Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to research into dietary fats and heart disease
A clinical trial in the BMJ suggested that replacing saturated animal fats with omega-6 polyunsaturated vegetable fats is linked to an increased risk of death among patients with heart disease. read more
dietary fats and heart disease
A clinical trial in the BMJ suggested that replacing saturated animal fats with omega-6 polyunsaturated vegetable fats is linked to an increased risk of death among patients with heart disease. read more
expert reaction to new research into physical activity, TV watching and semen quality
A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found young men who watch TV for more than 20 hours a week have almost half the sperm count of men who watch very little TV, while men who do 15 or more hours of moderate to vigorous exercise every week have sperm counts that are 73% higher than those who exercise very little. read more
physical activity, TV watching and semen quality
A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found young men who watch TV for more than 20 hours a week have almost half the sperm count of men who watch very little TV, while men who do 15 or more hours of moderate to vigorous exercise every week have sperm counts that are 73% higher than those who exercise very little. read more
the media and cancer myths: cause or cure?
This is a guest blogpost by Helen Jamison, Deputy Director of the Science Media Centre, and originally appeared on the … read more
expert reaction to mystery substance covering seabirds in English Channel
Large numbers of seabirds washed up along the south coast were found to be covered in a sticky, glue-like substance. read more
expert reaction to new research into therapies for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME
The latest results from the PACE trial, published in Psychological Medicine, show that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET), as supplements to specialist medical care, increase the likelihood of recovery from CFS three-fold compared to other treatments studied. read more
antiepileptic drugs and neurodevelopmental disorders
A small study in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry suggested that mothers taking the antiepileptic drug sodium valproate while pregnant have a higher chance of having children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. read more
expert reaction to study examining link between neurodevelopmental disorders and antiepileptic drugs
A small study in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry suggested that mothers taking the antiepileptic drug sodium valproate while pregnant have a higher chance of having children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. read more
expert reaction to the decision by Cumbria County Council not to proceed with the search for a site for a radioactive waste facility
Government plans to find a site for an underground nuclear waste store in the Lake District were rejected by Cumbria County Council. read more
minimum alcohol pricing
The government is proposing a minimum price of 45p per unit for the sale of alcohol in England and Wales. Public health campaigners will welcome such a move, while some industry groups and economic think tanks oppose it. But what does the evidence say? read more
personalised medicine for cancer: from mantra to reality
Personalised medicine has been the mantra for cancer researchers for several years, but it’s only now – with an explosion in our knowledge of the genetics of cancer – that we’re beginning to put that ambition into action through techniques like tumour profiling. read more
expert reaction to the news that the functions of the HFEA and the HTA will not be transferred to the Care Quality Commission
The Department of Health decided not to transfer functions from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Health Research Authority (HRA), following a public consultation from June to September 2012. read more
expert reaction to story on QALY system
A European Commission-funded study claimed the ‘quality-adjusted life years’ (QALY) system, used by NICE to recommend which drugs should be funded, is flawed. read more
expert reaction to pesticide impact on amphibians
A paper published in Scientific Reports studied the effects of exposing young frogs to pesticides, and suggested that existing risk assessments for pesticide regulation may require re-examining. read more
expert reaction to MP’s claims about phenylbutazone and horse meat
Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh said in Commons that horses slaughtered in the UK had tested positive for the carcinogen phenylbutazone. read more
expert reaction to details of government expenditure on science
Science minister David Willetts set out details of how most of the £600m for science, announced in the autumn statement, would be spent.
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expert reaction to lifting of moratorium on H5N1 transmission
A letter published jointly in the journals Nature and Science by influenza scientists announced their intention to resume research into H5N1 avian influenza virus transmission after a year-long self imposed moratorium to allow for debate on the safest way to proceed. read more
expert reaction to the EU approval of the first meningitis B vaccine
A new meningitis B vaccine called Bexsero has been licensed by the European Commission, meaning the vaccine should soon be available for use in the UK. read more
expert reaction to French gas leak
An accidental release of mercaptan gas, the pungent chemical added to odourless municipal gas, from a factory in the French town of Rouen drifted over the British Channel into south east England. read more