The relationship between noise generated by traffic and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist–hip ratio was explored in a study published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine. The authors reported that traffic noise was associated with an increase in waist circumference and waist-hip ratio but not BMI, and that combined exposure to more than one type of transport noise increased the risk further. read more
treating dyslexia – have we been getting it wrong?
Dyslexia affects around 375,000 children in the UK and can have a lifelong impact on learning. Patients and parents naturally want the best treatments possible and many turn to coloured cards and lenses which are thought to reduce visual stress. Many practitioners offer specialist eye treatments and therapies. However, there is growing evidence that this entire industry is founded on unsupported research. Experts have now used comprehensive eye tests with thousands of children to test the role of vision in dyslexia. Based on these results and those of previous work, the researchers want charities, practitioners and support groups to reflect the latest evidence. read more
expert reaction to thinning of Southern Antarctic peninsular glaciers
Publishing in the journal Science, researchers have reported the loss of ice from Antarctic ice sheets and suggest that warmer waters surrounding the glaciers may be responsible for the loss. read more
expert reaction to study and linked comment piece investigating deaths from cold weather and hot weather
Both hot and cold weather can contribute to premature deaths in different contexts, and scientists publishing in the Lancet journal have attempted to determine the relative contribution of each temperature type. The researchers report that more deaths were caused by cold rather than hot weather, and that extremes had less of an impact than “milder but non-optimal” weather. read more
paracetamol use in pregnancy and testosterone levels in unborn boys
Paracetamol is the most common pain and fever relief medicine used by pregnant women, but previous observational studies have suggested a possible link between prolonged use during pregnancy and reproductive issues in young boys. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have investigated the effects of paracetamol use on levels of testosterone in foetuses in a series of experiments using mice with human tissue grafts. read more
expert reaction to paper on effects of paracetamol use in pregnancy on foetal testosterone
In a study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, scientists have used a mouse model to look at possible effects of paracetamol on levels of testosterone in foetuses. Testosterone is important for male foetus development, and the researchers report that in the mouse model, exposure to paracetamol for seven days could lower testosterone production by 45%. read more
the El Niño Southern Oscillation
El Niño takes place in the Pacific Ocean and has the power to affect weather patterns around the world; an especially intense El Niño event is thought to be partly responsible for the famously high surface temperatures of 1998. Scientists are in broad agreement that an El Niño this year is underway, but its effects are notoriously hard to predict. read more
the long-term impacts of childhood bullying
Traditionally childhood bullying has been seen by many as a common and almost inevitable part of growing up, with lasting consequences fortunately happening rarely. However, there has been growing evidence of long-term impacts that can last far into adulthood. Now researchers have assessed whether there are not only psychological impacts, but also physical ones – specifically in relation to obesity and inflammation. read more
expert reaction to paper on iron levels and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
A link between levels of the body’s main iron-storing protein (ferratin) and Alzheimer’s disease has been investigated in a study published in the journal Nature Communications, with the researchers reporting that the more ferratin in a person’s cerebrospinal fluid, the earlier the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. read more
expert reaction to study investigating effect of cholesterol lowering drugs on stroke risk
Cholesterol-lowering drugs are often prescribed with the aim of preventing cardiovascular problems, and a paper published in The BMJ has reported that the use of such drugs was associated with a 30% lower risk of stroke in a group of people over the age of 65. read more
expert reaction to study investigating opioid synthesis by an engineered yeast, and comment
The production of pharmaceutical compounds from microorganisms is potentially cheaper and more effective than current methods, but there are obstacles which need to be overcome. These include increasing yields of the product, and such a result for the production of opiods in yeast has been reported by scientists publishing in the journal Nature Chemical Biology. read more
expert reaction to study investigating single motherhood and health in later life
Publishing in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, researchers have attempted to examine an association between single motherhood (defined in this study as being an unmarried mother, not taking cohabitation into consideration) and health later in life. They report that single mothers were at risk of poorer health, but that this risk varied between countries. read more
single motherhood and health in later life
Publishing in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, researchers have attempted to examine an association between being a single mother and possible poor health later in life. They report that single mothers were at risk of poorer health, but that this risk varied between countries. read more
clinical research with children: ethical issues
Without well-conducted medical research with children, our understanding of childhood disorders and evidence base for treatments will remain limited. The benefits of research can be seen in areas such as childhood leukemia, but overall, health research with children lags behind that with adults. In everyday practice, doctors still need to prescribe medicines that are often only tested in adults. Despite this, researchers and parents are worried about asking children to take part in research because of ethical and practical concerns. Following a two year inquiry, which has heard from hundreds of children and parents, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics is publishing its report, ‘Children and clinical research: ethical issues’. read more
expert reaction to announcement of changes in the provision of independent scientific advice to the European Commission
It has been announced that rather than having a chief scientific adviser to the president of the European Commission as in the past, a panel of experts will be appointed to provide scientific advice to the Commission. read more
expert reaction to debate on harm of psychiatric drugs
The positive and negative effects of psychiatric drugs are the subject of a discussion in The BMJ, with two professors and a patient debating their merits. read more
expert reaction to the University of Edinburgh’s announcement on fossil fuel investment policy
Following a consultation with its staff and students, the University of Edinburgh has announced changes to its policy on fossil fuel investment with the aim of promoting responsible investment. read more