Author Archives: Science Media Centre
does internet use change teenage brains?
Stories about the internet destroying teenage brains are not uncommon – but what does the evidence say? Does internet use actually cause lasting changes to the brain? A new study published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Neuroscience answers these questions in a comprehensive review of current scientific evidence. read more
launch of Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones (SCAMP)
Scientists remain uncertain as to whether children’s developing brains are more vulnerable than those of adults to radio wave exposures from mobile phones. SCAMP will be the largest study in the world to date to address those uncertainties, specifically with regards to cognitive development. read more
is the use of antibiotics in farming to blame for antibiotic resistance in humans?
The Chief Medical Officer identified antibiotic resistance as one of the biggest threats to human health and the WHO have sounded the alarm globally. Some say overuse of antibiotics in farming is to blame. Three of the UK’s leading experts on farm animals came to the SMC to talk about the topic read more
expert reaction to claims climate research was ‘suppressed’
The Times reported that Professor Lennart Bengtsson, a research fellow at the University of Reading, believed his climate change paper had been rejected from the journal Environmental Research Letters due to “intolerance of dissenting views on climate science.” read more
expert reaction to the National Care of the Dying Audit of Hospitals
The National Care of the Dying Audit for Hospitals, led by the Royal College of Physicians found significant variations in care across hospitals in England, calling for major improvements to be made to ensure better care for dying people. read more
expert reaction to news that BMJ authors withdraw statements about adverse effects of statins
Authors of two articles published in The BMJ in 2013 have withdrawn statements about the adverse effects of statins. Editor-in-Chief, Dr Fiona Godlee has also asked an independent expert panel to decide whether the articles should be retracted. read more
expert reaction to antibiotic use in infants and asthma development
Research published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine reported that a possible explanation for the association between infants who receive antibiotics before their first birthday and a greater risk of developing asthma is that they could be genetically predisposed to have low immune defences read more
expert reaction to WHO statement on the current MERS-coronavirus situation
The WHO’s Emergency Committee convened concerning Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and concluded the seriousness of the situation had increased in terms of public health impact, but that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not yet been met. read more
concordat on openness on animal research
In October 2012 over 40 bioscience organisations declared that they would commit to a Concordat on Openness about animal research. Since that date they have been seeking the opinions of the public, the scientific community and journalists as to what steps need to be taken and what others feel openness means. read more
expert reaction to launch of Concordat on Openness on Animal Research
Over 70 bioscience research institutions, charities and companies signed a concordat committing to openness about their research involving animals. read more
expert reaction to endocrine disrupting chemicals and male fertility
Researchers publishing in EMBO Reports looked at the effect of various endocrine-disrupting chemicals on human sperm function reporting they may have a negative impact on fertility. read more
expert reaction to the sad news of Professor Colin Pillinger’s death
Professor Colin Pillinger, who was principal investigator for the UK’s Beagle 2 Mars lander project, died aged 70. read more
continuing expert reaction to news of possible Pfizer takeover of AstraZeneca
The story of Pfizer’s bid to take over AstraZeneca continues. read more
expert reaction to study linking over-avoidance of sun to skin cancer
Research published in the Journal of Internal Medicine reported that Swedish women who avoided sun exposure were at an increased risk of skin melanomas due to low vitamin D levels. read more
expert reaction to Coca-Cola’s decision to remove brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from drinks
Coca-Cola announced it would replace brominated vegetable oil in any of its products containing the ingredient. read more
expert reaction to news of possible Pfizer takeover of AstraZeneca
Pfizer is reported to have upped its offer for a possible takeover of AstraZeneca. read more
survey of adverse childhood experiences and health-harming behaviours
A paper published in BMC Medicine suggested a link between adverse experiences and events in childhood, and health harming behaviours as an adult. read more
expert reaction to adverse childhood events and health harming behaviours in adulthood, as published in BMC Medicine
A paper published in BMC Medicine suggested a link between adverse experiences in childhood, and health harming behaviours as an adult. read more
expert reaction to the news that the Home Office plans to abolish Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Reports said Home Office Minister Norman Baker was due to announce that Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (the “secrecy clause”) is to be abolished. read more
expert reaction to WHO’s first global report on antibiotic resistance
The first World Health Organization (WHO) report to look at the global picture of antimicrobial resistance reports that surveillance has shown resistance present in every region of the world and specifically that antibiotic resistance is now a major threat to public health. read more