Author Archives: Science Media Centre
in defence of (some) PR
This is a guest post by Ed Sykes, Senior Press Manager and Head of Mental Health & Neuroscience, and Chair … read more
expert reaction to prostate cancer screening trial
Authors publishing in The Lancet reported screening for prostate cancer could reduce deaths from the disease by about a fifth, but suggested that routine screening programmes should not be introduced due to remaining doubts over whether the benefits of screening outweigh the harm. read more
expert reaction to vitamin D and dementia
In a large study published in Neurology researchers measured blood levels of vitamin D in older people and reported that not getting enough vitamin D was associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. read more
expert reaction to WHO convening ethical review of experimental treatment for Ebola
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced they will convene a panel of medical ethicists to explore the use of experimental treatment in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa. read more
expert reaction to fatty acids and type 2 diabetes risk
A large study in The Lancet reported that saturated fatty acids can be associated with both an increased and decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, depending on the type of fatty acids present in the blood. read more
aspirin and cancer: should we be taking a pill every day?
Recent work suggests that daily doses of aspirin may help to reduce cancer, however, using drugs prophylactically is often controversial. Two authors of a paper assessing systematic reviews of 25 harmful effects of aspirin came to the SMC. read more
expert reaction to news reports on treatments for Ebola
News outlets have reported on experimental treatments for Ebola given to two American doctors who contracted the disease. read more
expert reaction to decision not to retract two BMJ articles on statins
An independent panel decided the BMJ did not need to retract two articles on statins – one opinion piece and one analysis – both of which made claims about side effects which were subsequently withdrawn. read more
expert reaction to the oral contraceptive and breast cancer
A study in Cancer Research reported that women who recently used birth control pills containing high-dose estrogen and some, but not all, other formulations had an increased risk for breast cancer. read more
Genomics England: 100,000 genomes project
A background briefing on the 100,000 genomes project being held to coincide with a number of big investment announcements being made by government and other funders on the same day. read more
expert reaction to Norman Baker’s comments on animal research
BBC News reported that Norman Baker said he wants to see an end to animal testing in the UK. read more
expert reaction to Ebola virus outbreak
Concern over the largest Ebola outbreak in history has increased, prompting Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond to convene COBRA. read more
expert reaction to alcohol, memory and dementia
A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry reported a correlation between middle-aged adults having a history of problem drinking and severe memory impairment in later life. read more
expert reaction to Energy and Climate Change Committee report on IPCC
The Energy and Climate Change Committee published a report on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report, reviewing Working Group I. read more
expert reaction to exclusive in the Independent on mitochondrial DNA replacement babies
Experts responded to an exclusive in the Independent on mitochondrial DNA replacement accusing the Government of the dishonesty over regulation of the process. read more
expert reaction to shift work and type 2 diabetes, as published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine
A study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine reported that shift work was linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with men reported to be at heightened risk. read more
expert reaction to study reporting that monkeys near Fukushima, Japan have lower blood cell counts
A study published in Scientific Reports reported that wild Japanese monkeys inhabiting the forest area of Fukushima City have lower blood cell counts than monkeys from North Japan read more
expert reaction to DECC biomass calculator
The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) have launched a scientific calculator that investigates the impact on carbon emissions of biomass sourced from North America to produce electricity. read more
expert reaction to new report from the Science and Technology Committee on vCJD and UK blood safety
The Commons Science and Technology Committee published a report saying more action is needed to ensure that variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is not inadvertently transmitted from person-to-person through medical procedures. read more
expert reaction to Government response to consultation on draft regulations for mitochondrial DNA replacement therapy
The Government responded to a public consultation on draft regulations for legalising new techniques for mitochondrial DNA replacement therapy, announcing that plans to change the regulations will progress. read more