Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to CBT for schizophrenia
Publishing in The Lancet, UK researchers have investigated whether Cognitive Therapy is a viable alternative to pharmaceutical therapies for schizophrenia. read more
expert reaction to a hand prosthesis equipped with artificial sensors
Science Translational Medicine published the results of a one-man clinical trial of a prosthetic hand that enabled an amputee who had lived without the sensation of touch for ten years to feel differences in the shape and stiffness of objects again. read more
expert reaction to study of first human death from new flu virus H10N8
The Lancet reported on the the world’s first confirmed death by infection with a new avian influenza A H10N8 virus of a 73-year-old Chinese woman. read more
expert reaction to climate change and deaths from temperature extremes
Research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health estimated the effect climate change could have on deaths resulting from hot or cold weather in the UK up until 2080. read more
climate change and deaths from temperature extremes
Research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health estimated the effect climate change could have on deaths resulting from hot or cold weather in the UK up until 2080. read more
expert reaction to new research into added sugar and cardiovascular disease
A study in JAMA Internal Medicine reported consumption of added sugar, found in processed and prepared foods, was associated with increased risk for death from cardiovascular disease. read more
expert reaction to Mount Sinabung eruption
Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, Indonesia, erupted multiple times killing at least 16 people. read more
expert reaction to brain immune cells and social behaviour
An animal study in Nature Neuroscience found that defects in an early developmental process in the brain were associated with alterations … read more
expert reaction to detection of radiation at Sellafield
The Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria is partially closed after unusual levels of radioactivity were detected. read more
expert reaction to oral immunotherapy for children’s peanut allergies
Results of a phase II clinical trial, published in the Lancet, suggested children with peanut allergies could benefit from a treatment in which peanut protein is consumed in increasingly larger amounts on a regular basis to build up tolerance. read more
expert reaction to new paper on the impact of imidacloprid on bees
Neonicotinoid pesticides can impact bumble bees’ ability to collect food, even at low levels, of contamination, according to research published in the journal Ecotoxicology. read more
expert reaction to Somerset flooding
Residents of Somerset have experience weeks of flooding, and debate has sprung up over whether dredging could have mitigated the extent of the damage. read more
expert reaction to two papers describing a new way to induce pluripotent stem cells in mice
Two papers in Nature described a new technique of reprogramming mouse blood cells to a pluripotent state – where the cells can differentiate into any other type of cell – by exposing them to an acidic environment. read more
solar power for CO2 mitigation
Energy from the sun is clean, free and practically limitless. Solar power represents a vast resource which could, in principle, meet the world’s needs for low-carbon power generation many times over. But how much of the world’s electricity might realistically be supplied from the sun? And how far can solar power help us to reduce carbon emissions? read more
expert reaction to DDT pesticide and Alzheimer’s disease risk
A study in JAMA Neurology found elevated blood levels of a byproduct of the banned pesticide DDT was correlated with an increased risk … read more
GM plants for omega-3 – announcement of new field trial
Rothamsted Research has applied to Defra to conduct a field trial of GM plants that produce omega-3 oils and may provide health, environmental and economic benefits. read more
expert reaction to increase in number of badger setts over 25 years
The number of badger setts is estimated to have increased by approximately 100% in England between 1985–1988 and 2011–2013 according … read more
expert reaction to EU plans for climate and emissions
The European Commission have announced new energy and climate objectives to be met by 2030, including a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990 levels) and a minimum 27% share of renewable energy consumption. read more
expert reaction to air pollution, heart attacks and angina
A study in the BMJ found long term exposure to particulate matter in outdoor air, at levels within legally acceptable limits, is strongly linked to heart attacks and angina. read more
premature deaths from traumatic brain injuries
With Michael Schumacher’s accident and recent debates over concussed goalkeepers, brain injuries have been constantly in the news. Researchers publishing in JAMA Psychiatry have been investigating the long-term impacts of traumatic brain injuries and what it means for patients. read more