Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert comment on research into anti-depressants and semen quality to be reported in New Scientist
A study, to be presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in November, has found a correlation between the use of antidepressants for over four weeks and levels of genetic damage in sperm. read more
landmark study reports breakdown in biotech patent systems
Biotech breakthroughs are transforming the worlds of health and agriculture offering the promise of drought resistant plants, new medicines and energy sources. Yet some feel that the current system of intellectual proerty rights is fundamentally flawed. A Montreal-based international team of experts in biotechnology, law, ethics and economics has released a new report which will be presented to UK policy makers and NGOs next week. Drawing on data collected over the past seven years, the study portrays a crucially important but increasingly dysfunctional industry that relies on a business model based on outdated conceptions of intellectual property. The lead author of the report came to the SMC to prevent its main findings. read more
how I became a physics groupie
Clock this: September 2008 – the moment that particle physics became sexy. And no-one was more surprised than me. To … read more
scientists comment on Lancet study into paracetamol and childhood asthma
The study found an association between the giving of products containing paracetamol to children at an early age, and the incidence of childhood asthma. read more
scientists react to the resignation of Michael Reiss from his post at the Royal Society
Prof Reiss resigned following the controversy generated over his comments regarding the status of creationism in the school science curriculum. read more
new energy report highly critical of government policy
The energy expert Prof Ian Fells came to the SMC to release a new report on the looming energy crisis in the UK. The report, entitled “A Pragmatic Energy Policy for the UK”, has been commissioned by a top industrialist and is backed by high profile energy specialists. It claims to identify the realities facing the UK if urgent action is not taken now, and its timely release is intended to stimulate debate at the forthcoming party conferences. read more
bisphenol A and heart disease
Bisphenol A is a chemical used around the world in the production of many common plastic products including CDs, drinks containers and sports equipment. As with all industrial chemicals, there have been many rigorous health and safety checks over the use of Bisphenol A. Despite widely publicised concerns over use of the substance, previous scientific studies have not shown any significant health impact.
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scientists comment on research into bisphenol A and heart disease
Experts comment on research that reveals an association between Bisphenol A, a compound used in a wide range of plastic products, and both heart disease and diabetes. read more
scientists respond to Scottish Government statement about unauthorized release of GM material
The statement was made in response to the unauthorised sowing of genetically modified oil seed rape seeds on three separate sites. The seeds were destroyed before reaching maturity. read more
scientists comment on the Channel Tunnel fire
The Tunnel was closed after the fire broke out in a lorry being carried on a freight train. The fire was believed to be caused by flammable material and led to the reduction in services for several weeks. read more
scientists respond to comments by Michael Reiss on creationism in the classroom
Prof Michael Reiss, Director of Education at the Royal Society, today debated creationism’s place in the science curriculum at the BA Festival. Leading scientists offered their thoughts on the issue. read more
experts comment on progress at CERN
The Large Hadron Collider near Geneva officially began operations today, with scientists successfully sending the first proton beams round the whole length of the accelerator. Leading scientists comment on the progress made so far by the biggest scientific experiment ever built. read more
presumed consent on organ donation – should we really be moving to a system of opting out?
Earlier this year, several high profile figures including the Prime Minister and the Chief Medical Officer announced their preference to see the UK following Spain in moving towards a system of ‘presumed consent’ in organ donation, whereby individuals are automatically assumed to have agreed to donate their organs after death unless they specifically opt out, so as to increase the numbers or organs available for donation. However many experts close to the front line of transplant medicine are now raising serious concerns which they feel have not been heard in the debate, and have argued that the evidence from Spain does not in fact support such a move. The Science Media Centre invited three leading experts to brief journalists about their concerns about changing from opting in to opting out. read more
experts comment on electrosensitivity and the safety of mobile phones
Concerns over the safety of mobile phones have been raised in a report from the independent campaigning organisation Powerwatch; leading experts respond. read more
experts comment on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN that will officially begin operations next week
Following various controversies surrounding the ‘official’ initiation of the Large Hadron Collider, particularly over whether or not it will create a black hole which could devour the earth, not to mention the cost of the project, leading scientists answered some of the most frequently asked questions. read more
sludge: a brown and pleasant land?
There has been a predictable public and media reaction to the notion of using human biosolids (i.e. from human waste) as fertiliser to grow food. However, the resulting product is cheap, natural, recycled and energy efficient. Leading scientists came to the SMC to discuss the potential for treating and cleaning raw sewage to be used in this way, and how to overcome the ‘yuck’ factor. read more
experts comment on Hurricane Gustav
The hurricane hit large parts of the Louisiana coast but did not reach the levels of intensity of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans three years ago. read more
experts comment on the crash of flight JK5022 at Madrid’s Barajas airport
Over 100 people died in the crash, which occurred as the plane took off. It was thought to have been caused by an engine fire. read more
high cholesterol and the most common UK genetic disorder
Run in conjunction with the charity H.E.A.R.T. UK, this briefing introduced the background to the genetic disorder familial hypercholesterolaemia, which affects 1 inn 500 people in the UK and causes exceptionally high levels of cholesterol. However, only 20% of patients are currently diagnosed because there are few, if any, symptoms. Experts addressed questions including what tests for FH are available and how it can be treated. read more
experts comment on research into a possible link between skin cancer and moisturisers, as published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Researchers in the US found that the application of moisturiser to mice following sun exposure led to a higher incidence of skin cancer tumour formation. A number of ingredients in the moisturisers were identified as possible causes of the higher rate of tumour formation, but the authors indicated that similar findings have not been established in humans. read more