Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to reversing common form of autism in mice
A study published in the journal Cell Reports has suggested that increased levels of a specific protein can lead to outcomes which are similar to those seen in fragile X syndrome (FXS). FXS is a genetic cause of autism, and the paper reports that the levels of the protein in question can be controlled by modification of a second protein. read more
expert reaction to the publishing of the Food Standards Agency’s retail survey on levels of Campylobacter on chicken
The Food Standards Agency has released figures on the levels of Campylobacter present on supermarket poultry. Campylobacter is the most common form of food poisoning in the UK. read more
expert reaction to report on coffee consumption and Alzheimer’s risk
A report by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee has explored the link between Alzheimer’s disease and coffee consumption, suggesting that coffee may have a protective effect. read more
expert reaction to the Royal Society’s new report: Resilience to extreme weather
The Royal Society has released a report examining global resilience to extreme weather, reflecting on the current and future climate, as well as changes in demographics. The report looks at the impact of weather events and what might be done to mitigate their effects, including by using engineering approaches. read more
expert reaction to preliminary results from phase I trial of chimpanzee adenovirus vector Ebola vaccine (cAd3-EBO)
Researchers writing in the New England Journal of Medicine have discussed their finding from a phase I clinical trial using an Ebola vaccine derived from a chimpanzee adenovirus. The trial used twenty healthy adults, and the research group report no safety concerns. read more
expert reaction to study reporting proton transport through graphene
Researchers publishing in the journal Nature have described the transport of protons through monolayers of graphene, a material which is made up of carbon which is one atom thick. read more
geoengineering: can it help combat climate change?
The first UK funded research projects on geoengineering are about to finish. The principal investigators from each project came to the SMC to discuss the conclusions of their work and whether they see a place for geoengineering in a warming world. read more
expert reaction to review of reported link between early life exposure to paracetamol and asthma
A paper published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal has reviewed the literature around the exposure to paracetamol prenatally and in infancy, and incidence of childhood asthma. They report that although the studies in question found a link, they tended to be variable and did not fully account for confounding factors. read more
expert reaction to research suggesting the same regions in brain are vulnerable to Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia
A paper published in the journal PNAS has reported their findings that the pattern of brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease is similar, though the former usually develops earlier in life, and the latter is associated with ageing. read more
expert reaction to research on Antarctic sea ice
Researchers have published in the journal Nature Geoscience their efforts to map the thickness of sea ice in the Antarctic using an autonomous underwater vehicle. The team provide new estimates for characteristics of the Antarctic sea ice, and suggest that it may in fact be thicker than previous estimates proposed. read more
the future of autonomous vehicles
A new report from the Institution of Engineering and Technology has examined the future of automated transport. A group of experts came to the SMC to discuss what can we expect from the cars of the future and what is just around the corner including automated parking, benefits for older drivers wanting to drive for longer, and automated driving in a traffic jam. How close are we to truly driverless cars? How do we address the cybersecurity issues that a computerised moving vehicle brings? And who would be liable in an accident? read more
I don’t want our scientists beige
I was one of those who was more upset by seeing Matt Taylor reduced to tears at a press conference … read more
expert reaction to Mark Walport’s evidence to parliament on GM and the precautionary principle
The government’s chief scientific adviser Professor Sir Mark Walport has given evidence to the House of Common’s Science and Technology Select Committee regarding the use of the precautionary principle in regulations surrounding genetically modified organisms. read more
expert reaction to identification of bird flu on Yorkshire duck farm as H5N8
The strain responsible for the outbreak of avian flu on a duck farm in Yorkshire has been identified as H5N8. read more
food safety: Laboratory of the Government Chemist conference
Food fraud was in the spotlight last year during the horsemeat scandal, and food safety has been brought to the fore again recently following the detection of campylobacter in some supermarket chickens. The Laboratory of the Government Chemist, a company that carries out food testing and analysis, will be having their annual conference later in November. Ahead of this conference a number of the speakers came to the SMC to talk to journalists about various aspects of food safety, food testing, food fraud, supplements and food authenticity read more
expert reaction to identification of membrane protein alteration and cardiovascular disease
A paper published in the International Union of Crystallography journal has reported an association between heart disease and a mutation in a cell membrane protein. read more
expert reaction to new study on triclosan and tumours in mice
A study published in the journal PNAS has examined the effects of the antimicrobial triclosan in mice. The authors report an association between triclosan use and tumour prevalence. read more
triclosan and tumours in mice
A study published in the journal PNAS has examined the effects of the antimicrobial triclosan in mice. The authors report an association between triclosan use and tumour prevalence. read more
expert reaction to detection of case of bird flu at a Yorkshire duck farm
A case of bird flu, though not the H5N1 strain, has been confirmed at a duck farm in Yorkshire. An exclusion zone has been set up around the farm, and a cull is taking place. read more
expert reaction to talk at conference on omega-3 supplements to delay psychosis
A talk presented at the International Early Psychosis Conference in Tokyo has reported that omega-3 supplements may delay the onset of psychosis. read more