Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
air pollution and health
Thanks to the additional component of Saharan dust we were all recently very aware of the pollution in the air that surrounds us. But how much is usually there, what is it made of and how does it affect our health? read more
expert reaction to antidepressants and self-harm
An observational study in JAMA Internal Medicine reported that children and young adults who start antidepressant therapy at high doses, rather than the most commonly prescribed doses, appeared to be at greater risk for suicidal behavior during the first 90 days of treatment. read more
expert reaction to news of possible Pfizer takeover of AstraZeneca
The pharmaceutical company Pfizer is reported to have been in contact with AstraZeneca regarding a possible takeover. read more
nitrogen pollution, climate and land use: why what we eat matters
A new report on nitrogen and food, to be published in May by the ‘Task Force on Reactive Nitrogen’ of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, calculates what would happen if Europe were to decrease its consumption of meat and dairy products. Some of the report’s authors came to the SMC to describe their findings. read more
mapping diseases and environmental exposure: launch of the Environment & Health Atlas
Researchers at the UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) are launching an atlas that maps health outcomes and environmental agents at neighbourhood level across England and Wales. They came to the SMC to talk about the implications of their work. read more
expert reaction to The Environment and Health Atlas for England and Wales
Researchers at the UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) launched an atlas that maps health outcomes and environmental agents … read more
coffee intake and type II diabetes
Researchers publishing in Diabetologia reviewed three large observational studies and reported that increasing coffee consumption by an average of one and half cups per day over a four-year period was associated with an 11% reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes. read more
expert reaction to identification of receptor on mouse egg cells that allows sperm cells to attach and fertilise egg
A receptor on mouse egg cells that allows sperm cells to attach to and fertilize the eggs was identified by researchers publishing in Nature. read more
expert reaction to Rothamsted omega-3 Camelina given field trial permission by Defra
Rothamsted Research has been granted permission by Defra to carry out a field trial to test whether seeds of GM Camelina plants are able to make significant quantities of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids under field conditions. read more
expert reaction to brain imaging and vegetative states
Researchers publishing in The Lancet reported using positron emission tomography (PET), a brain imaging technique, in clinical practice to determine which severely brain damaged individuals in vegetative states have the potential to recover consciousness. read more
expert reaction to cannabis and potential brain abnormalities
Researchers in the US found a correlation between casual use of cannabis and the size, shape, and structure of brain regions involved with motivation, emotion and reward in a small sample of young adults. The report was published in the Journal of Neuroscience. read more