Author Archives: Science Media Centre
experts comment on stem cell funding story
The story, which appeared in the Independent newspaper, suggested that two applications for funding to do research on human-animal hybrid embryos may have been turned down because of moral objections. read more
experts comment on study suggesting Alzheimer’s drugs double the risk of death, to be published in Lancet Neurology
Researchers at Kings College London found an elevated risk of premature death among Alzheimer’s patients given anti-psychotic drugs to control their symptoms. read more
brains needed for research
Brains need to be donated for medical research if we are to have any hope of finding a cure for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, autism and Parkinson’s. Suitable brains are hard to come by and scientists are in extremely short supply, which means that research may soon grind to a halt. Experts at this background briefing answered questions including how many brains we have and how many are needed, and what they will enable us to do in terms of research towards treatments for these diseases. read more
expert reaction to the conviction of animal rights activists for intimidation campaign against companies supplying Huntingdon Life Sciences
Seven animal rights activists have been convicted of mounting a sustained campaign of intimidation and blackmail against companies involved with Huntingdon Life Sciences. read more
experts comment on MORI poll on the teaching of creationism in schools
The poll of primary and secondary school teachers found that nearly half disagree with the teaching of creationism alongside evolution in science lessons in England and Wales, rising to two out of three among teachers who specialise in science. read more
experts comment on new research into iPS cells and spinal muscular atrophy, as published in Nature
The study, from researchers in the United States, is the first to show that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which are capable of becoming any other type of cell, can be used to model the pathology of the genetic muscle-wasting disease spinal muscular atrophy. The cells were derived from skin cells taken from a child with the disease, and are therefore genetically identical. read more
experts react to pregnancy involving PGD for breast cancer
A woman from London will shortly become the first in the UK to give birth to a baby that has been screened to be free of a gene that significantly raises the risk of breast cancer, using the technique of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in which embryos are selected for implantation based on identified genetic characteristics. read more
the state of UK fish stocks
To coincide with the publication of the annual UK & EU fish quotas, and the long awaited UK Marine Bill, this background briefing was run to allow some of the UK’s top marine experts to dispel some of the common myths surrounding fish stocks and quotas, and address some of the real issues, including the real state of fish stocks and how quotas are created and utilised. read more
publication of WHO/UNICEF Global Report on Child Accidental Injuries
This briefing was run in collaboration with the World Health Organisation to launch a report which represents the first global assessment of accidental injuries affecting children; a significant number of children are killed each year by such injuries, and non-fatal injuries can have far-reaching consequences, often leaving children with lifelong disabilities. The report presents a comprehensive analysis of the situation worldwide, ranks the leading causes of deaths, evaluates which prevention measures work and which don’t and outlines recommendations that will save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering. Experts involved in the report presented their findings in these areas, and discussed how the UK compares to other countries and how it is performing on preventing these accidents. read more
experts respond to the news that high levels of dioxins have been found in slaughtered pigs in the Republic of Ireland
Irish pork products were withdrawn from sale across Europe as a precautionary measure after high levels of the chemicals were discovered in meat from the country. However, the risk assessment suggested no immediate risk to humans. The incident was believed to have been caused by contamination of animal feed. read more
expert comment on research suggesting link between intelligence and semen quality, as published in the journal Intelligence
Researchers found evidence for a positive correlation between cognitive ability and three key indicators of sperm quality. read more
energy from waste – a wasted opportunity?
A new report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers claims that the potential of waste as a resource for energy production is being ignored by government, and that it should instead be a key component in energy production. Rather than just being incinerators, Energy from Waste (EfW) plants treat refuse by a number of processes to recover energy in the form of heating, electricity and transport fuels. Experts camte to the SMC to talk about how EfW works, the need to change the public and government mindset about waste, and how it can be used as a resource to help the UK meet its renewable energy commitments. read more
experts comment on report published by the Committee on Climate Change
The Government’s Committee on Climate Change was assembled to independently assess how the UK can tackle climate change and meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. read more
Foresight report: Sustainable Energy Management and the Built Environment (SEMBE)
This major report from the Government’s Foresight think tank comprehensively examines energy systems in the UK’s buildings and building practices over the next 50 years. The report makes recommendations for changes to existing buildings and behaviour, including whether buildings should undergo annual energy efficiency tests and what incentives could be offered to homeowners and businesses to lower their carbon emissions and energy use. read more
what is holding back early stage clinical trials for stem cell therapies?
Stem cell research has made huge advances along the road to delivering real regenerative medicine therapies in the clinic. A few approaches using adult stem cells are in trials, including for some forms of blindness, but why have we seen so few therapies make the jump from the lab to early stage clinical trials? Why is public investment in UK stem cell research and the UK’s position as one of the world leaders in the field not being translated into NHS treatments? Ahead of a meeting organised by the UK National Stem Cell Network, scientists briefed the media at the SMC on the hurdles that are slowing and stopping progress towards more clinical trials, particularly using human embryonic stem cells. read more
reaction to study suggesting link between hairspray and genital birth defect, as published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives
The study found a link between chemicals found in hairspray and genital birth defects in boys, through a retrospective study of women based on a number of factors including occupation. read more
engineering better health
Personalised medicine is on its way, driven both by science and social attitudes about consumer choice. But how will this actually be delivered? What does it mean for medical technology and healthcare? To coincide with a conference run by the Royal Academy of Engineering on ‘Engineering Better Health’, the Science Media Centre brought together some of the leading experts in this area to talk about their work and the exciting advances it promises. read more
expert comments on the first transplant of a tissue-engineered airway, as published in The Lancet
The Lancet has announced the successful transplantation of the world’s first tissue-engineered airway, created using the patient’s own stem cells to ensure that there was no possibility of immune rejection. read more
successful first tissue-engineered airway transplant
The SMC hosted The Lancet for this briefing, to announce the successful results of the transplantation of the first tissue-engineered airway, which has massively improved the quality of life of the female recipient. The airway was created using the patient’s own stem cells, to ensure that there was no probability of immune rejection. read more
combating insufficient anti-malarial stocks with new technologies and a new drug
Malaria is still a major global health problem, killing up to one million people every year, most of them young children. The World Health Organization recommends artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs), as the most effective treatments available today. Artemisinin is extracted from a plant and production is expensive, lead times are long and supplies are unreliable. Furthermore, demand is expected to significantly outstrip supply over the next few years. A report being launched today at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Malaria discusses using molecular plant breeding, GM microbes and a new synthetic drug in order to prevent this global problem. Leading scientists in the field came to the SMC to discuss these issues and the feasibility of new treatments. read more