Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to a lab test that indicates some compounds containing silver have cytotoxic properties
A paper in the chemistry journal Dalton Transactions showed how silver can kill cancer cells in the test tube. read more
expert reaction to HPA announcement about salmonella cases
The Health Protection Agency announced that an outbreak of ‘Salmonella Newport’ may have been linked to watermelons. read more
expert reaction to study of MRSA virulence, as published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases
Scientists react to a study into strains of MRSA that spread in the community rather than in hospitals, recommending controlled use of antibiotics. read more
expert reaction to study of β-Amyloid burden and cognitive changes as published in Neurology
A paper in the journal Neurology showed that high levels of the protein amyloid beta in the brain, which is correlated with Alzheimer’s disease, is also associated with decreased brain function in healthy adults. read more
expert reaction to research into addiction vulnerability and the brain, as published in Science
A paper in the journal Science into the subtleties of cause and effect in brain abnormalities and addiction. read more
underground, overground, neither is free: the future of UK electricity transmission
An independent report from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, in association with engineering firm Parsons Brinkerhoff and requested by the Infrastructure Planning Commission, was presented at the SMC. The report examines the costs of the different ways of transmitting electricity across the UK to inform upcoming planning decisions for updating the grid. read more
expert reaction to study linking PPIs with increased risk of hip fracture
A new BMJ paper strengthened the association between regular use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – a treatment for heartburn, ulcers and reflux – and risk of hip fracture in post-menopausal women. read more
expert reaction to study of maternal support and hippocampus size
A paper published in PNAS found that the volume of the hippocampus correlated with childhood depression and with maternal behaviour in early childhood. read more
expert reaction to Defra’s UK Climate Change Risk Assessment report
A government report into the likely effects of climate change on the UK, identifying flooding as a major risk but highlighting some potential benefits.
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expert reaction to report from the Human Genomics Strategy Group
Report from the Human Genomics Strategy Group (HGSG)into how healthcare in the UK can benefit from genomic technology. read more
expert reaction to study of gender and mild memory loss in old age as published in Neurology
A paper in Neurology which suggested that men are at higher risk of the earliest signs of dementia, when compared to women. read more
expert reaction to study of overtime and depression as published in PLoS ONE
Data from middle-aged civil servants suggested that working long hours of overtime may predispose to major depressive episodes, as published in the journal PLoS ONE. read more
PFCs and antibodies
A paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that exposure to perflourinated compounds (PFCs) was associated with a reduced immune response to vaccinations in children. read more
expert reaction to antibody concentrations in children exposed to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), as published in JAMA
A paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that exposure to perflourinated compounds (PFCs) was associated with a reduced immune response to vaccinations in children. Along with quotes the SMC sent out a Fact Sheet and a Before The Headlines analysis. read more
psilocybin and the brain: fMRI studies and uses in psychotherapy
Two leading experts came to the SMC to discuss research into the effects on the brain of the active component in magic mushrooms. A paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences disclosed the effects of psilocybin on the brain through fMRI scans, while the authors of a paper in the British Journal of Psychiatry suggest that psilocybin could be a useful tool in psychotherapy. read more
expert reaction to preliminary data on stem cell trial for macular degeneration, as published in The Lancet
A paper published in The Lancet established the safety of a stem cell treatment for macular degeneration after a phase 1 clinical trial. read more
expert reaction to studies of magic mushrooms and the brain as published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the British Journal of Psychiatry
Two papers looked into the effects on the brain of psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, and its potential for use in treating depression. read more
expert reaction to preliminary data on stem cell trial for macular degeneration, as published in The Lancet
A paper published in The Lancet established the safety of a stem cell treatment for macular degeneration after a phase 1 clinical trial. read more
expert reaction to joint letter in Nature and Science agreeing to a 60-day pause on H5N1 research
A letter from leading scientists agreeing to a 60-day pause in controversial flu virus research was published in Nature and Science. read more
new funding for mitochondrial DNA transfer research
Together with the Wellcome Trust the SMC held a briefing for a significant funding announcement, allowing Newcastle University to expand their research into replacing defective mitochondrial DNA in a human embryo. This coincided with the government announcing a year-long public consultation, which guaranteed media interest. read more