Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to news that the use of e-cigarettes will be banned from Scottish hospital grounds
The use of electronic cigarettes is to be banned in almost all hospital grounds in Scotland, with NHS boards implementing the measures alongside their requirement to become “smoke-free” by April 2015. read more
expert reaction to UK health worker being flown back to the UK for monitoring for Ebola after potential exposure to the virus
A British healthcare worker has been flown back to the UK for assessment and monitoring following potential exposure to the Ebola virus, though they have not yet developed any symptoms. read more
evidence on standardised packing of tobacco products
The English government intends to put regulations on standardised packaging of tobacco products to a vote before the general election in May 2015. If the vote is passed, England will be the second country in the world to mandate standardised packaging, following Australia’s example. The evidence base for standardised packaging is growing, and the scientific journal Addiction has played a key role in that growth. In the lead-up to the vote, Addiction is publishing a collection of peer-reviewed research papers and commentaries from 2008 to 2015 that bring together key parts of the evidence base for standardised packaging. read more
expert reaction to study associating hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with increased risk of ovarian cancer
Researchers publishing in The Lancet have conducted a meta-analysis of 52 studies with the aim of evaluating a possible link between the use of hormone replacement therapy and ovarian cancer. They report that there was an increased risk of ovarian cancer in those who used hormone replacement therapy, and that this declined after its use ceased. read more
expert reaction to BMJ investigation into sugar, industry and public health
The BMJ has published the results of its investigation into public health scientists and the sugar industry. read more
expert reaction to two studies on genes, obesity and fat distribution
Two papers published in the journal Nature have reported the importance of several regions in the human genome as being important in the distribution of fat in the body, as well as for obesity. These include genes involved in metabolism and the nervous system, and the researchers suggest that these might be useful in the future as a focus for targeting disease. read more
expert reaction to unemployment linked with deaths by suicide
A study published in the The Lancet Psychiatry journal has looked at trends in suicide around the world, and a unemployment rates. The research team analysed data from 2000-2011 and report that overall suicide rates fell, and that suicides associated with unemployment generally were higher than for those associated with the recent economic downturn. read more
expert reaction to study on health effects of alcohol across different age groups
A paper published in the BMJ has examined the effect of alcohol on the health of various age groups. They analysed mortality and report that previously beneficial effects of alcohol may be strongest in women of over 65. read more
health effects of alcohol across different age groups
A paper published in the BMJ has examined the effect of alcohol on the health of various age groups. They analysed mortality and report that previously beneficial effects of alcohol may be strongest in women of over 65. read more
expert reaction to two new reports on geoengineering to be published by the National Research Council (US)
The National Research Council in the US has published two reports on the subject of geoengineering to counter the effects of climate change. The reports focus on the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as well as the reflection of sunlight. read more
National Academies’ pre-election statement on research and innovation
While research and innovation may not be central to the political parties’ election campaigns, it will help answer the issues they will be asked about on the doorstep – such as improving health, creating jobs and producing more sustainable energy. UK researchers address major national and global challenges – from economic recovery to climate change, from security to ageing. To that end, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society, have published a statement outlining what the new government will need to do to secure the UK’s position as a world-leader in research. read more
expert reaction to study looking at historic UK and US dietary advice on fats
Researchers have published a review in the journal Open Heart, into the evidence around dietary fat, cholesterol and coronary heart disease published before 1983. They conclude that based on the studies which they analysed, dietary recommendations which were introduced in the UK in 1983 were not supported by the evidence. read more
expert reaction to flu vaccine having showed low effectiveness against the main circulating strain seen so far this season
Public Health England has announced that the current flu vaccine has low effectiveness against the main strain of flu which is currently circulating. Due to the time taken to produce enough vaccine stocks, decisions on which flu strains are included in the vaccine each year are made months in advance of the flu season. read more
expert reaction to reports that UK nurse Pauline Cafferkey may have contracted Ebola due to wearing a visor rather than goggles
A report by the Charity Save the Children into the British healthcare worker who contracted the Ebola virus while working in Sierra Leone, has concluded that it is likely that she caught the virus while wearing a visor instead of goggles while treating patients. read more
expert reaction to case of H7 avian flu being confirmed in chickens at a farm in Hampshire
A chicken farm in Hampshire has had the presence of bird flu confirmed, though it is a “low severity” H7 strain which is less serious than the H5N8 strain which was found at a farm in Yorkshire in November 2014. read more
expert reaction to Commons vote on mitochondrial donation
MPs in the House of Commons have today voted in favour of regulations for mitochondrial donation techniques, which aim to prevent the passing on of diseases which are caused by faulty mitochondria. read more
expert reaction to clinical trial of brincidofovir, an experimental Ebola treatment, being stopped
An experimental Ebola treatment being trialled in Liberia has been halted, because the number of cases in the country has fallen so low that a clear result is unlikely. read more
expert encounter: in conversation with Professor Anne Glover CBE FRSE FASM
Professor Anne Glover has become something of a cause célèbre since a campaign by NGOs to oust her as CSA to the President of the European Commission hit the headlines and was followed just months later by the apparent abolition of the post. But Prof. Glover has many supporters, with 100s of leading scientists from around Europe wading in to champion her record and argue the need for the continuation of the role. Throughout this time Anne has remained silent about the row and not spoken to the media. Now however as she packs her bags to leave Brussels, Anne agreed to come to the SMC to talk to science journalists and reflect on her achievements, disappointments and hopes for the future of scientific advice in Europe. read more
the ethics of ‘big data’ – Nuffield Council on Bioethics report launch
We are generating more data about people’s health and biology, from more sources, than ever before, including from GP records (e.g. care.data), hospital notes, laboratory tests, clinical trials, monitoring devices and health apps. Advances in information technology and data science mean that it is becoming easier, cheaper and more valuable to gather, transfer, link, store and analyse these data. read more
expert reaction to UK military healthcare worker being flown back to Royal Free Hospital for monitoring for Ebola after needlestick injury while treating Ebola patient
A patient has been admitted to the Royal Free Hospital in London for assessment following exposure to the Ebola virus through a needlestick injury in Sierra Leone. read more