Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to solar storm reaching Earth
Two major solar eruptions threatened to knock out communications systems, power supplies and even GPS navigation. read more
expert reaction to evidence of plutonium release after Fukushima
Evidence of the release of plutonium from Fukushima Daiichi was published in the journal Scientific Reports. Experts responded to underline the minimal health risks. read more
expert reaction to study showing propranolol reduces racial bias
Research published in Psychopharmacology suggested a surprising link between a drug for heart disease and people’s propensity for racial bias. read more
expert reaction to new research into fruit and veg consumption and skin colour
A study published in the journal PLoS ONE suggested a link between intake of fruit and vegetables and the ‘redness and yellowness’ of skin. read more
expert reaction to successful appeal of Prof John Walker-Smith in MMR misconduct case
Professor John Walker-Smith was struck off the medical register of the General Medical Council (GMC) for misconduct following the MMR controversy. The GMC reversed this ruling, and the SMC gathered responses. read more
DOMINO study into Alzheimer’s drugs and current NICE guidelines
The SMC was asked to host a briefing on the publication of the DOMINO study, which looked at the efficacy of two of the most commonly used Alzheimer’s drugs, Donepezil and Memantine, for patients in later stages of the disease – stages at which they would not be provided with Donepezil under NICE guidelines. read more
further expert reaction to Schmallenberg virus in the UK
Following an SMC briefing on the Schmallenberg virus infecting UK farms, further expert comments were released. read more
expert reaction to the arrest of the leader of the LulzSec hacker group
LulzSec are a group of hackers, affiliated to the Anonymous group, whose leader was arrested by the FBI and cooperated to give information about other hackers. read more
expert encounter with Dr Charles Elachi, director of NASA’s jet propulsion lab
Dr Charles Elachi, Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, came to the SMC to talk to UK journalists about current points of interest in space exploration, including details of the Curiosity rover due to land on Mars in August 2012. read more
Schmallenberg virus: what the science says
Leading scientists in virology and veterinary epidemiology were invited to the SMC for a background briefing on the Schmallenberg virus, an emerging livestock disease first detected in Germany that is infecting British farms and causing dramatic deformities in newborn lambs and calves. read more
ongoing expert reaction to Schmallenberg virus in the UK
To accompany a background brieifing the SMC ran on the emerging livestock disease caused by the Schmallenberg virus, comments from the speakers and a Fact Sheet on the virus were sent out. read more
expert reaction to internet-based cognitive behavioural treatments for adolescents with CFS
The Lancet published research into the the effectiveness of a web-based program of cognitive behavioural therapy that appeared to reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. read more
seeking views on novel neurotechnologies
The SMC hosted the Nuffield Council on Bioethics for the launch of their public consultation on ethical issues raised by new technologies and devices that intervene in the brain. The technologies could be used in health contexts as well as various military applications or in the development of computer games, and there are ethical issues over the possible consequences for individuals and society of some applications. read more
expert reaction to settlement exemption for scientists
A change to UK immigration regulations means that migrants in PhD-level positions are exempted from new restrictions on settlement. read more
expert reaction to paper on global mental health challenges
The SMC circulated reactions to a report on the challenges facing global mental health, published in PLoS Medicine. read more
expert reaction to study of outcomes of art therapy in schizophrenics
A paper in the BMJ looked at the efficacy of group art therapy for people with schizophrenia. read more
expert reaction to paper linking common sleeping pills with increased risk of death
A study published in BMJ Open reported an association between the use of several commonly used sedative drugs and an increase in the risk of dying from a number of causes. read more
expert reaction to recent cases of Schmallenberg livestock virus
The emerging livestock disease caused by the Schmallenberg virus hit the headlines after infecting a substantial number of British farms and causing major birth defects in sheep and cattle. read more
expert reaction to possible errors in OPERA neutrino measurement
News from the OPERA collaboration at CERN that they had found two possible sources of error in the apparent recording of neutrinos travelling faster than the speed of light. The SMC sent out responses. read more
expert reaction to new study on bisphenol A (BPA) and heart disease
A study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation showed the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) was associated with an increased risk of heart disease. read more