Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to explosion at nuclear facility in France
An explosion occurred at a nuclear fuel processing facility in France. Although one person was killed, there was no leak of radioactivity and damage was limited. read more
expert reaction to BMJ paper on mortality gap for those with serious mental illness
A retrospective study found that people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder were more likely to die of other serious medical conditions . read more
expert reaction to production of mouse sperm cells in the lab, as published in Nature Communications
In this study researchers succeeded in producing mouse sperm cells, allowing the process of sperm formation to be studied in the laboratory. read more
staying one step ahead of the cheats – the science behind anti-doping testing
In the first of four SMC briefings held at the 2011 British Science Festival in Bradford, experts involved in the anti-doping programme during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games talked about the latest research and developments in testing. read more
expert reaction to fatherhood and reduced testosterone levels, as published in PNAS
New evidence suggested that fatherhood reduces testosterone production in men. read more
expert reaction to the biological effects of day care as published in The Biologist, a journal of the Society of Biology
An article by psychologist Aric Sigman claimed to link day care with various biological effects in children. read more
expert reaction to paper in Nature Methods describing methods to genetically modify the domestic cat
Scientists in the US demonstrated a method of genetically modifying the domestic cat, which could provide an important new technique in HIV research. read more
expert reaction to paper in The Lancet evaluating Weight Watchers referral in comparison with standard care
A study looked at the evidence for the effectiveness of weight loss programmes in comparison with standard care and advice. read more
expert encounter: Prof Alan Thorpe
Professor Alan Thorpe, previously Director of the Hadley Centre, then Chief Executive of the Natural Environment Research Council and now new Director-General of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), discussed the latest science behind climate modelling and weather forecasting. read more
expert encounter: Thomas Insel
The Director of the US National Institute of Mental Health, the world’s largest specialist mental health research organisation, offered reporters an overview of the field and his views on the latest in research and treatment of mental illness. read more
size and burden of mental disorders
Experts briefed the media in advance of a significant review of the prevalence and impact of mental health and other disorders of the brain across Europe, updating a similar study from 2005. read more
expert reaction to study of chocolate consumption and heart health
A new paper summarised the evidence for chocolate being associated with reduced risk of heart disease. read more
expert reaction to discovery of antipsychotic drugs in packs of Nurofen Plus
A warning was issued after packs of the popular painkiller were found to contain prescription-only antipsychotic drugs. read more
The Lancet series on obesity
The SMC hosted The Lancet for this launch of a series of papers on the developing global obesity epidemic. read more
expert reaction to new research on cosmic rays and cloud formation, as published in Nature
Research suggested a new model by which cosmic rays may interact with atmospheric aerosols during cloud formation. read more
comment on oil spill in the North Sea
A leak from a flowline to the Shell-operated Gannet Alpha platform caused the biggest oil spill in the North Sea for a decade. read more
expert reaction to new study of maternal obesity and risk of asthma in adolescence
Associations between maternal obesity and asthma symptoms in adolescents. read more
expert reaction to new research on the key to caffeine’s anti-cancer properties
New research identified the likely mechanism by which caffeine reduces the risk of the commonest form of skin cancer. read more
expert reaction to paper reporting radioactive sulphur from Fukushima detected in California
Research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported measurements of radioactive sulphur from the Fukushima nuclear plant in California. read more
childhood maltreatment and depression
A meta-analysis carried out by experts from the Institute of Psychiatry revealed new evidence about the association between maltreatment during childhood and the onset of recurrent depression later in life. read more