Author Archives: Science Media Centre
could a Hurricane Katrina style flood happen in the UK?
Climate change, flooding, flood risk and flood defense experts came together at the Science Media Centre to outline the future risks to UK populations of flooding. They described how the coincidence of several weather and tidal phenomena could put certain parts of the UK at extreme risk of severe floods. read more
microbiologist reacts to anthrax death in Scotland
A 50 year-old man is believed to have died today in Scotland from the UK’s first case of Anthrax bacteria infection in almost 20 years. read more
scientists comment on liquid explosives terrorism threat
Following news of an alleged threat to detonate liquid explosives on UK domestic flights, scientists give their comment on the feasability of such a plot. read more
probiotics – what do we know about ‘friendly bacteria’?
In a briefing held jointly with the Society for Applied Microbiology, experts on bacteria in the gut explained the importance of balancing bacteria, discussed examples where ‘good’ bacteria can help treat serious disorders, and emphasised the importance of the quality and quantity of bacteria in probiotic food products. read more
biofuels – the end of our addiction to oil?
In the context of rising emissions and depleting oil reserves, experts on biofuels discussed the possibilities for the future. read more
committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) final report launch
Science Media Centre hosted a press briefing with members of the CoRWM committee to present their final report on storage and disposal of radioactive waste. read more
scientists react to CORWM report on the management of nuclear waste
The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CORWM) released its long awaited report today with suggestions as to what should be done with the UK’s nuclear waste stockpile. The report, launched at the Science Media Centre, suggested that the best course of action is that the waste should be entombed in deep underground silos. read more
scientists react to HFEA announcement of licence for ‘egg sharing’ for research
The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) has announced a scheme, to pilot in the Newcastle NHS Fertility Centre, that will allow women to donate eggs for medical research in return for IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation) treatment. read more
scientists react to flu vaccine announcement
Scientists react to an announcement from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) on the production of a new vaccine against H5N1 Influenza read more
scientists comment on preliminary report into Northwick Park clinical trials
In March this year, a Department of Health Expert Scientific Group chaired by Professor Gordon Duff was set up to investigate the serious adverse reaction suffered by six volunteers after they took the novel drug TGN1412 in a clinical trial at Northwick Park Hospital. Today, scientists commented on the release of a preliminary report from the committee, which presents 22 recommendations to tighten regulations on clinical trials. read more
storage and use of newborn babies’ blood spots
Blood spots from the heels of newborn babies are an amazing resource for scientists, providing them with DNA to use as a baseline for important medical research on diseases like HIV and Leukaemia; screening for some rare but serious conditions; public health monitoring and helping the police for forensic purposes. The Science Media Centre has invited some of the UK’s leading experts on the results of a major public consultation on the storage and use of bloodspots. read more
statistics of scientific procedures on living animals
Science Media Centre hosted a press briefing to allow the Home Office to inform the media of the details of the annual statistics on the use of living animals in scientific procedures. The report was laid before parliament at the same time, and the briefing was an opportunity for journalists to ask questions about the statistics, how they are compiled and what they mean. read more
scientists react to the Home Office statistics on animal research for 2005
Following the publication of the annual national statistics for the number of animals used in scientific research, the Science Media Centre gathered the opinions of scientists on the changes since last year and comments on the importance of this work to the future of medical research. read more
scientist responds to European Union’s announcement on the funding of Stem Cell research
Following speculation that the EU regulations might change to disallow research using Human Embryonic Stem cells, Professor Robin Lovell-Badge commented on what this could mean for the future of work on incurable disease. read more
scientists respond to DEFRA GM-coexistence consultation
Defra has proposed detailed measures to ensure that any growing of genetically modified crops in England will not disadvantage other farmers. Amongst the consultation proposals is the enforcement of strict separation distances between GM crops and their conventional counterparts. read more
experts attack Bush’s plan to veto stem cell bill
In the USA, President George Bush is expected to use his veto to block a Senate bill expanding federal funds for embryonic stem cell research. read more
‘Drugs Rumble’ to mark 75th anniversary of British Pharmacological Society
The Science Media Centre invited five of the UK’s leading pharmacologists to answer questions on the hot topics in pharmacology now and into the future including their views on: the future of clinical trials; drug safety and issues raised by controversies over Vioxx and anti-depressants; animal testing; and concerns raised over prescription errors by trained practitioners in the UK’s hospitals. read more
scientists respond to DEFRA pesticides report
Defra has published its response to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP)’s report Crop spraying and the health of residents and bystanders, and has chosen to accept 25 out of 35 recommendations from the report. read more
new studies from Twins Research Unit
Scientists launched the results of two studies, from the Twins Research Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital, London. One linked low socio-economic status and higher rate of white-blood-cell telomere attrition; a factor known to affect life expectancy. The second study investigated whether the psychological identities of twins are more attributed to genetic likeness or environmental similarity. read more
scientists react to news of artificial sperm fertilisation success
Scientists have shown for the first time that sperm grown from embryonic stem cells can be used to produce offspring. The experiment was carried out using mice and produced seven babies, six of which lived to adulthood. read more