Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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.
read more
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.
read more
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
proposal to reduce resources of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee
The House of Lords was debating whether to cut resources of their Science and Technology Select Committee, which would lead to a 50% reduction in the number of inquiries which the Committee could run. read more
expert reaction to high-dose co-codamol found in low-dose packets
In response to a warning from the MHRA that packets of co-codamol were in circulation which almost four times the advertised strength, the SMC sent out quotes. read more
antidepressants and hypertension in pregnancy
A study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology suggested that use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy was linked with increased risk of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. read more
expert reaction to study of antidepressants and hypertension in pregnancy
A study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology suggested that use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy was linked with increased risk of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. The SMC sent out comments and a Before The Headlines analysis. read more
expert reaction to the application of monkey research to human heart disease
A meta-analysis of research, published in PLoS ONE, into whether social status could predict heart disease in monkeys concluded that such research could not be applied to humans. read more
expert reaction to new research into possible biomarkers to predict heart attacks
A paper in Science Translational Medicine suggested that a new test could potentially predict a heart attack a week or two before the event happened by spotting abnormal cells in blood vessels. read more
scientific community response to 2012 budget
Following the announcement in the Budget of extra funding for science and technology, and the Coalition’s aim of making Britain into Europe’s technology “centre”, the SMC sent out comments from scientific leaders. read more