Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s £6.4 million grant to genetically modify cereals to associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria
The John Innes Centre in Norwich won a £6.4million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to develop genetically modified crops capable of taking nitrogen from the air, meaning they need little or no fertiliser. read more
explaining or exposing: it’s more exciting than that
Heard the row about ‘explainers’ versus ‘exposers’ or between the ‘boat-rockers’ versus the ‘cheerleaders for science’? No? My goodness guys … read more
engineering the Olympics
Behind the scenes at the Games is an incredible array of engineering and technology, creating a world class environment of construction, infrastructure, transport, hospitality, tourism and more.
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expert reaction to French avalanche
An avalanche in the French Alps claimed the lives of 9 climbers including 2 Britons. Information about the mechanics behind avalanches was provided by experts. read more
expert reaction to vaccines recombining to form viruses
A study in Science found different vaccines used to control an infectious disease in chickens have been able to recombine to generate new virus strains. The resulting new viruses have been responsible for significant outbreaks of disease and death in farmed chickens. read more
legal highs…and lows
So called ‘legal highs’ have caught lawmakers on the hop because they are often created by altering illegal psychoactive molecules just enough to fall outside the law.
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expert reaction to study of bisphenol A (BPA) and cross-species breeding in fish
The chemical BPA was found to impact the mating choices of fish when released into rivers, a study in Evolutionary Applications found. By altering an individual’s appearance and behavior, BPA exposure led to inter-species breeding. read more
alcohol consumption and rheumatoid arthritis risk
A study in the BMJ indicated that moderate consumption of alcohol by women for at least 10 years is associated with a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared to non-drinkers. read more
publication of annual statistics on number of animals used in research
The annual Home Office statistics on the number of animals used in research came as the government is preparing to implement the first revision of the laws on animal research in over 20 years.
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State of the Climate 2011 and detection and attribution of extreme events
Every year the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS) publish their State of the Climate Report. The Global chapter of this report assesses global climate throughout 2011, and this year, for the first time, the publication also included an Attribution Supplement.
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expert reaction to annual Home Office animal research statistics
The Home Office releases its annual statistics on the numbers of procedures carried out on animals for research purposes. read more
expert reaction to study of alcohol consumption and rheumatoid arthritis risk
A study in the BMJ indicated that moderate consumption of alcohol by women for at least 10 years is associated with a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared to non-drinkers. A Before the Headlines analysis was also sent out. read more
book review: The Geek Manifesto – Why Science Matters
The news that the Government had moved to ban all research on human-animal hybrid embryos came late in December 2006, just as … read more
sedentary lifestyle and risk of death
An observational study in the BMJ Open found an association between the amount of time spent seated every day to longevity. read more
expert reaction to observational study looking at sedentary lifestyle and risk of death
An observational study in the BMJ Open found an association between the amount of time spent seated every day to longevity. A Before the Headlines analysis was also sent out to accompany comments. read more
expert reaction to novel hormone-based treatment for depression (in mice)
Researchers reported in PNAS that a circulating metabolic hormone helps alleviate the symptoms of depression in mice. read more
drought part 2: UK water security
A new report from the Institution of Civil Engineers entitled State of the Nation: Water outlined how the urgency and severity of the UK read more
expert reaction to arrests of animal rights extremists
Three people were arrested in Amsterdam and in Croydon, London, as part of a Europe-wide inquiry into blackmail linked to animal rights extremism. read more
experts anticipate Higgs news from CERN
The first of two rapid reaction sent out from the SMC, comments from leading particle physicists were sent out in anticipation of the announcement that confirmed the Higgs boson had been discovered at the LHC. read more
expert reaction to claims of polonium-210 being used to poison Yasser Arafat
Traces of the radioactive compound polonium-210 were found on clothes of ex-Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, leading to claims that poisoning may have been the cause of his death. read more