Author Archives: Science Media Centre
predicting future violence among individuals with psychopathy
The question of whether or not individuals should be released from mental health institutions generates huge public interest. Mental health trusts use controversial tools created by psychiatrists to predict future violent behaviour and these controversial tools have been coming under increased scrutiny. read more
breast cancer prevention and treatment – critical research gaps
Breast cancer remains a significant scientific, clinical and societal challenge. Breast Cancer Campaign has facilitated a comprehensive analysis of the current gaps in scientific knowledge and treatment of breast cancer, in attempt to identify how to make the most significant impact on the disease. read more
expert reaction to IPCC AR5
Reaction to the fifth assessment report (AR5) of the IPCC, announced on the 27th September, from lead authors and 3rd party scientists. read more
IPCC AR5 WG1 Stockholm press conference
The SMC invited journalists to watch the IPCC press conference live from Stockholm, joined by a number of climate scientists. read more
expert reaction to ASRM/ACOG committee opinion on chemicals and pregnancy
Committees at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine published an opinion document regarding toxic chemicals in the environment which may harm our ability to reproduce and negatively affect pregnancies. read more
expert reaction to mitochondrial replacement and evolution
Authors of a comment piece in Science raised their concerns about the proposition to introduce new IVF techniques into the clinic which would tackle geneitc disease by replacing the faulty mitochondrial DNA of mothers. read more
pornography on the brain: are young people at risk?
Pornography has never been more immediately available than now, and smartphones mean parents have little control over their children’s exposure to the full gamut of sexually explicit material on the web. But what does the science say? And how do scientists even go about researching such a contentious subject? read more
expert reaction to lifestyle changes, telomere length and cellular ageing
A preliminary study in The Lancet Oncology indicated that comprehensive lifestyle changes could potentially increase the length of telomeres, the ends of chromosomes that control cell ageing. read more
expert reaction to new research into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells
A Nature paper demonstrated it is possible to reprogramme adult cells into pluripotent stem cells within living mice. read more
expert reaction to the 2013 UK antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy
The government announced a 5 year strategy to slow the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. read more
delaying motherhood – the science of reproductive ageing
Mary Herbert is best known for her role in the pioneering research around mitochondrial DNA transfer, but is actually one of the UK’s leading experts on the biology of reproductive ageing. Her team’s research findings indicate that it may be impossible to reverse the damage to eggs during the ageing process, and she and her colleagues are concerned that too many women are leaving it too late to start having babies. read more
the science of reducing, refining and replacing animals in research
Every year the annual home office statistics on animal research report a steady increase in the number of animals used. Yet the scientific community insists it is committed to reducing, refining and replacing animals in research. Is the UK really making strides in the 3Rs or just paying lip service to them? What is the science behind the 3Rs and what gains have been made? read more
expert reaction to dementia screening
Writing in the British Medical Journal, a group of UK and Australian experts said a political drive to screen older people for minor memory changes is leading to unnecessary investigation and potentially harmful treatment, claiming up to 23% of non-demented older people could labelled with dementia. read more
stem cell promises and pitfalls: meet mesenchymal stem cells
The identity, capabilities and sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been the subject of great controversy among researchers. Where is research on MSCs at, and why have these cells been at the centre of recurring debates about what they can do and how they might truly be used in therapies? read more
shale gas and fracking
Shale gas extraction has become a polarised issue with claims and counterclaims on each side of the debate and it’s hard to know what’s true. This background briefing featured four senior experts with knowledge of the major issues around shale gas and fracking. read more
expert reaction to new research into the efficacy of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation
A study in The Lancet found electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), with or without nicotine, were modestly effective at helping smokers to quit, with similar achievement of abstinence as with nicotine patches. read more
expert reaction to brain training video game
Research, published in Nature, suggested video-game-based training may be able to repair age-related declines in older individuals’ multitasking and cognitive-control abilities. read more
expert reaction to high blood pressure and carotid body denervation
A paper in Nature Communications demonstrated a technique – carotid body denervation – that lowered blood pressure in rats. read more
expert reaction to Fukushima water leak and proposed containment measures
The Japanese government announced plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into measures to stop the Fukushima nuclear plant leaking radioactive water. read more
expert Q&A on alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria
By Prof Alastair Hay, Professor of Environmental Toxicology, University of Leeds. read more