Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to editorial on saturated fats
In an editorial for the journal Open Heart Dr James DiNicolantonio argued that diets low in saturated fat don’t curb heart disease risk or help you live longer. read more
expert reaction to new WHO sugars guideline to undergo public consultation
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a public consultation on its draft guideline on sugars intake, which aims to reduce public health problems like obesity and dental caries. read more
expert encounter – Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC
The UN’s top climate official, Christiana Figueres, came to London to meet with business leaders about agreeing a new and universal climate agreement by COP-21 in Paris, December 2015. She came to the SMC to meet journalists in advance of the next part of IPCC AR5. read more
expert reaction to how addictive sugar is, following news reports of comments by Dame Sally Davies
Chief medical officer for England Dame Sally Davies told a committee of MPs she believed research will find sugar is addictive. read more
expert reaction to two new studies looking at dietary protein, health and longevity
Two groups of researchers publishing in Cell Metabolism each suggest that low protein intake may be a key factor in leading a long and healthy life; one found a correlation between consuming moderate to high levels of animal protein and an increase in cancer risk and mortality in adults, while the other found that a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet led to a shorter lifespan in mice. read more
expert reaction to proposed new laws on medical records
In response to public concerns about the care.data scheme health minister Jeremy Hunt announced legislative plans including providing a legal guarantee that confidential medical data will not be sold for commercial purposes and that patients’ rights to opt-out will be respected. read more
expert reaction to BBC exclusive on badger culls in Gloucestershire and Somerset
The BBC reported that an independent scientific assessment, commissioned by the government, of the previous year’s pilot badger culls concluded that they were not effective. read more
expert reaction to Government announcement on mitochondrial DNA transfer
The Government has launched a consultation on draft regulations for the use of new techniques to prevent mothers passing on serious mitochondrial diseases to their children. read more
expert reaction to new study into BPA in urine following the handling of till receipts
A study in JAMA found participants who handled till receipts printed on thermal paper continuously for 2 hours without gloves had increased levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in their urine compared to participants who wore gloves. read more
expert reaction to new paper modelling climate engineering
A modelling study in Nature Communications suggested the implementation of climate engineering technologies as a last ditch effort to combat climate change had the potential to worsen the effects. read more
engineering a way out of the flooding
As the impact of winter flooding becomes clear, senior engineers and academics came to the SMC to talk about what engineering can (and can’t) do to prevent and reduce the impact of flooding in the UK. read more
expert reaction to paracetamol and ADHD
A preliminary study in JAMA Pediatrics found children of women who used paracetamol during pregnancy appear to be at higher risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like behavioral problems. read more
expert reaction to diet, diabetes and dementia
Research in PNAS found a potential causal link between compounds present in the Western diet and the accumulation of amyloid, a component of the plaques characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. The compounds – advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) -have been previously linked to diabetes and neurodegenerative disease. read more
expert reaction to volcanic contribution to slow surface warming
Nature Geoscience published an article showing volcanic eruptions over the past decade or so have cooled global lower-atmosphere temperatures to a statistically significant degree, which can partly explain the slowdown in temperature rise since 1998. read more
climate change and winter deaths
Nature Climate Change published research showing socio-economic and health-care conditions factors in England and Wales may be a better explanation for the decreasing numbers of winter deaths than milder winters due to climate change. read more
expert reaction to climate change and winter deaths
Nature Climate Change published research showing socio-economic and health-care conditions factors in England and Wales may be a better explanation for the decreasing numbers of winter deaths than milder winters due to climate change. read more
expert reaction to food packaging chemicals and health
Environmental scientists commenting in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health raised concerns over long term health impacts of chemicals used in the packaging, storage, and processing of foods. read more
expert reaction to news stories that NHS medical records sharing programme care.data is being delayed for 6 months
The NHS medical records sharing programme care.data has been halted for 6 months due to concern that the plans have not been properly communicated. read more
expert reaction to new study on risk factors for miscarriage
Researchers publishing in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology looked at observational data to identify the modifiable risk factors for miscarriage and to estimate the proportion which were preventable. read more
expert reaction to new study demonstrating neural prostheses in temporarily paralysed primates
A study in Nature Communications found brain implants connected between two monkeys could be used to decode brain activity from an alert monkey to produce directed movements in a temporarily paralysed monkey. read more