Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study comparing the nutritional content of organic and conventional foods
A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Nutrition looked at 343 studies into compositional differences between organic and conventional crops, reporting differences including higher levels of certain anti-oxidants and lower levels of cadmium in organic crops. read more
expert reaction to alcohol intake and cardiovascular health
Research published in the BMJ reported an association between lower alcohol consumption and better cardiovascular health. read more
expert reaction to annual Home Office statistics on animal research
The Home Office published its 2013 statistics on animals used in scientific procedures as well as the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) annual report for 2013. read more
annual Home Office statistics on animal research
The Home Office published its 2013 statistics on animals used in scientific procedures as well as the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) annual report for 2013. read more
decline in population of some birds and a neonicotinoid pesticide
Nature published a study reporting a correlation between declines in farmland bird populations in the Netherlands and use of the neonicotinoid pesticide imidacloprid. read more
expert reaction to new study associating use of a neonicotinoid with decline in population of some birds
Nature published a study reporting a correlation between declines in farmland bird populations in the Netherlands and use of the neonicotinoid pesticide imidacloprid. read more
biomarkers for Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s drug trials have not been promising and one suggested reason for this is that we are spotting and treating the disease too late. A group of UK researchers, publishing in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, have been looking to see how accurate indicator proteins in people’s blood may be for predicting who is likely to develop the condition. read more
expert reaction to biomarkers for Alzheimer’s
A group of researchers publishing in Alzheimer’s & Dementia looked at how accurate indicator proteins in people’s blood may be for predicting who is likely to develop the Alzheimer’s disease. read more
expert reaction to genetics of psychiatric illnesses
Investigators reporting in the journal Cell Stem Cell describe a method that may help reveal how genetic variants that may increase risk of psychiatric disorders, but are insufficient to cause disease, interact with other risk factors or environmental exposures to affect the development of the nervous system. read more
expert reaction to new modelling paper looking at bovine TB spread and control
A paper in Nature used models to separate out the different factors contributing to the bovine TB problem, to establish the routes of transmission of different outbreaks, and to predict which of the factors would be best to address in attempt to more effectively control the spread and incidence of this disease. read more
bovine TB – a model of spread and control
Bovine tuberculosis costs the UK about £100 million per year, and despite efforts to control it, it remains a major agricultural problem. A new paper published in Nature uses models to separate out the different factors contributing to the bovine TB problem, to establish the routes of transmission of different outbreaks, and to predict which of the factors would be best to address in attempt to more effectively control the spread and incidence of this disease. read more
expert reaction to the announcement that Nature has retracted STAP cell papers
It was announced that Nature had formally retracted the article and letter on STAP cells by Obakata et al. after an in depth investigation into critical errors by the RIKEN Institute. read more
the science of statins
The row over the BMJ claims about side effects of statins and the angry response from some to NICE’s proposal to extend the drugs to people with a lower risk has led one columnist to refer to ‘The Statin Wars’. In the middle of this dispute lie the public and patients, confused about where the evidence actually lies. read more
pre–ESHRE preview press briefing
Leading fertility experts came to the SMC for a preview of the main studies being presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) annual meeting, taking place in Munich, Germany from 29th June to 2nd July. read more
the science side of the story
I’m not sure why now, but after 10 years of running weekly briefings on controversial science stories we have recently … read more
expert reaction to report on Carbohydrates and Health from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), and PHE’s proposals to reduce sugar intake
The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) launched its draft report on Carbohydrates and Health for public consultation, recommending people to consume more fibre and less free sugars. Public Health England (PHE) simultaneously released a document on how to reduce the nation’s sugar intake. read more
sugar and health – what does the evidence say?
Sugar has recently been branded as ‘toxic’, ‘addictive’ and ‘the new tobacco’. Campaigners have suggested that sugary drinks should come with obesity warnings and that a tax on sugar might be beneficial to consumers. But what does the evidence say? read more
expert reaction to republication of Séralini study on Roundup-tolerant GM maize
Environmental Sciences Europe re-published a study retracted from Food and Chemical Toxicology by Gilles-Eric Séralini which purported to show rats fed the herbicide Roundup and Roundup-tolerant GM maize developed cancerous tumours. read more
expert reaction to model of emergence of avian flu in bird populations
A study in PNAS reported an alternative model for the emergence of new strains of bird flu, looking at the immunity of bird populations rather than the ability of viruses to acquire the necessary mutations. read more
expert reaction to autism and pesticides
A study in Environmental Health Perspectives reported pregnant women living near farms that apply pesticides had an increased risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder. read more