Author Archives: Science Media Centre
COMARE 14th report on incidence of childhood cancer around nuclear power plants in Great Britain
Latest report from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE). read more
Science paper on foot-and-mouth disease transmission
A new paper published in Science improved understanding of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) transmission between cattle and may offer the potential for alternatives to culling by allowing more effective identification of infected animals. read more
expert reaction to new research on role of neurogenesis in antidepressant response to be published in Molecular Psychiatry
Research suggested that antidepressants may have neuroprotective actions in the brain. read more
EuroStemCell briefing – experts raise the alarm
A group of leading stem cell scientists raised the alarm over a European Court of Justice case they say could block all development of embryonic-stem-cell-based therapies in Europe, following a statement from the Advocate General making recommendations that would amount to a ban on patents for embryonic stem cell related technologies.
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HFEA review of methods to avoid mitochondrial disease
On the publication of a review by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on methods to avoid this specific subset of genetic disorders, Prof Robin Lovell-Badge came to the SMC to explain the background for journalists. read more
expert reaction to the report on mitochondrial disease commissioned by the HFEA
To coincide with the publication of the HFEA’s review of the safety and efficacy of techniques to avoid mitochondrial disease, a specific subset of genetic disorders. read more
expert reaction to bipolar disorder in the news
Bipolar disorder in the headlines after Catherine Zeta Jones revealed that she had the disorder read more
The Lancet series on still births
Launch of a new special series on still births, including rates in different countries and how to reduce them. read more
expert reaction to the raised severity rating at Fukushima
The Japanese government raised the severity level of the Fukushima incident to 7, the highest on the scale. read more
biofuels: ethical issues
The SMC hosted the Nuffield Council on Bioethics for this briefing to launch their report on the ethical and social issues raised by current and new types of biofuels, as well as the wide range of UK and European policies and targets that are encouraging their uptake. read more
European Nitrogen Assessment
The 5-year European Nitrogen Assessment (ENA) drew together 200 experts to understand the sources and impacts of nitrogen as a basis to inform future policy development. The authors briefed journalists prior to the publication of the Assessment. read more
reaction to latest Japan aftershock
A magnitude 7 aftershock struck the coast of Japan, the largest since the initial earthquake. read more
expert reaction to paper on structural brain damage risk in long term ecstasy users
Preliminary research suggesting that long-term ecstasy use can cause structural brain damage. read more
simply irresistible: the fight against superbugs
To coincide with World Health Day 2011, which has antibiotic resistance as its theme, the SMC invited journalists to hear some of the latest developments from five experts in the field. read more
expert encounter on bees and pesticides
Amid widespread media coverage implicating agricultural pesticides in the global decline in bees, and calls for a ban on certain types of insecticides and pesticides, the SMC invited Dr Jeff Pettis, a leading international expert on bee health issues, to present the findings of his recently published research into agricultural pesticides and bee health. read more
expert reaction to new research on exceptional visual ability in people with autism as published in the journal Human Brain Mapping
Research suggested that people with autism may have more highly-developed visual centres in the brain. read more
experts reactions to new research on epigenetics and stem cell reprogramming as published in Nature
Environmental impacts on gene regulation may have an impact on stem cell development, according to new research. read more
genes and Alzheimer’s disease
New research published in Nature Genetics identified new genetic variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease, giving clues as to why people get the disease and how it progresses, and potentially leading to new treatments in the future. read more
UK space agency briefing
The SMC hosted this briefing on the new UK Space Agency and its strategy for the next five years. read more
new research on conduct disorder in teenagers
Experts discussed their research on conduct disorder, a a psychiatric condition characterised by increased aggressive and antisocial behaviour which can develop in childhood or adolescence. read more