Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to earthquake in Turkey
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Eastern Turkey killed at least seven people and trapped many more under collapsed buildings. read more
expert reaction to new research on the timing of UV exposure and skin cancer in mice, as published in PNAS
This paper presented new evidence that the link between UV light exposure and skin cancer may also be linked to the timing of the exposure. read more
expert reaction to research into fizzy drink consumption and violence as published in the journal Injury Prevention
A paper from American researchers highlighted what they saw as a potential relationship between consumption of fizzy drinks and violent behaviour. read more
scientists comment on the Galileo satellite launch
Europe’s first satellite-navigation spacecraft were launched into orbit. read more
mobile phones and cancer
New research in the BMJ added further evidence in the debate over the potential link between mobile phone use and cancer risk. read more
expert reaction to use of mobile phones and risk of brain tumours, as published in the BMJ
New research added further evidence in the debate over the potential link between mobile phone use and cancer risk. The SMC also sent out a Before The Headlines analysis. read more
climate scientists react to new data on the urban heat island effect on global temperature
Scientists at the Berkeley Earth project in the United States carried out an extensive new study on global temperature records and found unequivocal evidence of global warming, and confirming previous findings by Prof Phil Jones from the University of East Anglia. read more
Foresight: migration and climate change
This briefing launched the latest report from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Foresight programme, examining how the profound changes in natural and human environments across the world will influence and interact with patterns of global migration over the next 50 years. read more
expert reaction to HFEA meeting on compensating egg and sperm donors
The meeting held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority discussed whether egg and sperm donors should be compensated more than they currently receive. read more
expert reaction to new research into the use of steroids to treat premature babies, as published in the journal Science Translational Medicine
New research assessed the value of using steroids to treat premature babies. read more
expert reaction to study of Facebook networks and brain structure
A new study revealed an association between the size of certain brain regions and the number of friends a person has on social network sites. read more
expert reaction to European Court of Justice decision on patents on embryonic stem cell research
A ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union stated that research processes involving stem cells produced from human embryos cannot be patented. read more
expert reaction to series of papers on miscarriage diagnosis
Four new papers investigated the diagnosis of miscarriage. read more
diagnosing miscarriage
Four new studies investigating the diagnosis of miscarriage were published in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology; two of the lead authors briefed journalists on their findings and the implications. read more
expert reaction to Department of Health’s Obesity strategy
The Government set out a new plan to tackle obesity. read more
expert reaction to new research into pancreatic cancer and mouth bacteria, as published in Gut
Research drew a link between levels of oral bacteria and risk of developing pancreatic cancer. read more
expert reaction to the final report from the Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations following the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident
The report from Dr Mike Weightman found no significant safety concerns in the UK’s nuclear programme and gave no reason to prevent the building of new nuclear reactors in the UK. read more
exploring Lake Ellsworth
A British engineering team went to Antarctica this October for the first stage of a scientific mission to collect water and sediment samples from a lake buried beneath three kilometres of solid ice, and attempt to uncover clues about the evolution of life on Earth and other planets, and about the Earth’s past climate. read more
human bodies: donation for medicine and research
This briefing, run in collaboration with the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, launched their new report Human bodies: donation for medicine and research. The report considered how far we should go in trying to encourage people to donate their bodily material. read more
expert reaction to study of dietary supplements and mortality in older women
A new study looked at the potential long-term health consequences of dietary supplements in older women. read more