Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to studies showing toxicity of traditional Chinese medicines
Two studies, one in PNAS and one in PLoS Genetics revealed toxic compounds present in traditional chinese medicines. read more
expert reaction to Indonesian earthquake and tsunami warning
Following a earthquake off the coast of Indonesia measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, and with a tsunami warning issued across the Indian Ocean, quotes from the UK and Australian scientific community were sent out. read more
dental x-rays and risk of meningioma
A study published in Cancer suggested that people who had received frequent dental x-rays in the past had an increased risk of meningioma, a type of brain tumour. read more
expert reaction to new study on older-style, higher-dose dental X-rays and meningioma
A study published in Cancer suggested that people who had received frequent dental x-rays in the past had an increased risk of meningioma, a type of brain tumour. As well as comments, the SMC sent out a Before The Headlines analysis. read more
HFEA launches strategy to boost egg and sperm donation
Following on from the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority’s (HFEA) new guidelines on how much compensation sperm and egg donors can receive, the HFEA came to the SMC to announce plans to tackle wider issues around public awareness, donor recruitment and good care of donors. The HFEA is launching a new National Donation Strategy Group which will bring together a wide range of experts in the field of donor recruitment and donor care. read more
expert reaction to studies of the genetics of autism
Three papers published in Nature concerned the genetic architecture of autism spectrum disorders, of which most of the underlying causes remain unknown. The papers suggested may be caused by variation in multiple unrelated locations within the genome. read more
expert reaction to new research into height and weight as risk factors for ovarian cancer
A study in the journal PLoS Medicine suggested that increasing height and increased body mass index are risk factors for developing ovarian cancer. read more
expert reaction to CO2 and the last ice age
A paper in Nature outlined how important an increase in atmospheric CO2 at the end of the last ice age was to a subsequent rise in global temperatures. read more
expert reaction to DECC launch of new competition for Carbon Capture and Storage
The Department of Energy and Climate Change announced a £1bn incentive for the development of schemes to trap and bury carbon dioxide. read more
the risks and rewards of H5N1 avian flu research
In late 2011 two teams of researchers carried out research into man-made variants of H5N1 avian flu which could be transmitted between mammals. The US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) requested that papers describing the research be redacted before publication, opening up a wide-ranging debate about the ethics and safety of conducting and publishing research which engineers dangerous pathogens.
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expert reaction to modelling global warming to 2050
A paper in the journal Nature Geoscience predicted that climate warming by 2050 is likely to be between 1.4 and 3 °C, which is broadly consistent with the expert assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. read more
UK Biobank opens for research
Ten years and almost £100m in the planning and development, UK Biobank is one of the most detailed large-scale health projects ever developed. Speakers from the UK Biobank and funders came to announce the opening of the data for use by scientists.
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expert reaction to the decision by RWE and E.On to pull out of nuclear projects
The energy companies RWE and E.On pulled out of a project for two new nuclear power plants, with implications for the future of energy provision in the UK. read more
whiffy wheat to ward off aphids: a field trial
Scientists at Rothamsted have produced a variety of wheat that produces an aphid alarm pheromone, with the aim of making wheat production less reliant on pesticides. The wheat was developed to fight off aphids using the same odour that peppermint plants release naturally. The team is planting the wheat in what will be only the third field trial of a genetically modified crop variety in the UK. read more
expert reaction to the IPCC Special Report on ‘Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation’
Reactions were sent out by the SMC to the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s most recent report, ‘Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation’. read more
expert reaction to Elgin platform gas leak
The Elgin North Sea natural gas rig was found to be leaking gas, leading to the evacuation of all workers and imposition of an air and sea exclusion zone. read more
speaking out on animal research
A few weeks ago I was heavily involved in the story about the transport of animals for research. The story, broken exclusively … read more
UK to Host the World’s largest Cleft Lip/Palate Research Programme
The SMC hosted the launch of The Cleft Collective – the largest research programme for cleft in the world, funded by UK charity the Healing Foundation. Over five years, the gene bank and cohort study will collect DNA from all cleft children born in the UK from autumn 2012 and will follow their development through to adulthood. read more
the dangers of antibiotics in agriculture
At this SMC Expert Encounter, two leading figures in the field of antibiotic use in agriculture came to discuss the problem of non-therapeutic antibiotic use and compare the current situation in Europe and the USA. read more
expert reaction to today’s announcement about funds to tackle dementia
David Cameron announced that funding for dementia would more than double in the UK by 2015. The SMC sourced quotes from mental health experts. read more