Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert comments on early results from ovarian cancer screening trial, as published in The Lancet Oncology
The trial suggests that screening could detect ovarian cancer before symptoms develop; currently, most cases are not detected until symptoms appear, by which time the cancer is at a more advanced stage. read more
scientists comment on clinical trial that links diabetes with heart problems, as published in the European Heart Journal
The trial found that patients with type 2 diabetes who also have abnormal heart rhythms are at an increased risk of cardiovascular complications including heart failure and stroke in later life. read more
experts comment on today’s announcement from President Obama on stem cell research in the US
The President has announced that restrictions on federal funding for research involving embryonic stem cells will be lifted, overturning one of the Bush administration’s most controversial policies. read more
scientists comment on stem cells being used to treat stroke damage in the brain
Researchers at Kings College London have shown that stem cells could in principle be used to treat damage caused by stroke, by injecting them into the brain at the site of damage. read more
experts comment on effects of air pollution and pressure on headaches, as published in Neurology
Researchers in the US have identified a relationship between changes in levels of air temperature, pressure and pollution, and the onset of migraine, raising the possibility of new avenues for understanding the condition. read more
type 1 diabetes and enteroviruses: new research published in Diabetologia
Authors described their findings that enterovirus infection of beta cells might be involved in triggering type 1 diabetes, taken from the analysis of a unique collection of more than 70 donated pancreases from children who died soon after becoming ill with type 1 diabetes. read more
expert comments on new research into type 1 diabetes, as published in two papers in Diabetologia and Science Express
New research suggests a link between enteroviral infection of the pancreatic beta cells and the development of type 1 diabetes, creating a possible avenue for the development of a vaccine. read more
NERC briefing to launch National Centre for Earth Observation
At the briefing experts from the NCEO provided further details on planned new missions including:
read more
experts comment on SIV microbicide research to be published in Nature
The research shows that a common chemical, when applied in gel form, can prevent the sread of SIV, the equivalent of HIV in monkeys. read more
expert comments on BMJ article stating that non-white women have greater complications in pregnancy
Dr Siobhan Quenby, Reader at the University of Liverpool’s School of Reproductive Medicine and Honorary Consultant at the Liverpool Women’s … read more
launch of new report by Sheep Trust
This briefing launched the first UK national survey of sheep allowing experts to work out exactly where the country’s sheep are located, allowing protection of breeds vulnerable to devastating losses from diseases like foot and mouth. read more
expert comment on research suggesting the length of time children spend watching TV is linked to their risk of asthma, as published in the journal Thorax
Dr Elaine Vickers, Research Relations Manager at Asthma UK, said: “This study does not suggest that watching TV directly causes … read more
experts comment on research into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), as published in two papers in Nature
Scientists from Britain and Canada have discovered a way of genetically reprogramming human skin cells so that they demonstrate the properties of embryonic stem cells – including the ability to become almost any type of cell in the body – without the need for using human embryos to obtain stem cells, or potentially harmful viruses to modify the genes. read more
experts comment on Gordon Brown’s science speech given today
The speech lays out government commitments on several fronts, including investment in research and the important contribution of science to the UK economy. read more
experts respond to the announcement on the fluoridation of water from South Central Strategic Health Authority
The City of Southampton will be the first in the UK to go ahead with a scheme to add fluoride to tap water on a large scale. read more
patient data – the researcher and patient view
Ahead of the publication of the report on the NHS Connecting for Health’s consultation on additional uses of patient data, for purposes such as conducting biomedical and healthcare research, representatives of the UK’s leading medical charities and patient groups gave their views on how they think access to patient data should be managed and regulated. read more
experts comment on the Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-800 crash landing at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport
The plane crashed short of the runway as it was coming in to land, killing nine people and injuring 84. read more
experts react to the news of the death of Ivan Cameron
David Cameron’s son died at the age of six from complications arising from severe epilepsy and cerebral palsy. He suffered from Ohtahara Syndrome, a rare neurological condition. read more
experts comment on malfunction in NASA climate satellite
NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory was designed to measure greenhouse gas levels in the Earth’s atmosphere from space. It suffered a malfunction during launch and subsequently crashed into the ocean. read more
experts comment on research into new gene for motor neurone disease as published in Science
Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London have discovered the second gene involved with motor neurone disease in as many years. read more