Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to calls by the National Association of Headteachers for the drug mephedrone to be banned
The calls have arisen following the deaths of several teenagers which were thought to be linked to use of the drug. read more
expert reaction to research suggesting that the contraceptive pill is not associated with increased long-term risk of death, as published in the BMJ
The study, one of the biggest to date, shows that there is a lower overall risk of death, from any cause, in women who have ever taken the contraceptive pill. read more
expert reaction to British Fertility Society’s new guidance on acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, as published in the journal Human Fertility
The British Fertility Society’s advice refers to the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine by women with fertility problems to help them to conceive. read more
nuclear build: a vote of no confidence?
In a new report, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) argues that, to ensure a secure and reliable power supply, the UK faces a choice: as well as pursuing the large-scale deployment of renewables, we must either sustain (or increase) our reliance on fossil fuel generation, or commit to a second wave of nuclear build from 2025 onwards. Key authors of the report came to the SMC to discuss the report and the decisions that we face on nuclear new build. read more
expert reaction to story regarding overdose of BCG vaccine in a baby in Scunthorpe
The baby was accidentally given 10 times the normal dose of the tuberculosis vaccine BCG – he was subsequently treated in hospital but his life was not thought to be in danger. read more
detection and attribution of climate change
A new review of the latest climate research, led by the UK Met Office, was published this week in Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Climate Change. The paper falls between IPCC Assessment Reports and reviews progress on detection and attribution since AR4 (2007) with a particular focus on regional changes, and drawing conclusions about human influence over various aspects of climate. Two of the authors presented their findings at the SMC. read more
my life in a parallel universe
I was talking about science in the media on a panel at the Westminster Media Forum conference last week along with Ben Goldacre, author … read more
why pain researchers are in pain
It’s a poorly kept secret that the NHS is not good at dealing with pain – especially of the long term chronic type that causes misery to millions worldwide. The SMC discovered that there is frenetic activity in the field of pain research and clinical practise, and invited five of the UK’s top pain researchers and clinicians to bring journalists up to date on the latest developments. read more
expert reaction to the earthquake in Chile
Chile has been struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes in the country’s history, causing over 700 deaths so far and forcing many others out of their homes. read more
expert comments on new study casting doubt over ME virus link, as published in the BMJ
In addition to other recent research findings, this new study casts further doubt on previously identified links between a particular virus (known as XMRV) and chronic fatigue syndrome/ME. read more
Foresight: land use futures
An analysis of the future of land use in the UK by Foresight, the futures think tank based in the Government Office for Science, covers the whole spectrum of land use from urban to rural. It looks at the major challenges in land use across the UK over the next 50 years, including climate change, flooding and water shortages. read more
Catlin Arctic Survey 2010 – ocean acidification
The Catlin Arctic Survey 2010 is a scientific mission to assess how rising acidity is affecting the balance of life in the Arctic Ocean. Setting off in March 2010, it will involve nine weeks of extreme field work and long range expedition. Research teams from Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche and the Institute of Ocean Science (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) will be joining a shoreline Ice Base to conduct their own ‘acid test’ programmes to improve understanding of the state of the Arctic Ocean itself and the impact of rising CO2 absorption on essential forms of marine life. read more
experts comment on new research into the risk of stillbirth following IVF/ICSI, as published in the journal Human Reproduction
The research suggested that the risk of stillbirth could be higher in association with certain types of IVF treatment. read more
reaction to announcement on homeopathy from Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health
The announcement from Prince Charles’ Foundation concerns a piece of research which purports to show evidence in support of homeopathy. read more
comment on study into genomic sequencing and cancer, as published in Science Translational Medicine
Research presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego suggests a personalised blood test could be developed to detect cancer, and could be available within the next five years. read more
expert comments on new research into the fumes produced when pan-frying meat, as published in the BMJ specialist Journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine
The research indicates that frying meat on a gas hob could be less healthy than cooking with electricity, and could raise the risk of health impacts due to the fumes and fine particles given off during cooking. read more
animal diseases and food security
With livestock diseases posing a real and growing threat to global food security and livelihoods in developing countries, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Department for International Development (DFID) have announced £13M of major new research projects to tackle the livestock disease threat. The Chair of the initiative came to the SMC along with leading scientists to launch the programme and discuss the threats posed by livestock disease. read more
Science and Technology Committee Report on homeopathy
The SMC hosted the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee for this briefing to launch the Committee’s report on homeopathy, including the evidence for its effectiveness and whether it should be made available through the NHS. read more
the independent Climate Change Email Review – an introduction
The independent Climate Change Email Review was announced in December 2009 after emails from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit were hacked and published online. Sir Muir Russell, Chair of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland and former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, was appointed to lead the review. At this briefing Sir Muir introduced members of the team, explain the remit of the review and clarify the issues that it will be investigating. read more
expert reaction to the launch of the Climate Change Emails inquiry
The official review into the leaking of emails from the University of East Anglia Climate Research Unit was officially launched today. read more