Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to thymus grown in mice from lab-created cells
A study in Nature Cell Biology reported the reprogramming and transplant of cells to grow a thymus in mice. read more
expert reaction to eruption of Bárðarbunga volcano
A small eruption under an ice cap began at the Bárðarbunga volcano, following numerous earthquakes in the region. read more
expert reaction to British man contracting Ebola
A 29 year old British man contracted Ebola after working as a volunteer nurse in Sierra Leone. read more
expert reaction to seismic activity in Bárðarbunga volcano
Further expert reaction to the detection of seismic activity in Bárðarbunga, a large sub-glacial volcano in Iceland. read more
expert reaction to new research on ocean heat sinks and global average temperatures
A report in the journal Science investigated a link between a hiatus in global average surface temperatures and heat storage within oceans. read more
expert reaction to the news that the two US Ebola patients have been discharged from hospital
Two people infected with Ebola in Liberia have been discharged from hospital after being treated in the US. read more
expert reaction to seismic activity in Bárðarbunga volcano
Further expert reaction to the detection of seismic activity in Bárðarbunga, a large sub-glacial volcano in Iceland. read more
expert reaction to World View on the supply of experimental Ebola drugs
A report in the journal Nature discussed the difficulties in estimating the number of people affected by the recent outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, and also in providing them with treatment. read more
expert reaction to seismic activity in Bárðarbunga volcano
Further expert reaction to the detection of seismic activity in Bárðarbunga, a large sub-glacial volcano in Iceland. read more
antibiotics and risk of cardiac deaths
A paper in the British Medical Journal reported an association between use of the antibiotic clarithromycin and a small increased risk of cardiac deaths. The authors suggest that more research should be carried out before changing prescription practices. read more
expert reaction to study investigating two antibiotics and risk of cardiac deaths
A paper in the British Medical Journal reported an association between use of the antibiotic clarithromycin and a small increased risk of cardiac deaths. The authors suggest that more research should be carried out before changing prescription practices. read more
expert reaction to seismic activity in Bárðarbunga volcano
Seismic activity was detected in Bárðarbunga, a large sub-glacial volcano in Iceland. read more
expert reaction to PHE investigation of Salmonella outbreak
Public Health England (PHE) announced an investigation into a outbreak in over 150 people of a type of Salmonella Enteritidis. read more
expert reaction to disruption of gut bacteria in early life and obesity in adulthood in mice
A mouse study in the journal Cell reported that certain microbes in the gut shape metabolism very early in life and … read more
radiation dose from CT scans
The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) published its report investigating the impact of the increased use of CT scans in the UK. read more
expert reaction to paper examining how Ebola virus disables immune response
Researchers publishing in the journal Cell Host & Microbe reported that the Ebola protein VP24 disrupts a cell’s innate immune response, a first step towards causing the disease. read more
expert reaction to stem cells in pilot stroke study
Results of a five-patient pilot study of a stem cell therapy for stroke were published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine. read more
expert reaction to WHO decision that current Ebola outbreak is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Emergency Committee declared that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa meets the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). read more
expert reaction to study looking at type 2 diabetes, metformin and lifespan
Researchers publishing in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism investigated lifespan in patients with type 2 diabetes prescribed with metformin with patients prescribed with another common diabetes drug called sulphonylurea. read more
expert reaction to neurons derived from human skin stem cells being regrown in rats with spinal cord injuries
A paper in Neuron reported that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from skin cells taken from an 86-year-old man were grafted into rats with spinal cord injuries, leading to regrowth of neurons. read more