Author Archives: Science Media Centre
fish discards
Approximately half the fish caught in marine fisheries are thrown back into the sea because they are un-marketable or over-quota. The reformed European Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) now intends to ban the practice by 2019. This has been hailed by campaigners as a triumph. But what does the science say? read more
**SMC website has been inactive for 2 weeks**
This is due to a change to our IT systems. We will update with activity from the previous weeks from now on. Apologies for the radio silence. read more
expert reaction to typhoon Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest recorded typhoon to make landfall, caused huge destruction in the Philippines. read more
expert reaction to polio emergence in Syria and the risk in Europe
Two infectious disease experts warned in The Lancet that a new outbreak of polio in Syria might endanger neighbouring regions, including Europe. read more
expert reaction to Independent splash on CRISPR
The front page of the Independent newspaper lead on CRISPR, a technique that allows precise editing of DNA. read more
media launch of PGP-UK
The UK has a strong track record in genomics, most notably as a major contributor to the sequencing of the genome by the Human Genome Project in 2000 and the ongoing 1000 Genomes Project. A new addition to this landscape will arrive in the UK with the launch of the open access UK Personal Genome Project (PGP-UK). read more
expert reaction to launch of PGP-UK
The SMC hosted the press launch of the open access UK Personal Genome Project (PGP-UK); a new addition to the UK’s … read more
expert reaction to new study on cancer and IVF
Research in the New England Journal of Medicine found no extra cancer risk among children born after assisted conception. read more
expert reaction to new paper on aerosols and climate
Natural aerosols, such as emissions from volcanoes or plants, may contribute more uncertainty than previously thought to estimates of how … read more
expert reaction to record greenhouse gas concentrations as announced by the WMO
The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) announced the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record high in 2012. read more
expert reaction to Ritalin and addiction
A rat study in Nature Communications found the active component in Ritalin, methylphenidate, can enhance the way the brain responds to further exposure to the drug and can cause increased amphetamine-seeking behaviour. read more
expert reaction to analysis paper on whether ADHD is being over-diagnosed
Scientists writing in the BMJ made the case that a broader definition of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has contributed to a steep rise in diagnosis and prescriptions, particularly among children. read more
expert reaction to launch of animal research public consultation
A public consultation was announced to gather opinions about a concordat on openness in animal research, signed by over 50 bioscience organisations. read more
expert reaction to HPV screening versus cytology (smear test) screening for cervical cancer
A paper in the Lancet found screening for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) provides 60–70% greater protection against invasive cervical cancer than the ‘smear-test’ screening currently used in most countries. read more
expert reaction to new paper on the potential impacts of a sugary drinks tax
A study in the BMJ suggested a 20% tax on sugar sweetened drinks would reduce the number of UK adults who are obese by 180,000 and who are overweight by 285,000. read more
expert reaction to PHE report on shale gas and public health
Public Health England (PHE) reviewed the literature on the potential public health impacts as a result of shale gas extraction, concluding the potential risks to public health are low if extraction is properly run and regulated. read more
expert reaction to non-exercise physical activity and cardiovascular health
Research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggested DIY and gardening can cut heart attack/stroke risk by 30% and prolong life … read more
expert reaction to article linking swaddling to hip abnormalities
A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon writing in the Archives of Disease in Childhood warned about the resurgence of traditional swaddling of babies since the technique is known to be linked to developmental hip problems. read more
expert reaction to breast cancer radiotherapy and heart disease
Among patients with early stages of breast cancer, those whose hearts were more directly irradiated with radiation treatments on the left side in a facing-up position had higher risk of heart disease, according to research in JAMA Internal Medicine. read more
expert reaction to poverty in childhood affecting neurodevelopment
Children who grow up in poor families may have smaller hippocampus and amygdala volumes according to a study in JAMA Pediatrics. read more