Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to research into the association between IQ and cardiovascular disease, as published in European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation
Scientists have found that a low IQ may be a predictor of heart disease and death, to a significant level second only to smoking. Experts, however, pointed out the caveats in the authors’ intepretation of their results. read more
thoughts on ‘Climategate’
I don’t suppose I’m the first person to have lost sleep over climate change but it’s certainly keeping me awake … read more
The Marmot Review: Fair Society, Healthy Lives
Prof Sir Michael Marmot was asked to lead an independent review into the perceived widespread persistence of health inequalities in England, and to give an evidence-based strategy for future policies. With the Review now completed, key authors of the report announced their conclusions at the Science Media Centre. read more
bovine TB and badgers: to cull or not to cull?
New research published in the journal PLoS ONE examines the long-term effects of badger culling and its effectiveness in reducing the transmission of cattle TB by wild badgers. Lead authors of the research presented their work and addressed some of these issues. read more
expert reaction to research in Thorax (a BMJ specialist journal) investigating a link between HRT and asthma
Scientists have discovered a potential link between the use of estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy and a raise risk of developing asthma following the onset of menopause. read more
comments on research suggesting a link between beer and bone health, as published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
A study of a range of beers has found that beer contains high levels of silicon, suggesting that it could be a dietary source of the element, although the study looked only at silicon content and did not directly investigate potential dietary implications. read more
where now for climate science?
Following the controversy over leaked emails from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit, along with a cold winter and an underwhelming summit meeting in Copenhagen, public perception of climate science and scientists is at a low ebb. The SMC organised this briefing with three senior scientists to review the evidence provided by climate science and talk about any uncertainty in science, what damage has been done by recent scandals and where we go from here. read more
expert reaction to paper in Cell that investigates what causes sperm to start swimming
Scientists in the US have discovered a chemical switch that plays a key role in the development of sperm swimming ability and control of swimming speed. read more
experts comment on new research investigating brain activity in disorders of consciousness, as published in the New England Journal of Medicine
Scientists have claimed to have shown the first evidence of a ‘conversation’ held with a patient in a vegetative state using brain scanning technology, suggesting that patients who were thought to be unresponsive could have more awareness than previously thought. read more
experts react to the retraction of Andrew Wakefield’s 1998 Lancet paper
The Lancet has retracted Andrew Wakefield’s original 1998 paper which claimed to show a link between the MMR vaccine and autism in children, and has since been comprehensively disproved. read more
expert reaction to Obama’s announcement on NASA’s Constellation programme
President Obama has set out the future of the US space programme, including on whether future missions to the moon and beyond are likely to take place. read more
response to select committee review on principles of independent scientific advice
In February 2010, the Science Media Centre responded to the Commons Science and Technology Committee’s review of the principles that … read more
launch of new scientific committee on drugs, Media Show, the Met Office and Simon Jenkins
When Professor David Nutt called to ask if we would host the media launch of his new independent scientific committee on drugs, … read more
experts comment on Wakefield GMC case
Andrew Wakefield, the doctor who falsely claimed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, today faced judgement from the General Medical Council on his professional conduct and the ethical basis of his research. read more
new year round-up: ME, Susan Greenfield, and the future of science journalism
Encouraged by my colleagues, my new year’s resolution is to blog more and make it a bit more like a … read more
expert reaction to research investigating PFOA/PFOS and thyroid disease, as published in Environmental Health Perspectives
Experts have investigated the evidence for a link between PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluoroctane sulphonate), byproducts formed in the manufacture of non-stick surfaces, flame-resistant and waterproof items, and thyroid disease. read more
PFOA/PFOS and thyroid disease
PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluoroctane sulphonate) are byproducts formed in the manufacture of non-stick surfaces, flame-resistant and waterproof items. There is evidence from animal models that this family of chemicals (PFCs) can cause thyroid hormone imbalance and previous studies have also suggested workers exposed to very high PFOA may have changes in their thyroid hormone levels. In this first study of its kind, experts have investigated whether there is any evidence of such a link in the general population. To coincide with publication, the authors came to the SMC to brief journalists on their findings. read more
engineering a low-carbon built environment
The Royal Academy of Engineering has published a new report detailing the challenges facing the built environment in the 21st century, including meeting 2050 targets to cut carbon emissions from buildings and to make all buildings carbon-neutral by 2020. The speakers outlined the emerging discipline of building engineering physics, which enables designers to manipulate the characteristics of buildings to improve energy efficiency, and argued for government to prioritise the training of skilled people to carry out essential engineering work. read more
launch of new Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs
The Science Media Centre hosted the media launch of David Nutt’s new Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs, following his sacking from the governments Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). Four scientists, including Professor Nutt, briefed journalists on the background to the new council and its plans. read more
stem cell research in MS: What does the future hold?
The potential of stem cells as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) has been widely reported, but whether they will fulfil that potential remains unclear. A new £1million partnership between the MS Society and the UK Stem Cell Foundation (UKSCF) will, for the first time, provide specific funding for stem cell research in MS. Experts in the field briefed journalists on what the future holds, in particular, the promise of neural stem cells and the possibilities for repairing the damaged central nervous system. read more