Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to changes in brain white matter in children suffering neglect
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics has examined the structure of the brains of infants in care homes, and compared children who remained in institutions with those who were placed in foster care. The researchers report associations between neglect of those in care homes in early life and poor quality of development of various parts of the brain. read more
expert reaction to new report on fracking by the Environmental Audit Committee
The House of Commons cross-party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has issued a new report on shale fracking in the UK. In it, they recommend that fracking be put on hold because of health risks and conflicts with climate change targets. read more
Expert reaction to news of potential Ebola vaccine commencing phase 3 efficacy trials in Liberia
The first batch of a potential Ebola vaccine (from GSK) has been flown to Liberia to begin phase 3 efficacy trials. The trial is expected to involve up to 30,000 people. read more
expert reaction to study on impact of statins and cholesterol on coronary heart disease mortality
Researchers have published in the BMJ Open their work attempting to quantify the effects of medications and changes in health on mortality from coronary heart disease. They report that reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol levels across the population contributed to reducing mortality, and that statins also played a part but that this effect was more pronounced in higher socioeconomic bands. read more
expert reaction to paper on hormonal contraceptives and brain tumours
A study published in the journal of Clinical Pharmacology has looked at the use of hormonal contraceptives and a link with brain tumours. The researchers report an association between ever using these contraceptives and incidence of glioma, which increase with duration of use, though they recognise potential confounding factors. read more
expert reaction to video-based therapy for autism
In a paper published in the Lancet Psychiatry, a group of researchers have studied the effects of using a video-based intervention for infants with familial risk of autism. The research team report that the intervention produced positive outcomes in terms of behaviour, developmental, and and brain function. read more
expert reaction to news on plain packaging of cigarettes
The government is set to bring forward a vote on legislation to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes sold in the UK, to before the general election in May. read more
expert reaction to study observing the presence of Formaldehyde-containing compounds in e-cigarette aerosols
In a letter to The New England Journal of Medicine, a group of researchers has analysed the levels of various chemicals in the vapour produced when smoking e-cigarettes, and gives estimates of levels of formaldehyde-releasing agents which are higher than other previous studies. read more
expert encounter with Professor Edzard Ernst
Next month will see Professor Edzard Ernst, the UK’s first and only Professor of Alternative Medicine, publish his new book. ‘A Scientist in Wonderland’ is a memoir of this scientist’s often turbulent times as a researcher into alternative medicine in Munich, Vienna and Exeter. read more
expert reaction to alcohol intake and risk of heart failure
A paper published in the European Heart Journal has examined the effects of alcohol consumption on levels of heart failure, reporting that having up to seven drinks a week was associated with lower levels of heart failure in both men and women. read more
expert reaction to paper on salt intake, mortality and cardiovascular disease
Researchers publishing in JAMA Internal Medicine have examined the relationship between salt consumption and cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and death. The team focused on adults aged 71-80 and monitored them for ten years, finding that there wasn’t an association between the negative outcomes which they monitored and salt intake. read more
expert reaction to new study reporting new ‘molecular scissors’ technique in mice
A study published in the journal Scientific Reports has described the use of a technique to edit specific genes in eggs or sperm at the time of fertilisation, which the research team suggest may have potentially have therapeutic benefits. read more
expert reaction to confirmation that 2014 was the hottest year on record
Researchers in the US from Nasa and Noaa have confirmed that 2014 was the warmest year on record globally. read more
expert reaction to reports of suspected case of Ebola in Northampton hospital
A woman who is suspected of being infected with the Ebola virus is being tested at Northampton General Hospital. read more
expert reaction to new research on sea level rise
A paper published in the journal Nature has estimated the degree to which sea levels rose in the twentieth century. The researchers report increases in sea levels which are in line with previous estimates for the period of 1993-2010, but which are higher than previous estimates for the period of 1901-1990. read more
expert reaction to study looking at brain cooling and neurodegeneration
A study published in the journal Nature has examined the effects of cooling the brain, such as happens during hibernation, on neurodegenerative disorders. The researchers point to the protection of brain cells despite the loss of connections between them during hibernation as a process which can be used to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s. read more
CFS/ME: The next step in the controversy
CFS/ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis) is a disease primarily characterised by extreme exhaustion that leaves many patients unable to perform even basic activities or look after themselves. Whilst there is currently no cure and the disease is poorly understood, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) have proved to be the most effective treatments for managing symptoms and improving physical function. read more
expert reaction to the EU decision to allow individual member states to prohibit cultivation of GM crops
The European Parliament has passed a new law which allows individual member states more flexibility in their regulation of genetically modified crops. read more
expert reaction to news that the UK nurse with Ebola is no longer critically ill
The condition of the British nurse who is being treated for Ebola at the Royal Free Hospital in London is improving, and is no longer critical. read more
expert reaction to review of drugs paid for by the Cancer Drugs Fund
NHS England has reviewed the Cancer Drugs Fund and announced that twenty five different treatments will no longer be funded by it. The Fund is forecast to be £100m over budget this year. read more