Author Archives: Science Media Centre
scientist react to IVF multiple birth discovery
A study presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology showed how IVF techniques can increase the likelihood of an embryo splitting to form identical twins. read more
scientists comment on egg donation announcement
The news of the first mother-to-daughter egg donation was announced at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. A 35-year-old woman in Montreal made the decision to freeze her eggs so that her daughter, who has Turner’s syndrome, could use them later in life if she wished. read more
smoking and death: the next 50 years
50 years ago, the Government accepted the Medical Research Council’s conclusion that smoking was the major cause of lung cancer. Since then more than 7 million people in the UK have been killed by smoking. With the smoking ban coming into force on Sunday, what will the future hold for public health? Sir Richard Peto, collaborator with Sir Richard Doll who was behind the MRC’s original findings, spoke on the latest figures relating to smoking and death, smoking prevalence and the challenges of the next fifty years, while Professor Colin Blakemore, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council, highlighted the MRC’s ongoing contribution to research in this area. read more
scientists react to discovery of explosives in a car in central London
Experts on engineering and explosives commented on the explosives which were discovered in a car in central London. read more
preventing dementia: the potential for the future
High blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity and an inactive lifestyle increase the risk of developing heart disease but research now indicates they may also be contributing to the development of dementia. In a national first, the Alzheimer’s Society brought together four leading heart, stroke and dementia experts at the Science Media Centre to discuss how the conditions may interact and the opportunities to reduce the risk of them developing. They summarised the latest research news and discussed the launch of collaborative initiatives to tackle this important area. read more
scientists and engineers react to Brown’s cabinet shake-up
The cabinet shake-up saw the administration of science moving from within the Department of Trade and Industry to the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills. read more
experts react to judicial review ruling on the HFEA and Mohammed Taranissi case
Scientists reacted to a High Court ruling that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority had acted illegally in acquiring warrants to search the clinics of fertility doctor Mohammed Taranissi. read more
scientists respond to reported advance towards synthetic genomes
An expert in molecular microbiology commented on the report that a research group led by Dr Craig Venter had successfully removed the DNA from a bacterial cell and replaced it with the DNA of another species of bacteria. read more
scientists respond to bishops’ comments on hybrid embryos
Roman Catholic bishops urged that hybrid human-animal embryos be considered as human, and allowed to develop into children. read more
experts respond to news of flooding in the UK
Flooding affected many regions within the UK, and was most severe in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Midlands. read more
scientists and engineers react to DEFRA nuclear waste announcement
DEFRA announced that it would begin the process of consulting with communities over where to site a nuclear waste repository. read more
scientists comment on new published research on echinacea and colds
The study, published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, showed that echinacea could reduce the chances of catching a cold. read more
2nd generation biofuels: green fuel without the grief?
Launching the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC) report on the feasibility of generating 2nd generation biofuels in the UK. read more
scientists react to cervical cancer vaccine announcement
The Government announced that girls aged 12 and 13 could be vaccinated against HPV, the virus which causes cervical cancer, in a national vaccination programme. read more
MTAS/MMC: has the crisis been resolved?
Journalists were invited to meet junior doctors who are now unemployed because of the ill-fated doctor’s recruitment system. read more
publication of report on badgers and bovine TB
Scientists commented on the publication of the report of the Independent Scientific Group (ISG) on cattle TB, which highlighted the high costs and low benefits of adopting a badger culling programme. read more
results of new national soil survey
Experts from a collaboration led by the Environment Agency reported on the results of a 27-month survey measuring pollutants in soils and plants, to give a picture of the level of contamination across the UK and a baseline for future monitoring. read more
why are there still no HIV vaccines?
The Science Media Centre and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) invited three of the world’s leading experts on HIV vaccines to brief journalists on the latest research and clinical trials in this area, and the feasibility of developing HIV vaccines in the future. read more
scientists respond to new breast cancer genes finding
A paper published in Nature described the discovery of new genes predisposing women to breast cancer. read more
scientists react to suspected avian flu outbreak
This followed the discovery of the H7N2 flu virus in Denbighshire, North Wales. read more