Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to letter about randomised control trials for Ebola treatments
A group of experts have signed a letter in the Lancet calling for an alternative to randomised control trials to be used when testing treatments for Ebola. read more
expert reaction to new report on antimicrobial resistance (ESPAUR)
Public Health England has published a report on the prescription of antibiotics in England, and levels of antimicrobial resistance. Data are available for the regions of England, allowing comparison of prescription procedures and health outcomes. read more
expert reaction to announcement that there will be enhanced screening of passengers arriving from Ebola-infected countries to the UK
The government has announced that passengers travelling from countries affected by Ebola and arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick and Eurostar terminals will be subjected to “enhanced screening”, through questions about their health and possible medical assessments. read more
expert reaction to new paper investigating potential treatment for type 1 diabetes using human embryonic stem cells
A study published in the journal Cell has described the production of human pancreatic beta cells from stem cells. These cells are functional in vitro and in vivo when transplanted into mice, raising the possibility that they may in future be used to treat type 1 diabetes. read more
expert reaction to the University of Glasgow’s decision to divest from fossil fuels
The University of Glasgow has announced that it will divest over the next decade from companies producing fossil fuels. read more
expert reaction to Lego’s decision to end its partnership with Shell
The toy maker Lego will not be renewing its marketing contract with the energy company Shell, following a campaign from Greenpeace. read more
expert reaction to mitochondrial DNA mutations and longevity in mice
Researchers have published in the journal Scientific Reports their findings that mutations in mitochondrial DNA can reduce lifespan in mice. read more
expert reaction to Nick Clegg’s mental health waiting targets
The deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, has announced funding for the establishment of waiting time targets for patients suffering from mental health problems. read more
dietary fat and health
Strong claims have been made about our diets in 2014. While sugar has been demonised by some as the new tobacco, fat has been celebrated as ‘not bad for us after all’. With an obesity crisis showing no sign of decline, it’s more important than ever that we know the truth about fat. read more
expert reaction to reports in the media of the first case of Ebola contracted outside of West Africa
The first case of a person contracting Ebola outside of West Africa has been reported, in a Spanish nurse who had been treating two missionaries who had been flown home from the region and later died of the disease. read more
bisphenol-A and children’s lung function
Researchers have published a paper in Jama Pediatrics suggesting a link between exposure to bisphenol-A and asthma symptoms in children. read more
expert reaction to new study on bisphenol-A and children’s lung function
Researchers have published a paper in Jama Pediatrics suggesting a link between exposure to bisphenol-A and asthma symptoms in children. read more
Prof John O’Keefe, winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine
Prof John O’Keefe, Director of the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits & Behaviour at UCL, was the joint winner of the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine along with May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. read more
expert reaction to 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine being awarded to Prof John O’Keefe
The Nobel Prize in Physiology of Medicine for 2014 has been awarded to Professor John O’Keefe of UCL’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, jointly with Professor May-Britt Moser and Professor Edvard Moser at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. read more
expert reaction to alcohol consumption and HPV infections in men
A study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections has reported a link between high alcohol intake and an increased risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection infection in men in the US. read more
expert reaction to alcohol consumption and sperm and semen quality
A paper on the effect of alcohol consumption and aspects of fertility has been published in the BMJ Open. The researchers found that sperm levels and quality were particularly reduced in men consuming above the recommended guidelines for intake of alcohol. read more
expert reaction to media coverage questioning whether Ebola could become airborne
Media coverage around the continuing Ebola outbreak has questioned whether or not the virus could in future change its mode of transmission to become airborne, though this is thought to be unlikely. read more
expert reaction to NICE recommendation for nalmefene to help people reduce their dependence on alcohol
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has given final draft guidance for the use of the drug nalmefene as a treatment for people with alcohol dependence. read more
expert reaction to Home Office investigations into animal welfare standards following BUAV infiltrations
The Home Office has published reports on investigations into compliance with animal welfare regulations at three facilities. Inquiries were launched after BUAV infiltrations at Imperial College London, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and separate issues at Harlan Laboratories. read more
expert reaction to midlife personality and Alzheimer’s
Researchers have published a study in the journal Neurology, suggesting a link between levels of stress in women and development of Alzheimer’s in later life. read more