Author Archives: Science Media Centre
scientists comment further on Catholic Church’s attack on embryo research
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council, said: “The Human Fertilisation and Embriology Bill is a much … read more
announcement of medical charities’ joint letter to MPs on embryo bill
A spokesperson at the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) made the following announcement concerning the publicisation of a letter sent to MPs by the AMRC and the Genetic Interest Group (GIG). read more
scientists condemn Catholic Church’s attack on embryo research
The Science Media Centre asked leading scientists to comment as Cardinal Keith O’Brien condemned plans for the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos as ‘monstrous’. read more
paediatricians speak out
Four of the UK’s leading paediatricians came to speak to journalists about whether recent high-profile court cases involving paediatricians and allegations of parental harm have created a climate of fear in hospitals. read more
data security – outcome of Data Guardianship Survey
Representatives from the British Computer Society (BCS) came to the Science Media Centre to brief journalists on the results of their Data Guardianship Survey. read more
swarm robots
Experts came to talk to journalists about the launch of a five-year project to create an autonomous, shape-changing artificial life form, from swarms of robots linked together to share energy and computational resources. read more
scientists and engineers react to the 2008 budget
The Science Media Centre asked experts to comment on 2008 budget announcements concerning zero-carbon buildings, road-pricing, emissions targets, alcohol duty and green homes. read more
will we be eating meat in the future? How animal science can help
Researchers from the British Society of Animal Science came to the Science Media Centre to brief journalists on the environmental, nutritional and welfare issues surrounding meat production. read more
the 2007 floods – fluke event or sign of things to come?
Representatives from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) came to the Science Media Centre to brief the media on their report into the summer floods of 2007. read more
foot and Mouth Disease report
The Science Media Centre found experts available to comment following the announcement of a review to investigate the Government’s reaction to the 2007 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. read more
a vaccination against high blood pressure
The Science Media Centre found an expert to comment on the possibility of using immunisation to control blood pressure, as suggested by a paper in the Lancet. read more
ovarian cancer
Experts in cancer research came to the Science Media Centre to brief journalists on the new developments in research that could turn ovarian cancer into a chronic survivable condition. read more
low carbon mobility: can rail travel really be green?
Representatives from Institution of Mechanical Engineers came to the SMC to brief the media on their report concerning low carbon mobility and sustainable transport. read more
health of nuclear power station workers
Experts from Westlakes Scientific Consulting came to brief journalists on the results of their new large-scale study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, investigating the health of nuclear power station workers in the UK. read more
earthquake in England
UK residents were woken to the largest earthquake in the UK for nearly 25 years. The quake, measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, had its epicentre near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire. read more
new clue to the cause of motor neuron disease – research published in Science
Research published in Science has provided new clues as to the cause of motor neurone disease; researchers at King’s College London have found mutations in a gene that causes the disease, allowing scientists to understand the mechanisms that initiate disease, which they hope will help identify new therapeutic targets. read more
scientists react to paper on antibiotic resistant E. coli as published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases
The paper, from a team of Canadian scientists, looked at antibiotic resistance in certain strains of E. coli, and revealed that the problem of resistance is spreading beyond hospitals and into the community. read more
expert reacts to paper on new research into multiple sclerosis mechanisms
The research, published in the journal Nature, has revealed potential targets for the treatment of MS, which affects 85,000 people in the UK. The Science Media Centre asked a neurologist to comment on these new findings. read more
expert comments on new research into prostate cancer risk as published in Nature Genetics
The Science Media Centre found an oncology expert to comment on the study from the Institute of Cancer Research which found seven new genes associated with prostate cancer, in a study of 10,000 men in the UK and Australia. read more
expert in complementary medicine reacts to new research into acupuncture and IVF
The research, suggesting that acupuncture can boost the success rate of IVF treatment, was published in the British Medical Journal. read more