Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study of antipsychotics and mortality in elderly dementia patients as published in BMJ
A study in the British Medical Journal suggested that elderly nursing home residents taking certain antipsychotic medication had an increased risk of death. read more
expert reaction to study of mechanism for cognitive enhancement in rats, as published in PLoS Biology
A study in rats, published in the journal PLoS Biology suggested that the compound AMPA might be used as a drug to improve cognitive performance. The SMC gathered reactions. read more
expert reaction to study of endometriosis and risk of ovarian cancer as published in The Lancet Oncology
Expert reaction to a study in The Lancet Oncology that showed endometriosis increases the risk of certain types of ovarian cancer. read more
expert reaction to study of neurotransmitters and response to financial loss as published in Molecular Psychiatry
A paper published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry suggested that the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline) may have a role to play in how people respond to financial loss. read more
expert reaction to ongoing debate concerning research on transmissibility of H5N1
In conjunction with an announcement from a World Health Organisation consultation in Geneva, the SMC gathered reactions from leading experts on the ongoing controversy over research into the H5N1 flu virus. read more
expert reaction to nuclear energy agreement between UK and France
The SMC collected comments in response to news that the UK and France signed a joint declaration that signalled a shared commitment to civil nuclear power, paving the way for new nuclear power plants in the UK. read more
medical devices, safety and regulation
Following heavy media interest in breast and hip implants in 2011, some commentators have argued that EU-wide regulation must be overhauled, while others have warned too much red-tape will be detrimental for patients. The SMC gathered experts from biomechanics, clinical practice and regulation for a background briefing on the regulation of medical devices. read more
annual health inequalities data from Professor Sir Michael Marmot
Professor Sir Michael Marmot published a review of health inequalities in England in February 2010, laying out a framework by which inequalities could be monitored. Sir Michael came to the SMC to comment on health inequalities since the Coalition Government came to power, based on the most recent figures for this framework. read more
transposition of EU Animals Directive into UK law
The new EU Directive on animal research aims to harmonise animal welfare standards and regulations across the Union, and now the UK has to decide how to incorporate the Directive into UK law. With animal rights groups accusing the scientific community of diluting welfare standards, this background briefing gave leading figures from medical research institutions the chance to speak about what they are actually calling for and why. read more
leading medical science institutions comment on updating UK law on animal research
The SMC held a background briefing on the transposition of a European Directive on animal research into UK law, and leading medical institutions provided additional comments. read more
expert reaction to new research on childhood maltreatment, as published in PNAS
A study into how maltreatment in childhood can have an effect on areas of the brain that control stress response was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. read more
DSM5: new psychiatry bible broadens definitions of mental illness
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the world’s most widely used psychiatric bible. The development of the new, fifth version of the DSM has proved highly controversial among the mental health research community, with fears that too many people could become defined as mentally ill. The SMC invited two leading psychiatrists to discuss the implications of DSM5. read more
expert reaction to the draft fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
Accompanying a press briefing on the same subject, the SMC gathered comments from the mental health community on the proposed fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. read more
expert reaction to Bexarotene reversing Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice as published in Science Express
Science Express pubilshed details of a mouse study which showed the compound Bexarotene could reverse the build up of amyloid in the brain, one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. read more
expert reaction to research on the potential use of genetically modified monkeys for modelling human brain diseases, as published in Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports published a proposition that genetically modified monkeys might be used to conduct research into human brain diseases. read more
expert reaction to Bexarotene reversing Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice as published in Science Express
Science Express pubilshed details of a mouse study which showed the compound Bexarotene could reverse the build up of amyloid in the brain, one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. read more
expert reaction to EASA’s decision to order Airbus to inspect all A380s for wing cracks
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered all 68 Airbus A380 superjumbo planes in operation to be checked following the discovery of cracks in wing components. read more
dodgy science headlines: PR can share the blame
Two weeks ago I was called to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry. It was a nerve-wracking ordeal but also … read more
mental health service recommendations in the NHS and suicide rates
The SMC hosted the launch of a 10-year study of mental health service recommendations in the NHS, and the effect the implementation of these recommendations has had on suicide rates across England and Wales. The authors of the report, published in the Lancet, included the National Clinical Director for Health and Criminal Justice Professor Louis Appleby. read more
reaction from the science and engineering community to the resignation of Chris Huhne
After the news that Chris Huhne, the former coalition minister for energy and climate change, had resigned from Cabinet due to charges being brought against him, the SMC gathered responses from the science and engineering community. read more