Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to sequencing and analysis of the wheat genome
A sequencing and analysis of the bread wheat genome, published in Nature, identified genes associated with crop productivity and offers a valuable source of information on this important crop and future wheat improvement. read more
expert reaction to EFSA report conclusion that Séralini study conclusions were not supported by data
The European Food Safety Authority’s final review reaffirmed its initial assessment that Séralini et al’s conclusions, in a paper in Food and Chemical Toxicology which linked GM maize to the development of tumours in rats, cannot be regarded as scientifically sound because of inadequacies in the design, reporting and analysis of the study. read more
expert reaction to WMO’s annual statement on the state of the global climate
The World Meteorological Organisation released figures indicating that global warming has yet to return to levels seen in the 1990s, and that 2012 is set to be the ninth hottest since records began. read more
expert reaction to new paper comparing observed with predicted sea level and global temperature
Sea-levels are rising 60 per cent faster than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) central projections, new research published in Environmental Research Letters suggests, while temperature rises appear to be consistent with the projections. read more
expert reaction to news of MMR vaccine coverage in under-twos reaching highest rates since 1997-98
New figures show that MMR vaccine uptake rates are the highest in 14 years since the Dr Wakefield autism scandal, with more than nine in ten children having the jab. read more
air pollution and autism
A study in Archives of General Psychiatry suggested exposure to traffic-related air pollution, particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide during pregnancy and during the first year of a child’s life appears to be associated with an increased risk of autism. read more
expert reaction to new research suggesting an association between air pollution and autism
A study in Archives of General Psychiatry suggested exposure to traffic-related air pollution, particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide during pregnancy and during the first year of a child’s life appears to be associated with an increased risk of autism. read more
expert reaction to UK rainfall and flooding
The UK has been experiencing high levels of rainfall in late November 2012, leading to local flooding across the country. … read more
The National Institute for Health Research: research for health and wealth
In her role as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Sally Davies provides independent advice to the Government on medical matters, with particular responsibilities regarding Public Health read more
ADHD treatments and criminal activity
pharmacological treatments. Untreated ADHD is often associated with antisocial behaviour, substance misuse and criminal activity. read more
physical weakness and premature death
A cohort study of one million participants, published in the BMJ, found low muscle strength in adolescence was strongly associated with a greater risk of early death from several major causes. read more
expert reaction to physical weakness and premature death
A cohort study of one million participants, published in the BMJ, found low muscle strength in adolescence was strongly associated with a greater risk of early death from several major causes. read more
expert reaction to spinal cord regeneration in dogs
Researchers publishing in the journal Brain have shown it is possible to restore co-ordinated limb movement in dogs with severe spinal cord injury, using a unique type of stem cell to regenerate the damaged part of the dogs’ spines. read more
expert reaction to meningitis B vaccine recommendation
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended for approval a meningitis B vaccine from Novartis. This would be the first vaccine to be licensed for this strain of meningitis, whichaccounts for the vast majority of cases in the UK. read more
expert reaction to new research into probiotic worm treatment of monkeys with colitis
A study, published in PLoS Pathogens, showed monkeys with chronic diarrhoea could be treated by microscopic parasite worm (helminth) eggs. The similarity of the condition to inflammatory bowel diseases provides hope for developing human treatments. read more
alcohol consumption during pregnancy
A study published in PLoS ONE suggested drinking one or two glasses of wine a week during pregnancy can have a negative impact on a child’s IQ. read more
expert reaction to new research into alcohol consumption during pregnancy
A study published in PLoS ONE suggested drinking one or two glasses of wine a week during pregnancy can have a negative impact on a child’s IQ. read more
civilian unmanned aircraft
Could Civilian Unmanned Aircraft (CUA) herald the next major aerospace revolution? Ideally suited to doing jobs that are ‘dull, dangerous or dirty’, they could help safeguard the environment, critical national infrastructure, our security and quality of life without putting aircrews at risk and at lower cost than conventional aircraft and satellite systems. read more
controlling infection through DNA sequencing
New, faster sequencing technologies have revolutionised our understanding of genomes, exemplified, for example, in the work of the ENCODE Consortium that described new exploration of the human genome. But it is in tackling infectious agents that widespread application of new sequencing technologies is likely to be used most quickly and comprehensively for healthcare improvement. read more
Schizophrenia Commission findings
Schizophrenia affects over 220,000 people in England and an estimated 1 in 6 people will experience some symptoms of psychosis at some stage in their lives. read more