Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert in cardiovascular science reacts to Nature paper on heart repair mechanism
Scientists at University College London (UCL) have published a study showing how ‘progenitor cells’ from the outer layers of the heart can migrate inside to repair tissue following a hear attack. read more
scientists react to potential stem cell therapy for muscular dystrophy as published in Nature
A joint Italian/French team of scientists have published a study using stem cells to treat a disease in dogs that is similar to muscular dystrophy in humans. read more
scientists react to news of the neanderthal genome sequence to be published in Nature
American scientists have today published the results of a study conducted on DNA extracted from the thigh bone of a Neanderthal man who lived 38,000 years ago. read more
scientists react to Nuffield Council on Bioethics report on critical care decisions in foetal and neonatal medicine
A report from the UK’s leading bioethics body has recommended that babies born at or before 22 weeks should not be resuscitated or given intensive care and that those born at 23 weeks should be treated giving consideration to the parents. read more
scientists react to the Queen’s speech
The 2006 Queen’s Speech sets the government’s target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% a legal requirement and outlines the establishment of a “Carbon Committee” to monitor the effort. read more
scientists react to the new global analysis on Carbon Dioxide emissions
A new global analysis was commissioned by UNESCO and will be presented at the COP12 climate talks in Nairobi this week. read more
leading scientists pay tribute to Lord Sainsbury
The UK Science Minister, Lord Sainsbury of Turville has resigned today “to return to his charitable work”. read more
opthalmologist comments on Nature paper on retinal transplants in mice
Medical Research Council (MRC) scientists have published a report showing how they ‘cured blindness’ in mice using retinal stem cells implanted into their eyes. read more
scientists react to Lancet paper on industrial chemicals and brain development
A joint US / Danish report published in the medical journal, The Lancet, has warned of a potential pandemic of juvenile brain disorders brought on by industrial chemicals. read more
scientists react to Tony Blair’s speech on science
In a speech at the University of Oxford, Prime Minister Tony Blair has stressed the importance of young people learning science to “change the world” and keep Britain at the forefront of innovation. read more
scientists react to news of application to transfer human nuclei into animal eggs
Today groups in Newcastle and London will be submitting a joint application to carry out stem cell work using animal eggs. The groups hope to transfer human nuclei into host animal eggs using nuclear transfer/therapeutic cloning. read more
location technology: saviour or stalker
Scientists from both sides of the Atlantic with expertise in computer and information technology came together to discuss the pros and cons of location technology in front of journalists from the Sunday papers. Unfortunately the report on surveillance and privacy from the Information Commissioner’s office gesumpt this briefing. We lifted the embargo to allow for coverage by BBC Online and BBC World Service. And fortunately The Observer was still able to run the article. read more
Nuffield Council on Bioethics: Forensic use of DNA
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics briefed the media on the launch of a working group which will examine the ethics around the forensic use of DNA. This includes the National DNA database, which has been a topic of controversy in the media in recent times. read more
stem cell scientists react to news of ‘minature liver grown in lab’
University of Newcastle scientists have reported growing functioning liver tissue using stem cells extracted from umbilical cord blood. read more
arctic climate change: what’s to gain?
During the IMarEST ‘Arctic Workshop’ scientists took time out to brief journalists on the possible consequences of climate change for the artic region – the negative ecological consequences but also some economic advantages. Some strong positive outcomes for the fishing and sea transport industries as well as for oil and gas exploration arose from the discussion, all of which add further controversy to the issue of climate change. read more
reactions to the Stern review on the economics of climate change
Sir Nicholas Stern’s independent report on the impact of climate change for the Chancellor of the Exchequer demands that the world acts now or faces devastating economic consequences. read more
reactions to face transplant approval announcement
Scientists commented following the announcement of Ethics Committee approval for face transplantation to be carried out by a team at the Royal Free Hospital, London read more
from the lab to the plate: Nanotechnology and food
In conjunction with the Institute of Nanotechnology ‘Nano and Microtechnologies in the Food and Healthfood Industries conference’ scientists briefed the media on nanotechnologies for the food industry. read more
HFEA independent experts report on IVF and multiple births
The Science Media Centre ran the press launch for the report of the independent Expert Group on Multiple Births after IVF. This group was set up to report back to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on recommendations to reduce the number of multiple births after IVF treatment. read more
scientists react to Expert Group report on multiple births after IVF
A Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) expert group has reported today that single-embryo transfer is the best prognosis for UK IVF patients. read more