Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study showing detrimental effects of a common genetic mutation in sperm
The study revealed detrimental effects on sperm function and fertility. read more
expert reaction to BBC Trust review of science
The BBC Trust published a report authored by Prof Steve Jones on science coverage across the BBC, reviewing accuracy and impartiality.
molecular farming of medicines in Europe
Researchers briefed journalists on the first clinical trial involving a monoclonal antibody produced from genetically modified plants, designed for use as a topical microbicide preventing HIV transmission between sexual partners. read more
expert reaction to Defra decision on badger culling in England
The government announced a plan to cull badgers in two pilot areas in south-west England to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis. read more
expert reaction to new research on the effects of prenatal exposure to maternal stress on later life as published in Translational Psychiatry
Research suggested that maternal stress suffered during pregnancy could be linked to children’s ability to cope with stress later in life. read more
scientists react to coalition pledges on animal research
The government announced pledges to reduce the numbers of animals used in medical research, while supporting the use of animals where no alternative is currently possible. read more
expert encounter: Sir Andrew Dillon
Last year the SMC ran an Expert Encounter with Andrew Dillon, head of the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which proved extremely interesting. Given the profile of the NHS in the media this year we decided to invite him back and ask him to set out the future of NICE and answer other questions from journalists. read more
expert reaction to the industrial explosion in Lincolnshire
Five people were killed in an explosion at a factory in Boston, Lincolnshire, which was believed to have been used as an illegal alcohol distillery. read more
expert reaction to CCC Adaptation Sub-Committee report on UK vulnerability to climate change
Latest report from the UK government’s Climate Change Committee. read more
statistics of scientific procedures on living animals 2010
The SMC invited the Home Office to present their annual statistics report on the number of scientific procedures carried out on animals during research in the previous year. Two scientists joined the inspectors to put the stats into the broader context of scientific development. read more
expert reaction to the Home Office annual statistics on the numbers of animals used in research
Scientists give background to Home Office’s latest report on the numbers of animals used in scientific research in the previous year. read more
expert reaction to the DECC white paper on Electricity Market Reforms
The white paper from the Department of Energy and Climate Change sets out proposed reforms to the electricity supply market. read more
airport tsunami – publication of new report
New research commissioned by JLT Re, a reinsurance company, and carried out with University College London, investigated the tsunami risk of ten of the world’s international airports. read more
expert reaction to Cochrane review of salt reduction and cardiovascular disease
A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials by the Cochrane Review looked at the association between reducing dietary salt and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. read more
expert reaction to paper on allergies and cancer risk in BMJ Open
New research examined the association between allergies and the risk of developing cancer. read more
just back from the World Conference of Science Journalists
I have just returned from the World Conference of Science Journalists in Doha. Sadly the conference had to be moved from Cairo … read more
grand challenges in global mental health
In the face of the global prevalence of mental health problems, and the frequent lack of cures or effective treatments, 400 experts from more than 60 countries came together to identify research that could, within the next decade, address some of these issues. Their findings were published in Nature. read more
expert reaction to new research on reduction of mental illness beds and involuntary detention to be published in BMJ
Reaction to research on the association between provision of beds for patients with mental illnesses and rates of involuntary admissions in the NHS. read more
comments on stories from EHSRE
Scientists offered comments on various stories to come out of the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology (ESHRE) in Stockholm. read more
expert reaction to new research on climate change over the decade 1998-2008, as published in PNAS
A paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) looked a trends in climate change between 1998-2008 and sought to reconcile this with observed temperatures. read more