Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
expert reaction to news about abolition of post of CSA to European Commission
The role of chief scientific advisor to the president of the European Commission has been scrapped. Anne Glover was the first holder of the post which was based within the Bureau of European Policy Advisers, a body which will cease to exist. read more
expert reaction to recall of 22,000 dental patients following dentist malpractice
Thousands of dental patients of a Nottinghamshire dentist have been called for tests following concerns over infection control, although the risk of infection is thought to be low. read more
expert reaction to the comet landing mission
The European Space Agency is attempting to land a spacecraft, Philae, on the surface of a comet. A successful landing would be a first for space exploration. read more
The future of gas
The UK Energy Research Centre is publishing a new report on the use of gas as a bridge to a low-carbon future. In ‘Gas by Design’, researchers examine the future role of gas in our energy mix if we are to prevent global temperatures from rising above 2C by 2100, and how much longer we can keep burning gas without widespread use of carbon capture. read more
Hepatitis E – what is it and how do we get it?
Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus, and leads to jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever, as well as more serious complications in certain groups. It was previously thought to be a problem only in the developing world, where infection occurs via contaminated drinking water. However, more recent research suggests it may be contracted in the UK and other European countries by eating under-cooked pork or by receiving transfusions of infected blood. read more
expert reaction to research on the hypothetical release of a greenhouse gas to mitigate a future volcanic eruption
A paper published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters has examined the potential for emission of short-lived greenhouse gases to be used to counteract the effect of future volcanic eruptions. The authors look at the possible effects on a regional and larger scale, and also at practical, financial and ethical questions. read more
expert reaction to the government’s National Pollinator Strategy
The government has announced a national strategy with the aim of supporting pollinators such as bees in their fertilisation of plants and crops. read more
expert reaction to type 2 diabetes drug showing neuroprotective effects in mice
A study published in the journal Neuropharmacology has looked at the effects of drugs currently used to treat type 2 diabetes on brain function in mice, particularly with respect to Alzheimer’s disease, finding that both may be potential treatments. read more
expert reaction to height and dementia risk
Researchers publishing in the The British Journal of Psychiatry have reported a link between a person’s height and their likelihood of developing dementia, especially in males. read more
expert reaction to the IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the UN has released its fifth assessment report on the current scientific knowledge around climate change. read more