Author Archives: Science Media Centre
meta-analysis investigating effectiveness and side-effects of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for seasonal influenza
Researchers have published in the Lancet journal a meta-analysis of the effects of Tamiflu, reporting beneficial effects on alleviation of symptoms and risk of complications, but also on an increase in side effects such as nausea. read more
expert reaction to new meta-analysis investigating effectiveness and side-effects of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for seasonal influenza
Researchers have published in the Lancet journal a meta-analysis of the effects of Tamiflu, reporting beneficial effects on alleviation of symptoms and risk of complications, but also on an increase in side effects such as nausea. read more
expert reaction to media reports suggesting the Ebola virus may have mutated
Media reports have suggested that the Ebola virus might have mutated, based on comments from scientists at the Institut Pasteur in France. read more
expert reaction to announcement of date for House of Commons debate on mitochondrial donation
The government has announced that a debate will take place on Tuesday 3rd February in the House of Commons on the proposed regulations for mitochondrial donation techniques. read more
public perceptions of climate change after the 2014 flooding
The UK winter flooding events provided a unique scientific opportunity to test several hypotheses about the links between extreme weather experiences and climate beliefs. A new report to be launched on 29th January at the Royal Society describes the findings of a nationally representative Ipsos-Mori survey of public perceptions of climate change in Britain, particularly how they are influenced by extreme weather. read more
expert reaction to first results from safety and immunogenicity trial of chimpanzee adenovirus Ebola vaccine
The results of a phase I trail of a vaccine against the Ebola virus have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research group tested the virus on participants in Oxford, and reported no adverse side effects. read more
expert reaction to study estimating number of women in the UK who could benefit from mitochondrial donation
A team of researchers publishing in the New England Journal of Medicine has estimated the number of women in the UK who might be able to have access to the mitochondrial donation techniques due to be debated in parliament. read more
expert reaction to study on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and onset of menopause in women
In a paper published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers have studied the association which exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in women may have with the onset of menopause. The researchers report that high levels of 15 EDCs were associated with an earlier onset of menopause, and suggest that these EDCs warrant further attention. read more
expert reaction to study on sugary beverages and age at onset of menstruation
A paper published in the journal Human Reproduction has examined an association between intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and the age of onset of menstruation. The researchers report a younger age for those with a higher intake which they suggest is independent of BMI, but recognise that there may be confounding factors not accounted for. read more
expert reaction to whole-genome sequencing of families with autism spectrum disorder
Researchers publishing in the journal Nature Medicine have sequenced the genomes of families affected by autism, looking in each case at two affected siblings and their parents. They report a large degree of variation in the mutations found in siblings, which translated as different clinical outcomes. read more
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