Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to continued development of an Ebola vaccine by GSK
The pharmaceuticals company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has said that the vaccine which it is producing against Ebola is likely to be ready in late 2015, “too late” for the current outbreak. read more
expert reaction to rapid vs gradual weight loss and long-term weight management
In an article published in the The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, researchers have suggested that there is little difference in the ability of people to maintain their weight after losing weight either gradually or rapidly. read more
expert reaction to latest expert review on the science of preventing mitochondrial disease
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has issued an addendum to their report on mitochondrial donation techniques, reviewing polar body transfer (PBT). read more
expert encounter: why are young people born in the UK attracted to supporting terrorism?
As one set of parents continue to issue heartfelt pleas to their daughter to come back from Syria, politicians and community leaders struggle to understand why young people would be tempted to leave comfortable secure homes and travel to war zones to lend support to a variety of fighting groups. Few people in the UK can give answers but one academic is attempting to understand the roots of radicalisation and psychology behind it, so we may begin to take a public health approach and prevent it before it happens. read more
expert reaction to exercise and depression
Researchers studying exercise and depression have published their findings in JAMA Pediatrics that physical activity is not a predictive marker for levels of depression in teenagers. read more
expert reaction to new study on plants and CO2
A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has suggested that differences in carbon dioxide concentrations inside plants may account for errors in estimations of their capacity for carbon storage. read more
expert reaction to broccoli and autism
Researchers publishing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences have reported beneficial effects of the use of a broccoli extract on a small number of patients with autism spectrum disorder. read more
expert reaction to Jeremy Hunt’s statement on Ebola and the government’s response in the UK
The health secretary Jeremy Hunt made a statement to the House of Commons on the response of the government to the possibility of cases of Ebola within the UK, including screening the border. read more
expert reaction to research on the impact of pharmaceuticals on the environment
Researchers writing in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B have reported on the effect of discharge and build up of pharmaceutical substances in the environment, and on wildlife populations. read more
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