Author Archives: Science Media Centre
survival and health outcomes in premature babies
Babies born before 26 weeks face a huge fight for survival and many go on to live with long-term health complications such as lung problems, learning difficulties and cerebral palsy. What’s more, the rates of premature birth are on the rise in many European countries and are particularly high in the UK. read more
expert reaction to research into number and quality of sperm
Research in the journal Human Reproduction suggested that the concentration and quality of sperm in a sample of 26,600 French men has been in steady decline between 1989 and 2005. read more
after the Leveson inquiry, what future for science coverage?
This article originally appeared on the Guardian website here. If anyone wonders why the Science Media Centre gave evidence to the Leveson … read more
satellite measurement of ice loss in Greenland and the Antarctic
Ice sheet loss from Greenland and the Antarctic will contribute to sea level rise. A new study published in Science combines multiple satellite data to estimate the mass balance of Earth’s polar ice sheets and its effect on sea level. read more
expert reaction to the Energy Bill
The energy minister Ed Davey unveiled the government’s Energy Bill, paving the way for making the UK a low-carbon economy. read more
risk factors for anxiety and depression in adolescents
10% of children (5-16) in Great Britain have a mental disorder of some kind including conduct disorder, emotional disorder or hyperactivity, and adolescence is a critical period for the development of depression. read more
expert reaction to sequencing and analysis of the wheat genome
A sequencing and analysis of the bread wheat genome, published in Nature, identified genes associated with crop productivity and offers a valuable source of information on this important crop and future wheat improvement. read more
expert reaction to EFSA report conclusion that Séralini study conclusions were not supported by data
The European Food Safety Authority’s final review reaffirmed its initial assessment that Séralini et al’s conclusions, in a paper in Food and Chemical Toxicology which linked GM maize to the development of tumours in rats, cannot be regarded as scientifically sound because of inadequacies in the design, reporting and analysis of the study. read more
expert reaction to WMO’s annual statement on the state of the global climate
The World Meteorological Organisation released figures indicating that global warming has yet to return to levels seen in the 1990s, and that 2012 is set to be the ninth hottest since records began. read more
expert reaction to new paper comparing observed with predicted sea level and global temperature
Sea-levels are rising 60 per cent faster than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) central projections, new research published in Environmental Research Letters suggests, while temperature rises appear to be consistent with the projections. read more
expert reaction to news of MMR vaccine coverage in under-twos reaching highest rates since 1997-98
New figures show that MMR vaccine uptake rates are the highest in 14 years since the Dr Wakefield autism scandal, with more than nine in ten children having the jab. read more
air pollution and autism
A study in Archives of General Psychiatry suggested exposure to traffic-related air pollution, particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide during pregnancy and during the first year of a child’s life appears to be associated with an increased risk of autism. read more
expert reaction to new research suggesting an association between air pollution and autism
A study in Archives of General Psychiatry suggested exposure to traffic-related air pollution, particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide during pregnancy and during the first year of a child’s life appears to be associated with an increased risk of autism. read more
expert reaction to UK rainfall and flooding
The UK has been experiencing high levels of rainfall in late November 2012, leading to local flooding across the country. … read more
The National Institute for Health Research: research for health and wealth
In her role as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Sally Davies provides independent advice to the Government on medical matters, with particular responsibilities regarding Public Health read more
ADHD treatments and criminal activity
pharmacological treatments. Untreated ADHD is often associated with antisocial behaviour, substance misuse and criminal activity. read more
physical weakness and premature death
A cohort study of one million participants, published in the BMJ, found low muscle strength in adolescence was strongly associated with a greater risk of early death from several major causes. read more
expert reaction to physical weakness and premature death
A cohort study of one million participants, published in the BMJ, found low muscle strength in adolescence was strongly associated with a greater risk of early death from several major causes. read more
expert reaction to spinal cord regeneration in dogs
Researchers publishing in the journal Brain have shown it is possible to restore co-ordinated limb movement in dogs with severe spinal cord injury, using a unique type of stem cell to regenerate the damaged part of the dogs’ spines. read more
expert reaction to meningitis B vaccine recommendation
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended for approval a meningitis B vaccine from Novartis. This would be the first vaccine to be licensed for this strain of meningitis, whichaccounts for the vast majority of cases in the UK. read more