Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert comments on research into brain activity in young adults carrying APOE4 genetic variant, as published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Researchers at the University of Oxford and Imperial College London have discovered that heightened activity in one part of the brain of young adults carrying a particular genetic variant may be an early indication of developing dementia in later life. read more
expert comments on case report concerning grapefruit and thrombosis, as published in The Lancet
The case concerns a woman who developed a blood clot in her leg and almost lost the limb, as a result of going on an intense grapefruit-based diet which affected her body’s ability to process her contraceptive pill. Experts stressed that this was an unusual case. read more
expert comments on the robotic discovery of original scientific knowledge, as published in Science
A team at Aberystwyth University have created a prototype robot that is able to perform a wide range of basic repetitive tasks, including lab experiments, showing the potential for robotic lab assistants of the future. read more
experts comment on auditory stem cell research as published in the journal Stem Cells
A team of scientists at the University of Sheffield has successfully created cells derived from embryonic stem cells that behave like sensory cells in the human ear, presenting a possible method for treating deafness and hearing impairment by replacing these damaged cells. read more
expert comments on study in BMJ showing correlation between hot tea and throat cancer
The study, from researchers in Iran, found that drinking tea at a temperature of 70 degrees celsius or higher is correlated with a higher risk of oesophageal cancer. read more
experts comment on the findings of the IUSS report Engineering: Turning Ideas Into Reality
The report, from the government’s Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills select committee, reports on the state of engineeering in the UK and its contribution to UK business and the economy. read more
the EU Directive on animal research
The European Parliament is considering revisions to Directive 86/609 which covers the use of animals in scientific research. While the scientific community is welcoming the opportunity to update the Directive, there are serious concerns that many of its proposed restrictions on animal use will not improve welfare, while hindering vital research for patient benefit. This briefing was held jut before the key vote on the Directive in the EU parliament, and brought together key stakeholders to speak out about their concerns. read more
should the RSPCA euthanize stranded whales?
Recent research shows that helping stranded whales may simply prolong their suffering; as a result, the RSPCA is proposing that stranded whales, such as that which swam up the Thames in 2006, should be euthanised as a matter of course. Experts from the RSPCA and the Institute of Zoology came to the SMC to talk about the research and explain the reasoning behind the proposal. read more
DNABoost: new Forensic Science Service technology
Scientists from the Forensic Science Service provided details on the latest technique, DNABoost, which can obtain a DNA profile from mixed or poor quality samples which police forces had previously had to disregard as useless. read more
experts comment on research into red meat and health, as published in Archives of Internal Medicine
Researchers at the US National Cancer Institute have found additional evidence that eating large quantities of red and processed meat leads to a slightly elevated risk of death from a range of causes, including cancer and heart disease. read more
UK’s Largest Alzheimer’s research conference
This briefing covered the key findings reported at the UK’s largest ever dementia conference, the Alzheimer’s Research Trust’s 10th Annual Meeting. read more
Fiona discusses science and politics on Radio 4’s Leading Edge
The Home Secretary publically demanded and received an apology from Professor David Nutt, Chair of the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, … read more
scientists comment on Gordon Brown’s nuclear speech
The PM has pledged new support for nuclear power in the UK, and spoke about its role globally. read more
how many scientists does it take to change our light bulbs?
Quality of light, dimming, the carbon cost of use vs manufacture, exposure to UV, the effect of mercury on health and the environment, and emerging technologies – all were explored by the experts at this background briefing. read more
the threat to clinical trials
Four of the UK’s leading scientists briefed journalists about their concerns of the implementation of the European directive on clinical trials that has led to serious delays and added millions of pounds to the costs, crippling many trials and forcing industry to conduct trials overseas. read more
scientists comment on self-repairing polyurethane networks as published in Science
Scientists in the US have developed a ‘self-healing’ polymer coating that mends itself when exposed to sunlight, and which could lead to the development of self-repairing paint for cars as well as other products. read more
scientists comment on steroid tests in sport ignoring apparent ethnic hormonal differences
Experts writing in the British Journal of Sports Medicine have said that urine tests for banned drugs in sport do not take account of genetic variants between different ethnic groups. read more
experts respond to new PGD Technique published in Human Reproduction
Details have been revealed of a new preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) technique to test for genetic disease. read more
Edzard Ernst comments on Duchy Original detox products
Britain’s leading academic expert on complementary medicine, Edzard Ernst, has described the range of detox products made by Pince Charles’ Duchy Originals company as ‘quakery’ and unfounded in scientific evidence. read more
experts comment on research suggesting links between migraine and stroke risk in pregnancy, as published in the BMJ
A study of patient records in the US suggested that mothers-to-be who suffer from migraines are at a higher risk of stroke. read more