Author Archives: Science Media Centre
fertility expert comments on the HFEA’s call for a national strategy on multiple births and fertility treatment
The HFEA recommended that IVF clinics implant fewer embryos at a time, to reduce the rate of multiple births and the complications associated with them. read more
back from the brink: the science of survival
Hugh Montgomery, this year’s Royal Institution Chrismas Lecturer, spoke to journalists about his forthcoming lecture series which focuses on the capacity of the human body to endure extreme physical hardship. read more
scientists react to new paper on induced pluripotent stem cells
The research published in the journal Nature Biotechnology shed more light on which genetic factors are critical in the reprogramming of adult skin cells to become other types of cell. In this study the researchers achieved reprogramming of adult cells without the use of a gene which has been linked to the development of tumours. read more
‘the killer in me’ / ‘decode me’
The Science Media Centre invited geneticists and clinicians to brief journalists on the rapidly moving field of predictive genetic testing, including the reliability of ready-made testing kits, and the ethical issues raised by the possibility of testing for a disease that is currently untreatable. read more
scientists react to news on community-acquired MRSA
Results presented at the Federation of Infections Societies Conference in Cardiff highlighted the dangers posed by particular strains of MRSA which are spread outside of hospitals and can lead to a serious lung condition called necrotising pneumonia. read more
experts comment on Government’s revised pandemic flu plan
The plan, announced by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, included the doubling of the UK’s current stockpile of antiviral drugs. read more
loss of child benefit records – Rapid Reaction
Following the loss of child benefit data from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Science Media Centre found experts on data storage and security who were available to answer journalists’ queries. read more
scientists react to new research on nuclear reprogramming
The findings, made in parallel by two research groups, were published in the journals Cell and Science. The researchers were able to ‘reprogram’ adult skin cells to become cells of a different tissue type. read more
release of ‘Final Synthesis’ report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Science Media Centre asked climate change experts to comment on the 4th and final report from the UN’s climate science panel, which summarises the findings of the three more comprehensive reports released earlier this year. read more
getting Omega-3 into the food chain – GM crops and farming practices
Experts involved in a five-year project to increase levels of Omega-3 consumption through innovative farming techniques spoke to journalists about the science behind the enrichment of food in this way. read more
scientists react to news of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian flu
Dr John McCauley, MRC National Institute For Medical Research, said: “The virus is most closely related to H5N1 viruses isolated … read more
Dr Leroy Hood
Leading systems biologist Dr Leroy Hood spoke to journalists about the possibility that personalised healthcare might become commonplace in the next 20 years, allowing the prediction and prevention of many medical conditions. read more
the ethics of public health – launch of the Nuffield Council report
The Science Media Centre invited the authors of a new report by the Nuffield Council of Bioethics to brief journalists on the conclusions of this report, which looked at how and when the Government should intervene to improve public health. read more
scientists react to news of H5N1 avian flu
The virus was discovered in turkeys on a farm in Diss, Norfolk. read more
MRC Brain and Tissue Bank
Journalists were invited to meet with scientists from the Medical Research Council’s tissue bank, established 2 years ago, which holds samples of brain and other tissue vital for human disease research. read more
carbon capture and storage – having your cake and eating it?
Amid reports that the UK will fail to meet its targets for reducing carbon emissions, and ahead of the Government’s announcement of its carbon capture and storage competition, experts in this field came to the SMC to discuss how it works, what strategies are available, and how it can be deployed on a wider scale. read more
scientists and engineers react to Queen’s speech
The Queen’s speech includes measures for building a new generation of nuclear power stations. read more
scientists react to latest figures of superbug infections
Figures released by the Health Protection Agency show that MRSA cases have fallen and C.Diff cases are still increasing, albeit at a lesser rate. read more
the rebound effect
Experts from the UK Energy Research Centre discussed the findings of their comprehensive review of so-called ‘Rebound Effects’, in which energy-saving tactics lead to a false sense of security when it comes to environmentally friendly behaviour, and may end up having the opposite effect. read more
scientists react to Science and Technology Select Committee’s report into scientific developments and the Abortion Act
The STC report on abortion includes recommendations on the number of doctors required to approve an abortion, the length of time at which abortion can be safely carried out, and the question of whether the fetus has the ability to feel pain. read more