Author Archives: Science Media Centre
sexual offending and heritability
In the wake of many high profile stories of sex offences in the news, there has been much speculation and debate around what factors contribute to the likelihood of individuals committing sexual crimes. Previously, much of the research in this area has focused on environmental factors such as deprived childhoods and alcohol use, rather than possible genetic influences. In a large population study using data from Sweden, researchers from the University of Oxford and the Karolinska Institutet have investigated the genetic impact on the risk of sexual offending by looking at the close male relatives of convicted sexual offenders. read more
expert reaction to study reporting results of first-in-man trial of an antibody therapy for HIV
Researchers publishing in the journal Nature have reported the findings of a first-in-man trial of an antibody treatment for use against HIV, stating that it is safe and effective in reducing HIV-1 pathology and suggesting that be explored for treatment of the disease. read more
expert reaction to report on pollinators and neonicotinoids published by the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC)
The European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) has published a report into ecosystems, agriculture and neonicotinoids, reporting that neonicotinoids have detrimental effects on pollinators and biodiversity. read more
expert reaction to study linking household bleach and infection rates in children
A new study has investigated a potential link between the use of household bleach and rates of infection and respiratory problems in children. read more
expert reaction to study investigating sedentary time and risk of developing diabetes
A paper published in the journal Diabetologia has examined the effect of sedentary time on diabetes risk. The authors, from the University of Pittsburgh, used observational data from over 3,000 participants and report a link between increased television watching and an increased risk of developing diabetes. read more
expert reaction to study investigating fruit and vegetables, pesticides and semen quality
A study published in the journal Human Reproduction has examined a potential link between consumption of fruit and vegetables containing pesticide residues and semen quality. The authors suggest that the consumption of high levels of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables is associated with a lower overall sperm count and lower percentage of morphologically normal sperm among men visiting a fertility clinic. read more
expert reaction to study on e-cigarette use by teenagers
A new study in the journal BMC Public Health surveyed over 16,000 14-17 year-olds in North West England and asked participants about their alcohol and tobacco-related behaviors. The authors report that one in five had used e-cigarettes, and that they observed a link between alcohol consumption and the likelihood of e-cigarette access. read more
expert reaction to MenB vaccine deal and its addition to the national childhood immunisation programme
The UK will soon become the first in the world to vaccinate children against mengingococcal B (MenB) after the Government and GSK announced a deal last week. read more
expert reaction to UK Ebola patient leaving hospital, and the experimental drug MIL 77
A UK military healthcare worker has today been discharged from the Royal Free hospital and declared free of Ebola after being the first person in the world to be treated using the experimental drug MIL 77. read more
expert reaction to mental state of A320 crash co-pilot
Reports in the media have been speculating as to the mental state of the co-pilot who was flying the A320 plane which crashed in the French Alps. read more
letter to Francis Maude regarding changes to the Civil Service Code
Writing to the minister for the Cabinet Office today, the SMC, Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) and Stempra have … read more
expert reaction to new research on Antarctic ice loss
A paper published in the journal Science has reported that the rate of loss of ice shelves, which hold back ice sheet flow, in the Antarctic has accelerated since 1994. read more
expert reaction to new study investigating antibiotics prescribed to pregnant women and incidence of cerebral palsy and epilepsy in babies
Researchers publishing in the journal PLOS ONE have investigated a potential link between use of antibiotics during pregnancy, and cerebral palsy and epilepsy in offspring. A link has been suggested previously, and the authors suggest that it is macrolide antibiotics which are associated with these illnesses. read more
antibiotics prescribed to pregnant women and incidence of cerebral palsy and epilepsy in babies
Researchers publishing in the journal PLOS ONE have investigated a potential link between use of antibiotics during pregnancy, and cerebral palsy and epilepsy in offspring. A link has been suggested previously, and the authors suggest that it is macrolide antibiotics which are associated with these illnesses. read more
expert reaction to study on antibiotic use and type 2 diabetes
A study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology has examined what effect the use of antibiotics might have on the incidence of diabetes. The authors report that in a UK cohort of patients, treatment with one course of antibiotics didn’t significantly alter risk of developing diabetes, but use of more than one course of specific antibiotics was associated with an increased incidence of developing type 2 diabetes. read more
expert reaction to World Cancer Research Fund report on alcohol consumption and liver cancer
The World Cancer Research Fund has published a report into diet, nutrition, physical activity, and their association with liver cancer. The report states that there is strong evidence that consumption of more than three alcoholic drinks per day, or having a BMI higher than recommended, can contribute to liver cancer. read more
expert reaction to two papers on air pollution and stroke/anxiety
Two papers have been published in The BMJ regarding the effects of air pollution on cases of stroke and symptoms of anxiety, with the research groups reporting an association between higher levels of air pollution and both illnesses. read more
expert reaction to Airbus A320 crash in French Alps
A Germanwings Airbus A320 airline has crashed in the French Alps while travelling between Barcelona and Duesseldorf. read more
very sick children: treatment at any cost?
Doctors dealing with end of life care for children and young people will be issued with new guidance by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), setting out when it can be considered no longer in the best interests of the child to prolong life at all costs. In the 10 years since the last version of the guidance was published, babies born at 22-25 weeks have better chances of survival and palliative care for children has become more widely available. But for some newborns, or children who have suffered serious infectious disease or catastrophic injury, very difficult decisions need to be taken by medics about how to act in that child’s best interests. read more
expert reaction to carcinogenicity classification of five pesticides by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified five pesticides as either probably or possible carcinogenic to humans. read more