Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert comments on new research into mitochondrial DNA transfer in monkeys, as published in Nature
Scientists in the US have created monkeys whose mitochondrial DNA (DNA in the ‘powerhouses’ of the cells, separate from nuclear DNA) was swapped, replacing the mDNA from the mother with that of a donor cell. This technique raises the potential of treatments for genetic diseases caused by damage to mDNA. read more
experts comment on research concerning the vaccination of healthcare workers in Hong Kong against swine flu, as published in the British Medical Journal
Surveys of healthcare workers in Hong Kong reveal that a majority would refuse the vaccination, raising questions about the status of front line health workers in this country. read more
autonomous systems
Autonomous systems are likely to emerge in a number of areas over the coming decades. From unmanned vehicles to autonomous robotic surgery devices, applications for technologies that can operate without human control, learn as they function and effectively make decisions, are growing. These technologies can promise great benefits, replacing humans in tasks that are mundane, dangerous and dirty, or detailed and precise. They also have potential in allowing the remote performance of various functions, from defusing bombs to monitoring the ill or housebound. However, these technologies also raise a number of social , ethical and legal issues, some of which were addressed in this briefing, run in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering. read more
comments on research into the health effects of burning candles, as presented at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society
The research suggests that exposure to burning candles may increase the risk of cancer, as well as other ailments. However, scientists urged caution, saying that romantic candlelit dinners are not about to cause serious damage to your health. read more
an expert comments on new research on dark energy
A new research paper has shed doubt on the origins and nature of dark energy, which is already a mystery in itself. read more
expert comments on new research into DVT and the contraceptive pill, as published in the BMJ
The research suggests that women switching to a different type of contraceptive pill may be at a lower risk of deep vein thrombosis. read more
comment on new research into cancer stem cells, as published in the journal Cell
Researchers in the US have discovered a compound, salinomycin, can be used to kill the cells that cause cancer cells to grow and are implicated in cancer regrowth. The tests were carried out on breast cancer stem cells in mice, but may have implications for other types of cancer and may lead to the development of new drugs. read more
antivirals to treat swine flu in children
A systematic review of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) for treatment of influenza in children has been published in the British Medical Journal. The authors examined seven previous trials investigate the effectiveness of the antivirals in (i) treating the disease and (ii) preventing transmission, and they came to the SMC to present their findings. read more
antivirals for children in the BMJ – experts respond
Experts respond to research published in the British Medical Journal on the effectiveness of antivirals to treat children. read more
killing has never been easier: from joysticks to politics
Unmanned air vehicles, or drones, are increasingly being used in Afghanistan and elsewhere due to their ability to reach difficult terrain and stay airborne for long periods of time, at no risk to the lives of the military. However, robotics expert Prof Noel Sharkey has concerns over the expectations being loaded onto this new area of technology, which he feels are at odds with its ability to fulfil those expectations. At this briefing he explained these concerns, covering topis including the extent to which autonomous technology is being used in military operations and the extent to which they can really operate independently of human input. read more
expert comments on mouse stem cell paper to be published in Nature
Scientists in China have successfully demonstrated a new cloning technique which uses mouse skin cells which have been genetically reprogrammed to become embryonic stem cell-like cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). Furthermore, the scientists showed that they could successfully produce cloned adult mice from these cells, demonstrating their viability. read more
reaction to the IUSS report: Putting science and engineering at the heart of Government policy
Paul Jackson, Chief Executive of the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), said: “The IUSS Committee has once again demonstrated its … read more
publication of report: ‘Putting Science and Engineering at the Heart of Government Policy’
The Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee has published its report ‘Putting Science and Engineering at the Heart of Government Policy’. The report makes recommendations for the place of science in government policy and the independence of government scientific advisers. The SMC hosted members of the committee for this briefing to launch the report. read more
Home Office annual statistics on animal research
Once again, as in previous years, the SMC hosted the launch of the annual report and statistics on the numbers of animals used in scientific procedures in research, featuring, as usual, independent scientists to give scientific background and context. read more
reaction to report on annual statistics on animal research
Scientists and experts react to the annual statistics on the numbers of animals used in scientific research procedures, as published by the Home Office. read more
leading pharmacologist calls for life-saving drug to be more freely available
Leading pharmacologist Prof Les Iversen believes that Michael Jackson could have been one of the several thousand people who die every year from an overdose of opiates. He also thinks that many of these lives could be saved by a simple and safe drug, naloxone, that can prevent death. Prof Iversen came to the SMC to explain the way the drug works and elaborate on his call for this drug to be made more freely available and to explain what the problems are in implementing this policy in Britain. read more
experts comment on the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan
The UK government has published a White Paper on future energy strategies, including plans to increase sources of renewable energy and set targets on greenhouse gas emissions. read more
swine flu mortality models
Current methods for assessing H1N1 influenza mortality rates are widely regarded as flawed, and a group of experts have been investigating how these predictions are made and how they can be made more accurate. Their research is due to be published in the British Medical Journal on Wednesday 15th July, and members of the group came to the SMC to brief journalists on questions including why current mortality models are wrong, how many deaths we can really expect, and how accurate the numbers might be. read more
there’s life in the old dog yet: in defence of journalism
Any notion that the 6th World Conference of Science Journalists held in London last week was going to be a tame, cosy … read more
experts comment on Nature swine flu paper
Tests on the H1N1 flu virus show that it penetrates deeper into the respiratory system than the regular seasonal flu virus, and as a result causes more damage and has a more prolonged effect than seasonal flu. read more