Author Archives: Science Media Centre
marijuana and testicular cancer
A study published in found a link between recreational marijuana use and an increased risk of developing subtypes of testicular cancer that tend to carry a somewhat worse prognosis. read more
developing diabetes – the SABRE study
According to Diabetes UK, type II diabetes and its complications costs the NHS over £1m an hour.
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expert reaction to marijuana use and testicular cancer
A study published in CANCER found a link between recreational marijuana use and an increased risk of developing subtypes of testicular cancer that tend to carry a somewhat worse prognosis. Before the Headlines analysis was also sent out. read more
expert reaction to meta-analysis of studies into acupuncture and chronic pain
Archives of Internal Medicine published a meta-review of 29 randomized controlled trials, suggesting that acupuncture may be better than no acupuncture or sham acupuncture for the treatment of some chronic pain. A Before the Headlines analysis was also sent out. read more
expert reaction to announcement from David Willetts on open access funding
David Willetts, the Minister for Universities and Science, announced the government would be providing £10m of extra funding for UK academics to publish in open access journals. read more
expert reaction to new research into sleep disturbance and Alzheimer’s in mice
Scientists writing in Science Translational Medicine found that mice with the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease have disrupted sleep. read more
expert reaction to Jeremy Hunt being appointed health secretary in the cabinet reshuffle
The appointment of Jeremy Hunt to the post of Health Secretary prompted reaction from members of the scientific community regarding Hunt’s previous statements on homeopathy. read more
expert reaction to paper on patient safety incidents from acupuncture treatments
The International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine published a paper detailing risks associated with acupuncture treatments. read more
expert reaction to new study showing benefits of freezing embryos
An analysis of 13,000 IVF pregnancies suggested the freezing process might be better for the mother and the baby’s health. It reported a lower chance of haemorrhage, premature birth and deaths in the first few weeks of life.
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expert reaction to link between chemical exposure and heart disease
A paper in Archives of Internal Medicine found a link between cardiovascular disease and higher blood levels of a chemical used in manufacture of products such as lubricants, polishes, paper and textile coatings, and food packaging. The Australian Science Media Centre also issued comments. read more
expert reaction to Bladegate – Pistorius claims Oliveira’s artificial legs give him an unfair advantage
Oscar Pistorius, the South African paralympian, claimed foul play when beaten by fellow athlete Alan Fonteles Oliveira claiming Oliveira’s prosthetic legs gave him a winning advantage. read more
expert reaction to research into the safety and nutritional value of organic food
Researchers writing in the Annals of Internal Medicine reviewed existing studies comparing organic and conventional foods, finding that when it comes to health and nutritional value there is little difference between organic and conventional foods. read more
expert reaction to new study of the feasibility of deploying solar radiation management (SRM) technology
Environmental Research Letters published a cost analysis of the technologies needed to transport materials into the stratosphere to reduce the amount of sunlight hitting Earth as a means to combat climate change, concluding such technologies are feasible and affordable. read more
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