Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
expert reaction to BBC Panorama programme on antidepressants and pregnancy
A BBC Panorama programme, ‘The Truth about Pregnancy and Pills’, suggested if a mother takes a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) in early pregnancy the risk of having a baby born with a heart defect increases from two in 100 to four in 100. read more
expert reaction to TB test-positive cattle entering the food chain
The Sunday Times broke a story about how cattle slaughtered after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) were being sold for human consumption by Defra. read more
launch of new WHO guidelines ‘Towards 15 and Beyond: New horizons for HIV antiretroviral treatment’
New global guidelines from World Health Organization (WHO) on when to start taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV could avert an additional 3 million deaths and prevent 4 million new infections between now and 2025. read more
expert reaction to news that the government is expected to ban khat despite the advice of the ACMD
The Home Secretary was said to be likely to ban the legal drug khat despite the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs finding insufficient evidence to suggest the herbal stimulant causes health problems. read more
announcement on mitochondrial DNA transfer
Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies will outlined the government’s response to the advice and information provided by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on new IVF techniques for the prevention of mitochondrial disease. read more
expert reaction to DH announcement on mitochondrial DNA transfer
The government have decided to move ahead with changing regulations to allow new IVF techniques for the prevention of mitochondrial disease, on the advice and information provided by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. read more
expert reaction to lithium reducing suicide in mood disorders
A review published in the BMJ found drug lithium to be an effective treatment for reducing the risk of suicide and … read more
expert reaction to the news that shale gas reserves in Lancashire and Yorkshire are greater than previously thought
UK shale gas resources may be far greater than previously thought with substantial reserves beneath Lancashire and Yorkshire, a report by the British Geological Survey has found. read more
expert reaction to heart attack risk and perception of effect of stress on health
Research published in the European Heart Journal found stress has an adverse impact on health through an increased risk of suffering a heart attack. read more
expert reaction to George Osborne’s Spending Review
George Osborne has outlined plans for government spending up to 2016 in his Spending Review to MPs. read more
expert reaction to nerve regeneration restoring bladder function in rats
Researchers reported restoring bladder function in paralyzed adult rats using a new technique to promote the regeneration of nerve cells after severe spinal cord injury, according to The Journal of Neuroscience. read more
expert comment on Obama’s climate change speech
In a speech at Georgetown University Obama launched his Climate Action Plan, introducing a spate of new regulations to help the US cut greenhouse gas emissions. read more