Author Archives: Science Media Centre
experts comment on research into a GM tomato that protects mice against cancer, as published in Nature Biotechnology
Scientists at the John Innes centre in Norwich have created a tomato genetically engineered to have higher levels of antioxidants which may help to protect against cancer and other conditions. A purple tomato extract fed to mice was found to prolong their lifespan, and may provide dietary benefits for humans. read more
experts comment on research into a possible new obesity drug, as published in the Lancet
A phase II clinical trial suggests that the drug tesofensine could potentially be used as a treatment for obesity, by working as an appetite suppressant through the inhibition of neurological factors in the brain. read more
expert comment on research into a possible new drug to treat MS, as published in the New England Journal of Medicine
The drug, developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, has been shown to be effective at slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis when compared to a well-established existing treatment. read more
experts comment on research into prostate stem cells, as published in Nature
Scientists in the US have successfully grown a functioning prostate gland from stem cells in mice, providing further evidence that the same technique could once be used to re-grow diseased or damaged tissues and organs in humans. read more
launch of Foresight report: ‘Mental Capital and Wellbeing’
Foresight, the Government’s independent think tank, launched its latest project report, ‘Mental Capital and Wellbeing’, which presents the findings of an extensive, peer-reviewed two-year study involving over 400 independent experts. read more
variant CJD and blood transfusions
The Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) is an independent advisory body set up last year by the Government to provide advice on the most appropriate way to ensure the safety of blood, tissues, cells and organs for transfusion or transplantation. One of their concerns is reducing the risk of transmitting vCJD through blood transfusions (which is in itself rare). At this background briefing, members of SaBTO gave their views on the level of risk and what measures SaBTO are taking o reduce it. read more
expert comment on research into rofecoxib, as published in the Lancet
The anti-inflammatory drug rofecoxib, also known as Vioxx, was found to ‘substantially’ increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and death when used to treat bowel cancer. read more
experts comment on CABI’s planned use of biological control against Japanese knotweed
CABI biosciences, a not-for-profit scientific organisation, has advised that biological, rather than chemical, measures should be used to control Japanese knotweed, a highly pervasive plant that costs the UK millions of pounds a year in structural damage to buildings and infrastructure. read more
meet & greet with the new Science Minister
Lord Drayson, the new Science Minister, came to the Science Media Centre to meet journalists and set out his views on the current state of British science. read more
experts comment on research into emissions from compact fluorescent light bulbs, as published by the Health Protection Agency
The advice from the Health Protection Agency stated that prolonged exposure to compact fluorescent (energy saving) light bulbs could cause damage to the skin due to ultraviolet light emissions. read more
scientists comment on the 2008 Nobel Prize for Chemistry
Awarded to Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie and Roger Tsien for the discovery of the green fluorescent protein, a naturally occurring protein that allows animal such as jellyfish to glow. read more
experts comment on research into stem cells derived from human testes, as published in Nature
The research showed that naturally occurring cells in human testes can be induced to form cells that behave like embryonic stem cells and are pluripotent (i.e. they can form any type of cell in the body). read more
drought-resistant GM
Opponents of GM crops frequently claim that they offer no benefit except to the profit of multinational companies. However, new field trials suggest that drought-resistant crops are one example of GM technology which could have real and tangible benefits in areas such as food crises in Africa. Dr David Dennis, of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and Performance Plants, Inc., who is leading the research, came to the SMC to talk about his work and the novel techniques being used. read more
scientists comment on the 2008 Nobel Prize for Physics
This year’s physics prize was awarded to Yoichiro Nambu, Makoto Kobayashi and Toshihide Maskawa for their work on broken symmetry in subatomic physics. read more
scientists comment on the 2008 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine
This year’s prize was awarded to Harald zur Hausen for his discovery of the human papilloma virus, and to Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier for their discovery of HIV. read more
scientists comment on the appointment of Paul Drayson as Science Minister
Former Defence Minister Paul Drayson, who left his post to pursue his passion for motor racing, has returned to Government to take up the post of Science Minister, with an expanded role and the right to attend cabinet. read more
scientists comment on the newly announced government Department for Energy Security and Climate Change
The new department was created during Gordon Brown’s latest cabinet reshuffle, and will bring together government policy on both energy and climate change, to be led by Ed Miliband. read more
scientists comment on the Wakeham Review of UK Physics
The long-awaited Wakeham Review of the state of UK physics is published this week, including overviews of the condition of physics funding, education, facilities and research. read more
report on a new way of measuring animal suffering
Several years ago, in response to recommendations from a House of Lords Select Committee, the Home Office commissioned a group of scientists from academia and industry to pilot new ways of measuring the level of suffering felt by animals in the course of research. The aim was to explore whether there are ways of gathering this information which would provide more accurate information to the public about the real level of suffering. This week the key scientists involved in the pilot published their final report which makes recommendations that the Home Office should radically change the way that scientists report and publish their data on laboratory animal suffering. read more
living with nuclear power in Britain
Building new nuclear power stations in Britain is once again a matter of public policy debate and controversy, yet very little is actually known about current perceptions of nuclear power within communities which have hosted such facilities for an extended period. Following the Government’s recently declared support for new nuclear energy, a new report reveals the results of a five year long research project looking at how local people living near to nuclear power stations feel about their close proximity. read more