Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to dog cloning
Korean company Sooam Biotech produced the UK’s first cloned dog for the winner of a competition. read more
expert reaction to proposed removal of practical aspects of science examinations
The exam regulator Ofqual ruled that science experiments will no longer count towards final A-level grades. read more
paying heroin addicts to be vaccinated
Around ¼ million people in the UK are injecting drug users and it is estimated that 50 – 60,000 of them are infected with hepatitis B (HBV), which can cause liver cancer or cirrhosis in chronic carriers of the virus. Researchers, publishing in The Lancet, have been assessing the benefit of paying heroin addicts to be vaccinated for HBV. read more
expert reaction to new research into painkillers and risk of irregular heartbeat in older adults
A large observational study in the journal BMJ Open found current and recent use of painkillers may be linked to a heightened risk of an irregular heartbeat among older adults. read more
expert reaction to glucosamine supplementation and life span in nematode worms and mice
A study published in Nature Communications found the widely used dietary supplement D-glucosamine, taken by patients with arthritis, extends the life of nematode worms and of ageing mice.
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expert reaction to Princess Anne’s comments on gassing badgers
Princess Anne is reported to have told the BBC’s Countryfile programme that gassing badgers is “the most humane way” to control their numbers. read more
expert reaction to high levels of air pollution in England
The Southeast of England has continued to experience high levels of air pollution. read more
expert reaction to Owen Paterson statement on badger culls and bovine TB eradication
In response to an Independent Expert Panel’s report on controlling bovine TB through badger culling, Environment Minister Owen Paterson announced the culls in Gloucestershire and Somerset culls would be continued over two more years with badger vaccination implemented around edges of infected areas, but no new culls would be started. read more
expert reaction to Government announcement on plain cigarette packaging
Following publication of the Chantler Review* the Government announced it will move ahead with standardised plain packaging for cigarettes. read more
using ketamine for depression
In the search for new treatments for depression the spotlight has fallen on the class B drug ketamine. Experts came to the SMC to talk about the first UK research which investigates its safety and efficacy in a small trial and the implications of their findings. read more
expert reaction to Chile earthquake
A 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Chile. read more
ALSPAC – smoking dads and fat sons
We hear a lot about effects on children of the experiences and choices made by their pregnant mothers – but what about their dads? A new study published in the European Journal of Human Genetics investigates links between smoking in boys and men, and BMI and fat mass of their children. read more
expert reaction to smoking in boys and fatness in their future sons
A new study published in the European Journal of Human Genetics investigated links between smoking in boys and men, and BMI and fat mass of their children. A press briefing was held to present the findings of the study. read more
expert reaction to high levels of air pollution in England
Defra has issued warnings about high levels of air pollution in the southern half of England which are a combination of local and European emissions and dust from the Sahara. read more
expert reaction to Ebola virus outbreak in Guinea
Further comments on the outbreak. read more
media debates on science: delicately balanced
I have done my fair share of whinging about ‘false balance’ in science reporting where producers and editors feel the … read more
fruit and veg consumption and mortality
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
suggested eating at least seven daily portions of fruit and vegetables may confer the best chance of staving off life-threatening diseases. read more
expert reaction to new study into fruit and veg consumption and mortality
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
suggested eating at least seven daily portions of fruit and vegetables may confer the best chance of staving off life-threatening diseases. An accompanying editorial suggested the UK’s current recommendation of five daily portions may require review. read more
expert reaction to IPCC AR5 WG2
Working Group 2 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released their assessment of the effects of climate change on our planet, including an assessment of how mitigation and adaptation could help the world respond to future climate effects. read more
expert reaction to TB in cats and cat-to-human TB transmission
Nine cases of M. bovis infection, which causes bovine TB in cattle, were identified in domestic cats in Berkshire and Hampshire by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) and Public Health England (PHE) during 2013. Two people were found to have developed TB after contact with a domestic cat while two cases of latent TB were also identified. read more