Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to new research on cold northern European winters during a solar minimum, as published in Nature Geoscience
Researchers showed how changes in solar activity resulted in varying patterns in warm and cold weather during the past winter. read more
expert reaction to BMJ editorial on Coroners’ verdicts and suicide statistics in England and Wales
A BMJ editorial suggested that official statistics on suicide rates may have omitted some cases because of changes in the way that they are recorded. read more
expert reaction to new research into UVA and skin cancer, as published in Nature’s Journal of Investigative Dermatology
New research looked at the effect of UVA light and sunbeds on the risk of skin cancer. read more
expert reaction to the 2011 Nobel Prize for Chemistry
The Nobel Prize for chemistry was awarded to Prof Danny Shechtman for his discovery of quasicrystals, metallic alloys with very unusual structures. read more
expert reaction to new research on human embryonic stem cells, as published in Nature
New research used somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to produce early-stage embryos with three sets of chromosomes, which increased the efficiency with which stem cells could be derived. read more
expert reaction to European Brain Council report on costs of mental illness in Europe
The report assessed the economic costs of mental health disorders within Europe. read more
expert reaction to announcement of the Nobel Prize for Physics
This years Nobel Prize for Physics was awarded to Saul Perlmutter, Brian P. Schmidt and Adam G. Riess “for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae”.
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the perils of turning Greenland green
On 16 September we were alerted to a flurry of activity on the CRYOLIST discussion group. Glaciologists around the world, it seemed, … read more
expert reaction to George Osborne’s announcement on funding for graphene research
The Chancellor announced £50m in funding for research in technologies based on graphene. read more
expert reaction to 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine
This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly Bruce A. Beutler and Jules A. Hoffmann “for their discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity” and to Ralph M. Steinman “for his discovery of the dendritic cell and its role in adaptive immunity”. read more
genetic medicine: what do we want & what can we expect?
Ahead of further expected developments in the field of genetic medicine, the Science Media Centre arranged a background briefing in which four experts identified what they regarded as the key issues in the field, and discussed what to look for when these stories break. read more
expert reaction to research on alcohol-related behaviour changes and the immune system, as published in the British Journal of Pharmacology
Research from the University of Adelaide using mice suggested that immune cells in the brain may contribute to behavioural responses to alcohol. read more
‘flu season’ – strains, vaccines and epidemics
In advance of the 2011/12 flu season, this Science Media Centre and Society for General Microbiology briefing involved five experts in various aspects of seasonal and pandemic influenza, who discussed topics including virology, pathology, vaccine development, public health and surveillance. read more
cost of mental disorders
A new study by leading epidemiologists and health economists covering 30 countries investigated the cost of mental disorders throughout Europe. read more
club drugs – treating problem use
Experts from Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust launched a new approach to help treat problematic club drug use and help address changing patterns of drug use in the UK. read more
expert reaction to measurements of neutrino speed
Consternation reigned at CERN and the OPERA particle physics facility in Italy as experiments appeared to show neutrinos travelling faster than the speed of light. read more
expert reaction to announcement of human embryonic stem cell trial for macular degeneration
American biotechnology company Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) announced the launch of a clinical trial for a stem cell treatment for Stargard’s Disease, a condition that causes progressive blindness. read more
expert reaction to trial of seismologists in Italy for negligence
Six leading Italian scientists and one government official stood trial for manslaughter for alleged negligence following the deaths of over 300 people when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the city of L’Aquila in March 2009. read more
expert reaction to PNAS paper on pubertal delay in nonhuman primates (Macaca mulatta) treated with methylphenidate
A study in male rhesus monkeys found that long-term administration of the drug commonly known as Ritalin was associated with delay of signs associated with the onset of puberty. read more
expert reaction to Times Atlas publication showing Greenland to have lost 15% of its ice cover
Several scientists wrote a letter to the Times expressing concern over publicity material for the Times Atlas which suggested that Greenland had lost a significant amount of ice cover to a degree that was not supported by evidence. read more