Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to birth outcomes after induced abortions
One of the largest studies to look at the effect of induced abortions on a subsequent first birth has found that women who have had three or more abortions have a higher risk of some adverse birth outcomes, as published in the journal Human Reproduction .
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expert reaction to British science being celebrated at the paralympic opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic games had as its theme Britain’s tradition of science and innovation, with astrophysicist Stephen Hawking as narrator. read more
expert reaction to the lowest Arctic sea ice level on record, as announced by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)
The NSIDC in Colorado reported that the Arctic sea ice extent was at its lowest level since satellite measurements began in 1979, breaking the previous record set on 18 September 2007. read more
expert reaction to adolescent cannabis users and neuropsychological health
A large, long term study in PNAS showed persistent cannabis use may be associated with neuropsychological decline, particularly among adolescent users. read more
expert reaction to near-doubling of measles cases in England and Wales
The Health Protection Agency published figures showing almost twice as many confirmed cases of measles in England and Wales during the first six months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. read more
expert reaction to mutations in sperm of older fathers
Children of older fathers have a higher rate of new mutations according to a large genome-sequencing study published in Nature. read more
expert reaction to new studies into antibiotics and obesity
A large study in the International Journal of Obesity found children under six months who were given antibiotics were heavier when older, while a Nature paper found consistent treatment of young mice with antibiotics affected their gut microbes and caused gains in fat.
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expert reaction to new research into nanoparticles and crops
A study in PNAS found that two commonplace nanoparticles — zinc oxide and cerium oxide — may have deleterious effects on plant growth and soil fertility. read more
expert reaction to knowledge about the biological basis of psychopathy and judges sentencing
Invoking scientific evidence about the biological contributing factors of a defendant’s mental illness makes judges slightly more lenient in their sentencing decisions, reports a new study in Science. read more
expert reaction to research into urinary bisphenol A and arterial stenosis
A study of British men and women in the journal PLoS ONE found a link between high levels of bisphenol A and the clogging up of the arteries that provide the heart with oxygen-rich blood. read more
expert reaction to triclosan and heart muscle damage
An antibacterial agent, called triclosan, was found to hamper muscle function in animals and fish in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. read more
expert reaction to two new studies into the consequences of Fukushima
Two studies in JAMA reported on the psychological status of workers at the Fukushima nuclear power plants in Japan several months after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, and the amount of internal radiation exposure among residents of a city north of the power plant that experienced a meltdown. read more
expert reaction to association between suicide rates and the economic recession
Economic recession and rising unemployment may have driven more than 1,000 people in England to commit suicide, according to a study published in the BMJ. read more
expert reaction to natural birth triggers UCP 2 expression in mice
A study on infant mice in PLoS ONE found that natural birth triggered production of the protein UCP2, linked to development of brain circuits linked to memory, while less of the protein was made in mice delivered by C-section. read more