Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to new research on polar ice loss
A study published in Nature Geoscience found the technology behind satellite observations of mass loss from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets is currently unable to separate long-term trends from short-term natural variability. read more
expert reaction to the Academy of Medical Sciences’ report on stratified (personalised) medicine
The Academy of Medical Sciences released a new report, ‘Realising the potential of stratified medicine’, that identifies and proposes solutions to the ongoing barriers to progress in the development of stratified medicine. read more
is the UK ready for stratified (personalised) medicine?
The Academy of Medical Sciences released a new report, ‘Realising the potential of stratified medicine’, that identifies and proposes solutions to the ongoing barriers to progress in the development of stratified medicine. read more
pre-ESHRE preview briefing
The annual meeting of ESHRE, the world’s leading event in reproductive medicine took place in London from 7-10th July. As usual, the SMC invited 5 leading fertility experts to come and talk through the most significant, newsworthy studies being presented at the conference. read more
taking organ transplantation to 2020 – a UK strategy
Despite a 50% increase in deceased organ donation, there is still a significant gap between the need and availability of organs for transplant. NHS Blood and Transplant together with the four UK health departments have led the development of a new strategy will look to achieve a revolution in attitudes to organ donation across the UK. read more
preview of the world’s largest scientific meeting on synthetic biology
Close to 1000 researchers in synthetic biology descended on Imperial College London for the 6th international meeting of BIOBRICKS, the synthetic biology meeting. The SMC invited some of the leading experts attending to meet with UK journalists beforehand. read more
air pollution and lung cancer
A paper published in The Lancet Oncology found prolonged exposure to particulate air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer, even at levels below the European Union limit values. read more
expert reaction to 2 studies on air pollution and lung cancer/heart disease
A paper published in The Lancet Oncology found prolonged exposure to particulate air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer, even at levels below the European Union limit values. Another systematic review in The Lancet found short-term exposure to most major air pollutants appears to increase the risk of being hospitalised for and dying from heart failure. read more
expert reaction to train derailment and explosions in Quebec
A freight train carrying crude oil derailed and blew up in Quebec. read more
expert reaction to Department of Health announcement introducing Genomics England genome sequencing for patients
Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, has launched Genomics England – a new government organisation to oversee the introduction of DNA sequencing throughout the National Health Service. read more
expert reaction to press release on non-peer reviewed research that suggests a link between protein in cow’s milk and autism
Ahead of a talk in London, a press release was sent out regarding research to be presented for the first time by Dr Malav Trivedi which proposed links between the A1 protein common in cows’ milk and exacerbated symptoms of disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. read more
expert reaction to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus transmissibility
Estimates of the transmissibility of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS), published in The Lancet suggest that it does not yet have pandemic potential. read more
expert reaction to the DEFRA strategy announcement on bovine TB
Defra announced their plans to eradicate bovine TB from the UK within 25 years, which includes plans for a cull. read more
cousin marriages and congenital anomalies – Born in Bradford: a new study in the Lancet
Around 17 in every 1,000 babies in England and Wales are born with a congenital anomaly. These anomalies can result for various reasons, one of which is consanguineous relationships (those between blood relatives). The Born in Bradford study collected lifestyle and clinical data from children born with congenital anomalies, finding that cousin marriages were associated with a significant increase in risk. read more
expert reaction to iPS cells used to build a new liver
A Nature paper described how induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were used to make a functional human liver. read more
IVF and autism
In a JAMA study of more than 2.5 million children born in Sweden in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment was associated with a small but statistically significantly increased risk of mental retardation, though not associated with autistic disorder. read more
expert reaction to IVF and autism
In a JAMA study of more than 2.5 million children born in Sweden in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment was associated with a small but statistically significantly increased risk of mental retardation, though not associated with autistic disorder. read more
IVF and autism
A group of international scientists have been investigating whether there is an association between the use of IVF and the risk of autistic disorder or mental retardation in offspring. read more
long term shift work and breast cancer
A study in Occupational and Environmental Medicine found working night shifts for 30 or more years doubles the risk of developing breast cancer, and is not confined to nurses as previous research had indicated. read more
expert reaction to study on long term shift work and breast cancer
A study in Occupational and Environmental Medicine found working night shifts for 30 or more years doubles the risk of developing breast cancer, and is not confined to nurses as previous research had indicated. read more