Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to new research into sex differentiation in mice, as published in Cell
This study identified a single gene responsible for maintaining ovary development during sex differentiation in mice, improving current understanding of how genetic factors influence sexual development. read more
expert reaction to the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) Climate Change Index
The International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) is a research programme based at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences which looks at the science of global change. In the week of the Copenhagen climate talks, the IGBP published its Climate Change Index, integrating data on various indicators of climate change, including CO2 levels, temperature and sea level and how they are changing. read more
expert reaction to study on efficacy of Tamiflu as published in the BMJ
A systematic review of studies of the efficacy of antiviral drugs used to treat influenza has found only modest benefits in their use, raising questions over public health policy regarding their use in the current flu pandemic. read more
expert reaction to today’s statements by the World Meteorological Organisation and the UK Met Office
With crucial climate talks in Copenhagen under way, the WMO and Met Office have released data showing that the previous decade was the warmest year on record. read more
expert reaction to the Committee on Climate Change UK Aviation Report
The UK government’s Committee on Climate Change has published its report on aviation in the UK, including forecasts for growth in the aviation sector and the implications of this for the UK’s emissions reduction strategy. read more
experts comment on new research into the risk of blood clots after surgery in middle-aged women, as published in the BMJ
The study found that the risk of developing a blood clot after surgery is higher than previously thought, and remains high for up to three months. read more
prescribing errors – is it safe to let junior doctors prescribe drugs?
Research commissioned by the General Medical Council has explored the causes of prescribing errors made by first year foundation trainee (FY1) doctors, following on from much speculation and media attention over error rates and the impact on patient safety. The research focuses on the interplay between doctors’ educational backgrounds and factors in their practice environments. Evidence-based recommendations have been made to improve patient safety, and experts in this area came to the SMC to discuss the research and its findings, and the recommendations for reducing prescriptions errors in hospitals. read more
expert reaction to research on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as published in the BMJ
The study found evidence suggesting a link the use of a commonly-used diabetes drug and increased risk of heart failure. read more
high-potency cannabis and risk of psychosis
The British Journal of Psychiatry is publishing new research into the use of high-potency cannabis (skunk) and the risk of psychosis. The study is the first to suggest that the risk of developing psychotic illnesses is greatest among those who are frequent cannabis users, and among those who use skunk rather than traditional hash. The research has important public health implications, given the increased availability and use of high-potency cannabis in the UK, and the researchers came to the SMC to discuss their findings. read more
Antarctic climate change and the environment
The first comprehensive review of the state of Antarctic’s climate and its relationship to the global climate system was published on 1 December by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) – it presents the latest research from the Antarctic, identifies areas for future scientific research, and addresses the urgent questions that policy makers have about Antarctic melting, sea-level rise and biodiversity. Key contributors to the report came to the SMC to brief journalists on their findings and to discuss areas such as the impact and consequences of rapid warming in the region and changes in sea ice around the continent. read more
expert reaction to calls by Breast Cancer UK for bisphenol A to be banned
The charity Breast Cancer UK has called for the chemical bisphenol-A to be banned from use in plastics used to make products including baby bottles and food and drink containers, on the grounds that is linked to health problems. read more
expert reaction to paper on insecticides and birth defects to be published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (a BMJ specialist journal)
A study of mothers and babies suggests that exposure to insect repellents during the first three months of pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of genital birth defects in baby boys. However, the research was based on interviews with mothers, and experts urged caution over their interpretation. read more
launch of new RCEP report on artificial light in the environment
A report from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution on all aspects of artificial light has drawn strong conclusions about damage to the environment caused by putting lights in the wrong place at the wrong time. The report covers areas from the loss of view of the stars to the nuisance caused by bad lighting to the effects of artificial light on our natural ecosystems and calls for urgent government action to address the issues raised. read more
nanotechnology and food: the future’s bright, the future’s tiny?
Nanotechnologies are developing at an increasing rate and they have many exciting potential uses in food and health, but, as with almost any new technology, there are concerns over safety. This briefing highlighted recent developments and discussed whether the consumption of nanoparticles poses a risk, with particular focus on the gut and lung. read more
expert reaction to ongoing announcements from China and others on carbon emissions
China has announced proposed targets to slow (although not reduce) its carbon emissions over the course of the next century. The announcement followed pledges made the previous day by the Obama administration promising to cut US emissions. read more
expert reaction to Obama announcement on US targets to cut emissions
The Obama administration has announced that President Obama will attend the climate summit in Copenhagen, where he will pledge to reduce US emissions over the coming decades. read more
climate change 101 – the state of the science
With crucial climate talks due to start in Copenhagen on December 7, the SMC, in conjunction with the Met Office, ran this briefing at Westminster to provide a crash course on climate science for political and world affairs journalists planning to report on proceedings in Copenhagen. read more
expert reaction to a new research paper on MS and childbirth, as published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry (a BMJ specialist journal)
The paper draws conclusions suggesting that giving birth seems to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis. read more
comments on climate change, following the story that emails at UEA’s Climate Research Unit have been hacked into
Emails and documents illegally obtained from servers at the University of East Anglia Climate Research Unit have been uploaded on a climate ‘sceptics’ blog. It is claimed they show evidence of scientists’ collusion to manipulate data in making the case for human-made climate change. read more
expert reaction to bridge collapsing in Cumbria’s floods
The bridge collapse occurred during severe flooding in the north-west of England, following several days of heavy rainfall. read more