Author Archives: Science Media Centre
foresight: global food and farming futures
A new report from the government’s Foresight programme examined the mounting pressures on food and farming over the next 40 years, including how to ensure that global food supplies are stable and affordable for all. read more
expert reaction to HFEA public consultation on sperm and egg donation
Comments on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s public consultation into its policies on egg and sperm donation. read more
HFEA launches public consultation into donation policies
The Humn Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) launched a public consultation into its policies on egg and sperm donation, seeking views on issues including compensation for donors, the number of families a donor can donate to, and donation within families. read more
expert comments on flooding in Australia
An expert comments on flooding in Australia. read more
GM chickens – stopping the spread of avian flu
Research published in Science identified a way of genetically modifying chickens so that they would be unable to transmit the avian flu virus, as a possible means of tackling avian flu. read more
comment on the announcement by NOAA that 2010 tied with 2005 as warmest year on Earth
Comment on the announcement by the National Climatic Data Center of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that 2010 tied with 2005 as the warmest year on Earth since their records began in 1880. read more
population: one planet, too many people?
With global population expected to reach ten billion by the end of this century, a new report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers looked at the future we could face in terms of stresses on the planet’s natural resources, as well as on other human requirements such as sanitation, energy and transportation, and the solutions we will expect engineering to provide. read more
expert reaction to new research on painkillers and heart attacks/strokes, as published in the British Medical Journal
The research suggested that taking certain painkillers daily over a long period of time may lead to a slightly raised risk of heart attack and stroke. read more
AMS review of research regulation
The SMC co-ran this briefing with the Academy of Medical Sciences to mark the publication of the Academy’s review of the regulation and governance of health research in the UK. read more
expert reaction to the AMS report on the regulation of health research
A report published by the Academy of Medical Sciences called for improvements in the regulation and governance of health research in the UK. read more
expert reaction to dioxin found in eggs from German farms
Food was withdrawn from supermarket shelves as a precautionary measure after it was found that they contained eggs contaminated with dioxins. read more
experts react to the latest weekly national influenza report and questions on vaccine availability
The Health Protection Agency’s weekly figures on swine flu revealed that eleven more people died from swine flu in the previous week, taking the total to 50 for this winter. The release also addressed questions over whether enough vaccine had been made available. read more
the social brain
Ahead of the British Neuroscience Association’s Christmas Symposium, the SMC invited several leading experts into the Centre to brief the media on their respective areas of research, including the evolutionary and neural mechanisms that govern our need for social activity. read more
scientists comment on announcement of closure to Forensic Science Service
James Brokenshire, minister for crime reduction, announced on Tuesday 14th December the closure of the Forensic Science Service (FSS). read more
scientists comment on paper on insulin producing cells from human sperm stem cells
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have taken tissue from human testicles that produce sperm, grafted them onto diabetic mice and showed that blood sugar levels can be controlled for up to a week because they produce insulin. Published in American Society for Cell Biology. read more
submission to BIS consultation on the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees
In December 2010, the Science Media Centre contributed to a BIS consultation on the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory … read more
expert reaction to new method for testing fetal genetics, to be published in Science Translational Medicine
A blood test for pregnant women that could detect virtually any genetic disorder in an unborn child without risking miscarriage has been developed by scientists. read more
transforming the fight against tuberculosis
The World Health Organisation asked leading science and health experts to assess the science and impact of a new tabletop kit that can provide an accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis in just over one hour. read more
The Lancet aspirin and cancer briefing
The SMC hosted the Lancet for this briefing on a recent study which found that taking a daily low-dose of aspirin may significantly reduce the risk of developing several cancers. read more
expert reaction to a study on mobile phones and behaviour, as published in a BMJ specialist journal
Research, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, a BMJ specialist journal, linked mobile phone use with behavioural problems. read more