Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study on UV addiction in mice
A study published in the journal Cell reported that rats released endorphins when chronically exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leading to physical dependence, tolerance, and addiction-like behaviour. read more
expert reaction to two papers on antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Two papers published in Nature reported discovery of an ‘Achilles’ heel’ in defensive barrier which surrounds drug-resistant bacterial cells. read more
expert reaction to study of media coverage of antidepressants and suicide
A study published in the BMJ claimed that media coverage of safety warnings about suicide risk from antidepressant use affected people’s behaviour and coincided with simultaneous increases in suicide attempts among young people. read more
expert reaction to paper and editorial on breast cancer screening and mortality
A study published in the BMJ reported that inviting women for mammography screening may reduce breast cancer deaths by up to 28%. An accompanying editorial highlighted the need for greater patient understanding of possible harms, as well as benefits, of mammograms. read more
expert reaction to WHO statement on the Sixth Meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV
The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a statement following the Sixth Meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee about the ongoing situation with MERS-CoV in the Middle East read more
expert reaction to case of Legionnaires’ disease in a baby born in a specific type of birthing pool
Public Health England reported a case of Legionnaires’ disease in a baby that had been born in a specific type of home birthing pool, with built-in heaters and recirculation pumps, potentially filled up to two weeks in advance of the birth read more
expert reaction to Prof Colin Blakemore being made a Knight Bachelor in the Queen’s Birthday Honours
It was announced that Professor Colin Blakemore had been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. read more
expert reaction to EU ruling on GM crops
EU environment ministers came to a deal to allow nation stated to authorize growing of genetically modified crops, pending approval by the European Parliament. read more
expert reaction to pandemic potential of circulating influenza viruses
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe shows that circulating bird flu viruses are very similar to the flu virus that caused the 1918 pandemic—the most devastating disease outbreak ever recorded. read more
expert reaction to red meat intake and breast cancer incidence
An epidemiological study in the BMJ reported higher red meat intake in early adulthood might be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. read more
expert reaction to new study on GM mosquitoes which produce male-only offspring
Nature Communications published a study showing that genetically modifying mosquitos to distort the sex ratio of their offspring suppressed their breeding capabilities as a population. read more
expert reaction to mobile phones and sperm quality
A systematic review and meta-analysis of ten studies published in Environment International, comprising controlled in vitro and observational in vivo studies, reported lower sperm motility and viability for men carrying a mobile phone in their trouser pocket read more
expert reaction to cost of autism
JAMA Pediatrics published a literature review of US and UK studies on patients with autism spectrum disorders in 2013 to examine costs and economic impact, reporting that lifetime costs for supporting patients was substantially higher than previous estimates. read more
expert reaction to divorce and childhood obesity
Research published in the journal BMJ Open reported a correlation between divorce and a higher risk of overweight and obesity among children affected by the marital split, in particular for boys, in a sample of pupils from Norway. read more
expert reaction to blood poisoning in babies from Bacillus cereus infection
One premature baby has died and 14 are ill with blood poisoning in six hospitals after apparently being given a batch of liquid food contaminated with Bacillus cereus. read more
expert reaction to reported camel-to-human MERS-CoV transmission
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) viruses found in … read more
expert encounter: Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of the GAVI Alliance
Dr Seth Berkley, epidemiologist and CEO of the GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) made a brief visit to the UK to share his insights into how vaccines are changing the worldwide public health landscape. One of the most important figures in vaccine technology and delivery came to the SMC to talk to journalists. read more
expert reaction to the latest figures on MERS fatalities
Saudi Arabian authorities upped the official number of people confirmed to have been killed by the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) virus to 282. read more
expert reaction to HFEA’s third scientific review into safety and efficacy of mitochondria replacement
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) was asked by government to reconvene its core panel of experts to review the latest evidence on the safety and efficacy of mitochondrial donation techniques, recommending that they be considered ‘not unsafe’ for use on a ‘specific and defined group of patients’. read more
results of the HFEA’s third scientific review into the safety and efficacy of mitochondria replacement
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) was asked by government to reconvene its core panel of experts to review the latest evidence on the safety and efficacy of the two mitochondrial donation techniques: pro-nuclear transfer (PNT) and maternal spindle transfer (MST). The authors of the report came to the SMC to talk about the safety and efficacy of mitochondrial replacement. read more