Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to the first hand transplant in the UK
A 51-year-old man became the first person in the UK to have a hand transplant after surgery at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI). The patient underwent the complex eight-hour procedure on December 27 when a donor hand became available. read more
expert reaction to MET office preliminary analysis of UK rainfall in 2012
Provisional statistics from the Met Office showed 2012 was the second wettest year in the UK national record dating back to 1910, just a few millimetres short of the record set in 2000. read more
expert reaction to the creation of cancer-specific killer T cells from iPS cells
Researchers in Japan revealed in the journal Cell Stem Cell that they created cancer-specific, immune system cells called killer T lymphocytes, from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). read more
experts comment on the Neon Roberts radiotherapy court case
A high court judge ruled that seven-year old Neon Roberts, suffering from a cancerous brain tumour, should have radiotherapy against the wishes of his mother. read more
expert reaction to news of multiple shooting in the US state of Connecticut
On Friday 14 December, Adam Lanza opened fire at the Sandy Hook school in Newtown, Connecticut, killing 20 children and six adults. read more
treating cancer in children – what does the science say?
Due to the recent high profile case, children’s cancer therapies are constantly in the news. The SMC brought together some leading experts to discuss the evidence behind the therapies currently being used. read more
expert reaction to leak of IPCC AR5 WG1
A climate sceptic blogger leaked part of a draft version of the IPCC’s Assessment Report 5 by Working Group 1, … read more
expert reaction to resumption of fracking in the UK
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey announced that exploratory hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale gas can resume in the UK, subject to new controls to mitigate the risks of seismic activity. read more
expert reaction to review of effectiveness of Sativex (cannabis extract) for MS
A review in Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin called into question the evidence backing the use of cannabis extract in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). read more
expert response to new Climate Change Committee report
The Climate Change Committee launched a report assessing the impact of carbon budgets on energy bills and confirms that annual household energy bills could increase by £100 in 2020 to support development of low-carbon technologies. read more
expert reaction to new research on a drug which may reduce some symptoms of autism
Research published in Translational Psychiatry suggested the diuretic bumetanide may mitigate some of the behavioral abnormalities associated with autism. read more
expert reaction to new research into loneliness and the onset of dementia
Feeling lonely was linked to an increased risk of developing dementia in later life, according to research published in the … read more
expert reaction to the end of the HFEA mitochondria consultation
Launched at an SMC briefing in September 2012, the public consultation into emerging techniques designed to prevent mitochondrial disease closed on the 7th December. read more
expert reaction to announcement of NHS DNA database
David Cameron announced plans to launch a clinical DNA-reading service, focusing on patients with cancer and rare diseases, as part of efforts to open National Health Service data to medical research. read more
expert reaction to the death of Sir Patrick Moore
Sir Patrick Moore, astronomer, author and long running presenter of The Sky at Night, died at the age of 89. read more
experts comment on the winding up of COP-18 in Doha
The 2012 climate change conference, COP-18, held in Doha closed after a week of debate about how the world should tackle climate change. read more
expert reaction to new research into benzodiazepines and pneumonia
Commonly prescribed sedatives were linked to an increased the risk of contracting pneumonia by as much as 50%, according to research published in the journal Thorax. read more
childlessness and mortality rates
A large study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that childless couples who had been treated for infertility, and in particular women, were more likely to have shorter lifespans. read more
stem cells and new drugs for hard-to-treat conditions
While we are used to hearing about exciting new breakthroughs involving the use of stem cells to regenerate damaged tissue, some scientists think the really exciting thing about stem cells is their ability to revolutionise the process of discovering and testing new drugs. read more
expert reaction to the autumn statement
In his autumn statement, chancellor George Osborne announced an increase of £600m to the science budget. read more