Author Archives: Science Media Centre
annual health inequalities data from Professor Sir Michael Marmot
Professor Sir Michael Marmot published a review of health inequalities in England in February 2010, laying out a framework by which inequalities could be monitored. Sir Michael came to the SMC to comment on health inequalities since the Coalition Government came to power, based on the most recent figures for this framework. read more
transposition of EU Animals Directive into UK law
The new EU Directive on animal research aims to harmonise animal welfare standards and regulations across the Union, and now the UK has to decide how to incorporate the Directive into UK law. With animal rights groups accusing the scientific community of diluting welfare standards, this background briefing gave leading figures from medical research institutions the chance to speak about what they are actually calling for and why. read more
leading medical science institutions comment on updating UK law on animal research
The SMC held a background briefing on the transposition of a European Directive on animal research into UK law, and leading medical institutions provided additional comments. read more
expert reaction to new research on childhood maltreatment, as published in PNAS
A study into how maltreatment in childhood can have an effect on areas of the brain that control stress response was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. read more
DSM5: new psychiatry bible broadens definitions of mental illness
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the world’s most widely used psychiatric bible. The development of the new, fifth version of the DSM has proved highly controversial among the mental health research community, with fears that too many people could become defined as mentally ill. The SMC invited two leading psychiatrists to discuss the implications of DSM5. read more
expert reaction to the draft fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
Accompanying a press briefing on the same subject, the SMC gathered comments from the mental health community on the proposed fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. read more
expert reaction to Bexarotene reversing Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice as published in Science Express
Science Express pubilshed details of a mouse study which showed the compound Bexarotene could reverse the build up of amyloid in the brain, one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. read more
expert reaction to research on the potential use of genetically modified monkeys for modelling human brain diseases, as published in Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports published a proposition that genetically modified monkeys might be used to conduct research into human brain diseases. read more
expert reaction to Bexarotene reversing Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice as published in Science Express
Science Express pubilshed details of a mouse study which showed the compound Bexarotene could reverse the build up of amyloid in the brain, one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. read more
expert reaction to EASA’s decision to order Airbus to inspect all A380s for wing cracks
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered all 68 Airbus A380 superjumbo planes in operation to be checked following the discovery of cracks in wing components. read more
dodgy science headlines: PR can share the blame
Two weeks ago I was called to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry. It was a nerve-wracking ordeal but also … read more
mental health service recommendations in the NHS and suicide rates
The SMC hosted the launch of a 10-year study of mental health service recommendations in the NHS, and the effect the implementation of these recommendations has had on suicide rates across England and Wales. The authors of the report, published in the Lancet, included the National Clinical Director for Health and Criminal Justice Professor Louis Appleby. read more
reaction from the science and engineering community to the resignation of Chris Huhne
After the news that Chris Huhne, the former coalition minister for energy and climate change, had resigned from Cabinet due to charges being brought against him, the SMC gathered responses from the science and engineering community. read more
expert reaction to a lab test that indicates some compounds containing silver have cytotoxic properties
A paper in the chemistry journal Dalton Transactions showed how silver can kill cancer cells in the test tube. read more
expert reaction to HPA announcement about salmonella cases
The Health Protection Agency announced that an outbreak of ‘Salmonella Newport’ may have been linked to watermelons. read more
expert reaction to study of MRSA virulence, as published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases
Scientists react to a study into strains of MRSA that spread in the community rather than in hospitals, recommending controlled use of antibiotics. read more
expert reaction to study of β-Amyloid burden and cognitive changes as published in Neurology
A paper in the journal Neurology showed that high levels of the protein amyloid beta in the brain, which is correlated with Alzheimer’s disease, is also associated with decreased brain function in healthy adults. read more
expert reaction to research into addiction vulnerability and the brain, as published in Science
A paper in the journal Science into the subtleties of cause and effect in brain abnormalities and addiction. read more
underground, overground, neither is free: the future of UK electricity transmission
An independent report from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, in association with engineering firm Parsons Brinkerhoff and requested by the Infrastructure Planning Commission, was presented at the SMC. The report examines the costs of the different ways of transmitting electricity across the UK to inform upcoming planning decisions for updating the grid. read more
expert reaction to study linking PPIs with increased risk of hip fracture
A new BMJ paper strengthened the association between regular use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – a treatment for heartburn, ulcers and reflux – and risk of hip fracture in post-menopausal women. read more