Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
sharing data – saving lives or invasion of patient privacy?
Leading medical research charities launched the ‘Sharing data save lives’ campaign to raise awareness of the importance of sharing data from patient records and came to the SMC to argue that the benefits far outweigh inflated privacy concerns. read more
expert reaction to impact of caffeine on memory
A Nature Neuroscience study on 100 participants found memory performance was enhanced after a learning session by taking a pill-size dosage of caffeine. read more
extreme weather and climate change
Heavy rain and storms have lashed the UK in early 2014. Meanwhile the US suffers extreme cold while Australia experiences a heatwave. We often hear that climate change may be causing this extreme weather. But is that really true? read more
experts comment on campaign to reduce the nation’s sugar intake
A campaign group called Action on Sugar has been launched, looking to reduce the amount of sugar added to food and soft drinks in an effort to tackle obesity and diabetes. read more
birth problems and fertility treatment
A study in PLOS ONE found children born after IVF treatment had a greater risk of birth complications. read more
expert reaction to study suggesting higher risk of birth problems after fertility treatment
A study in PLOS ONE found children born after IVF treatment had a greater risk of birth complications. read more
expert reaction to new study modelling the effects of geoengineering
A study in the journal Environmental Research Letters looked at the effect injecting large amount of reflective particles into the stratosphere in an attempt to reverse the impacts of global warming could have, suggesting it could make matters worse. read more
expert reaction to rainfall and flooding in the UK
The UK has seen continuing bad weather conditions over the turn of the new year, with many areas experiencing flooding. read more
expert reaction to eating peanuts during pregnancy
Children appear to be less at risk for developing nut allergies if their mothers are not allergic and ate more nuts during pregnancy, according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics. read more
expert reaction to altering emotional memories
A study on 39 depressed patients found their emotional memories were disrupted using electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), according to a study published in Nature Neuroscience. read more
expert reaction to ageing in mice
Researchers publishing in Cell discovered a naturally produced compound rewinds aspects of age-related demise in mice. read more