Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to new anatomical study of the G-Spot
A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine purported to document that the G-Spot does anatomically exist, despite the fact the structure of this elusive structure has never previously been determined.
expert reaction to study of glutamate inhibitors and autism-like behaviours in mice
A drug targeting the actions of glutamate, a chemical substance in the brain was found to reduce repetitive behavior and partially reversed lack of sociability in mice, symptoms regarded as key indicators of autism, said a study in Science Translational Medicine. read more
expert reaction to reports of cancer risk from artificial sweeteners
At a cancer conference, an unpublished study was announced which found that mice were at increased risk of developing cancer after consuming the artificial sweetener sucralose. read more
synthetic biology – why all the hype?
Synthetic biology is being touted as the new revolution that will enable biology to do for us what harnessing physics and chemistry have done in the past. But given the history of new technologies stumbling at the starting block, why should synthetic biology be any different?
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expert reaction to Novartis suing NHS for using Avastin
The drug company Novartis decided to pursue legal action against the NHS for use of Avastin, a cheaper alternative to its drug Lucentis, to treat a common cause of vision loss. read more
carbon capture and storage: realising the potential?
The SMC was the venue for the launch of the final report of a two year UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) project on the key challenges facing carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the UK, technologies seen by some as a crucial component of future low carbon energy systems. The project used historical precedents to examine alternative pathways for CCS to 2030, ranging from success to failure. read more
expert reaction to transplantation of photoreceptors in mice
Research demonstrating the feasibility of restoring vision after retinal degeneration by transplanting photoreceptor cells was published in Nature, by demonstrating functional vision in visually impaired adult mice having undergone transplantation.
expert reaction to genetically modified zebrafish that glow in response to environmental pollutants
A study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives described how zebrafish had been genetically modified to glow when exposed to particular pollutants. read more
expert reaction to new research into speed and ecstasy and teen depression
Teenagers using speed and ecstasy were found to be prone to subsequent depression, indicated research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, independently of previous bouts of depressive symptoms or other drug use. read more
expert reaction to new research into opium use and mortality
A study in the British Medical Journal suggested that long term opium use was associated with almost double the risk of death from causes including circulatory diseases, respiratory conditions and cancer. read more
expert reaction to independent report into fracking
independent scientific report to DECC on fracking and earthquakes near Blackpool
The Department of Energy and Climate Change commissioned an independent report into how hydraulic fracturing in Lancashire was linked to 2 minor earthquakes. Following on from a report by Cuadrilla, the company responsible, the scientists who authored the DECC report came to the SMC to present their conclusions and recommendations. A roundup of quotes from other leading experts was also sent out. read more
expert reaction to Himalayan glacier measurements
Glaciers in the Karakoram mountain range, located at the intersection of China, India and Pakistan, have been stable despite global mass loss of mountain glaciers, according to a paper published in Nature Geoscience. read more
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