Author Archives: Science Media Centre
scientists comment on announcement of 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine
This year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine was shared by Professor Sir Martin Evans of Cardiff University and two American scientists, Professor Oliver Smithies and Professor Mario Capecchi, for their work on gene targeting in mice and isolating embryonic stem cells. read more
scientists react on Government’s response to the Joint Committee on Human Tissue and Embryos (draft) Bill
The Government’s announcement means that research with human-animal hybrid embryos will now be allowed, and the proposed merging of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Human Tissue Authority will not go ahead. read more
50th anniversary of Windscale nuclear accident
To mark the anniversary of the first major nuclear accident in the UK, the SMC invited leading experts to brief journalists on what happened, what has been discovered about the accident since, and the implications for current and future UK nuclear power stations. read more
leading scientists comment on Lord Sainsbury’s review of government science and innovation policies
The review includes recommendations to strengthen the teaching of science in schools and increase investment in science and technology in the UK. read more
experts comment on use of Thalidomide to treat multiple myeloma in older people as published in the Lancet
Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow, has been successfully treated with thalidomide and could be used as a treatment option in the future, with particular benefits for the elderly. read more
scientists comment on the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Russian spacecraft Sputnik
Professor Martin Ward, head of astronomy at Durham University, said: “For an object just twice the diameter of a bowling … read more
major new study on effectiveness of herbal medicines
Researchers at the Peninsula Medical School at Exeter University presented a major new research paper on the effectiveness of invidiually tailored herbal medicines. read more
new era in kidney donation for transplantation
The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) announced a milestone for the UK in organ transplantation: the first paired kidney transplantation, in which donors and recipients who do not match are paired with others in the same situation, allowing more patients to benefit. read more
engineers comment on feasibility study into Severn Estuary tidal barrage
The barrage, which would be 10 miles long and consist of more than 200 turbines, could provide between 5 and 10% of Britain’s electricity. read more
experts respond to Lovelock and Rapley letter in Nature on using ocean pumps to slow global warming
James Lovelock and Chris Rapley (Director of the Science Museum) proposed using a series of giant pipes to circulate ocean waters and restore their ecological balance. read more
experts comment on House of Lords report on allergies
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee published its latest report on the prevalence of allergies in the UK. read more
scientists respond to news of bluetongue disease in Suffolk
The first case of bluetongue disease, a midge-borne viral infection of cattle, was reported at a farm in Suffolk, leading to restrictions on the movement of cattle in the area. read more
scientists respond to call for deep cleaning hospitals in order to control superbugs
Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced plans for ward-by-ward deep cleaning of hospitals to tackle superbugs such as MRSA. read more
US autism expert at the SMC
Professor Eric Hollander, an international expert on autism from Mount Sinai University in New York, came to the Science Media Centre to brief journalists on the biological causes of and possible treatments for autism and other developmental disorders. read more
report on the National DNA Database
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics gave a briefing on the conclusions of their report, ‘The forensic use of bioinformation: ethical issues’, which makes recommendations to policy makers in, amongst other areas, the establishment of a population-wide National DNA Database and the uses, regulation of and access to the database. read more
experts respond to the UK Space Exploration Working Group report
The report says that the uK should play a central role in future manned space missions to the moon and Mars. read more
Mobile Communications and Health Research Report
Following the publication of the Stewart report in 2000, a research programme, called the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme (MTHR), was set up to look into the possible health impact of mobile telecommunications. This £8.8 million programme of research includes 28 separate studies and has investigated whether health or other effects can result from mobile phones or base stations. Scientists from this comprehensive research programme reported on their findings at the Science Media Centre. read more
scientists react to new outbreak of foot and mouth in the UK
A fresh outbreak of the disease was discovered at a farm in Surrey, the same strain of the disease as that of the previous outbreak in the area in August. read more
experts respond to MHTR report published today
The report from the Mobile Health and Telecommunications Research group into the possible health risks of mobile phones found no link between short-term mobile phone use and cancer. read more
scientists react to study on hyperactivity and food additives as published in The Lancet
Dr Susan Jebb, Nutrition Scientist, MRC Human Nutrition Research, said: “While this study is showing an effect of certain additives … read more