Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study investigating content of and contaminants in laboratory rodent diets
The diets of rodents in food safety and toxicology studies is the topic of a paper published in the journal PLOS ONE, in which the authors report the presence of contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms in the feed or lab rodents. The authors go on to suggest that such contaminants could affect the reliability of toxicity testing in general. read more
Expert reaction to news that factory worker in Germany died after being crushed by robotic machinery
A man has died after being crushed by a robot at a Volkswagen plant in Germany, with initial reports suggesting that human error was to blame. read more
expert reaction to study on hormone levels and financial risk taking in men
Hormones have been shown to control behavioural and structural changes in the body, and researchers publishing in the journal Scientific Reports have examined a possible association between levels of testosterone or cortisol, and risk taking in financial situations. read more
the Oxford Martin Safe Carbon Investment Initiative
The G7 recently committed to decarbonise the economy by 2100. Now, a group of leading climate scientists and economists has been formed to examine investments in fossil fuel industries. The Oxford Martin Safe Carbon Investment Initiative aims to provide a robust, evidence-based approach to the divestment question. Work will begin soon to ask what, if any, are the realistic alternatives to divestment? What would a safe fossil fuel investment look like in a world in transition to net zero carbon emissions? What does a company that remains engaged in fossil fuel extraction need to do to reassure its investors and customers that it is acting responsibly, and to ensure that its activities are not committing future taxpayers or shareholders to expensive climate adaptation, mitigation or remediation measures? read more
cochrane review of evidence on stress urinary incontinence surgery / vaginal mesh – effectiveness and side effects
Vaginal mesh surgery for stress urinary incontinence has been in the news over the last couple of years, with questions being asked about its safety, effectiveness and potential side effects. The procedure involves implanting a sling made of artificial mesh under the urethra to support the muscles of the bladder. There have been a number of reports of women suffering pain and injury after surgery, and some suggestion that side-effects may be due to the sling which is made of non-absorbable plastic. This has led to court cases worldwide, with some already under way in the UK, the USA and Canada. In Scotland, the health minister called for hospitals to consider the suspension of mesh operations until more evidence is available. An independent review set up in Scotland in 2014 to review the safety of these operations will publish its findings later this year. read more
expert reaction to the Committee on Climate Change’s latest report to Parliament
The Committee on Climate Change has produced its first report to the new parliament, regarding reducing emissions and preparing for climate change. read more
expert reaction to Lancashire council decision to reject fracking applications
Lancashire County Council has rejected an application for fracking for shale gas at a coastal site in Fylde. read more
expert reaction to opinion piece suggesting sperm banking for young men
An opinion piece published in the Journal of Medical Ethics earlier this month has suggested that all 18-year-old men should have the opportunity to have their sperm frozen, in order to avoid health risks associated with being an older father. read more
expert reaction to study on association between Caesarean section births and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
A study has examined a possible link between Caesarean section births and probability of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). read more
expert reaction to possible new biomarker for early-stage pancreatic cancer
A new study published in the journal Nature has reported the identification of a blood protein that has the potential to be used as a biomarker for early-stage pancreatic cancer. read more
expert reaction to the results of the 5 year project to develop wheat that is genetically engineered to repel aphids
The full results of the controversial GM wheat field trial held by Rothamsted Research in 2012-2013 have been published in the journal Scientific Reports. read more
publication of the results of the 5 year project to develop for the first time wheat that is genetically engineered to repel aphids
The full results of the controversial GM wheat field trial held by Rothamsted Research in 2012-2013 are published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports. The first year of the trial, labelled by journalists as ‘the whiffy wheat’ trial, caused significant public attention when Take the Flour Back was formed to campaign against the field trial and held a protest at the site. The campaign became a something of a cause célèbre when the Rothamsted Researchers fought back with a YouTube video and petition appealing to activists not to destroy the trial site. In the event the campaigners did not disrupt the research and had no bearing on the performance of the trial or the gathering of results. read more
expert reaction to effect of road traffic noise on stroke and death
A new study has been published that examines possible effects of long-term exposure to road traffic noise on life expectancy and risk of strokes. read more
expert reaction to dietary fibre in pregnancy and asthma in offspring
A new study performed on mice, published in Nature Communications, has looked at the effect of a mother’s fibre intake on the likelihood of her offspring developing asthma. read more
expert reaction to erectile dysfunction medicine and melanoma
A study has been published in the journal JAMA which investigates a potential link between medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction and skin cancer. read more
new report from the Lancet Climate Health Commission
A new report from the Lancet Climate Health Commission has declared climate change a ‘medical emergency’. Its authors state that the threat to human health posed by climate change is so great that it could undermine the last fifty years of gains in development and global health. It also presents new evidence suggesting that the health benefits of mitigation/adaptation – from reducing air pollution to improving diet – represent one of the greatest opportunities to improve global health this century. read more
expert reaction to news of meningitis vaccination programmes to begin this summer
The government has announced the launch of MenB and MenACWY vaccine programmes to protect babies and young people against the meningococcal bacterium. read more
expert reaction to potential chlamydia vaccine in mice
A study done in mice and published in Science appeared to identify a potential vaccine against chlamydia. read more
expert reaction to effects of fasting diet in mice and humans
A study looked at the effects of a calorie-restricted diet in both mice and humans. read more
expert reaction to the Pope’s statements on climate change
The Pope issued an encyclical on climate change calling. read more