Author Archives: Science Media Centre
environmental experts comment on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report into the Buncefield oil depot explosion
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency released the results of their investigation into the causes and the environmental impact of the explosions at the Buncefield oil depot in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. read more
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) for hereditary cancer: Scientists respond to a paper for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) open meeting in Belfast
HFEA members meet to discuss a range of issues relating to assisted reproduction, embryo research and our role as a regulator. Topics include: women donating eggs for research; embryo screening for breast cancer and similar conditions; inspection programme and incident monitoring. read more
scientific community react angrily to threats made to GlaxoSmithKline shareholders
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) seeks an emergency injunction against animal rights extremists who sent threatening letters to the drug group’s investors and threatened to publish personal details of their investors on the internet. read more
nanotechnology on the high street
Following a huge scare in Germany a few weeks ago when an apparently new nano cleaning product was withdrawn after over 100 people were rushed to hospital after using it, the SMC invited leading nanotechnology producers and scientists to discuss the impact of that health scare and answer other questions about this new science. read more
scientists comment on the H7 avian flu outbreak at a Norfolk poultry farm and the news that a farm worker has shown symptoms of H7 flu
Chickens at a poultry farm in Norfolk are being culled after dead birds tested positive for the H7 strain of bird flu and the HPA has confirmed that a poultry worker at the site is suffering from conjunctivitis after contracting the H7 flu. read more
energy experts react to Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) draft recommendations on how to deal with UK nuclear waste
CoRWM considers geological disposal to be the best available approach for the long-term management of waste material compared with the risks associated with other management methods. read more
human tissue legislation – what does it mean for professionals and the public?
The new Human Tissue Authority (HTA) opens for business, and issues its first ever licence today. Key members of the Authority and clinical professionals briefed the media on the development of the legislation, the scope of the Authority’s regulatory powers and the effect on research, medicine, patients and the public. read more
launch of People’s Petition
The Science Media Centre hosted the launch of the People’s Petition, a pro-animal research petition started by the Coalition for Medical Progress. read more
experts react to the news of the identification of the Cellardyke swan as a Whooper Swan
DNA tests by government scientists have found that a dead swan found in Cellardyke, Scotland which tested positive for H5N1 avian flu was a whooper swan. The migratory species originates from outside the UK and it is unclear whether the dead bird picked up the disease abroad. read more
avian flu – infected swan confirmed in the UK
A whooper swan found dead in Cellerdyke, Scotland has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu. Leading scientists Dr Bob McCracken, Dr Jim Robertson, Dr Alan Hay and Dr Azra Ghani answered questions from the media on what this means for the UK. read more
experts react to the news of a swan infected with H5N1 found in Cellardyke, Scotland
A dead swan found in Cellardyke, Scotland has tested positive for the H5N1 strain of Avian Flu. Fourteen other suspect birds are being tested for the virus by DEFRA’s Veterinary Laboratories Agency. read more
scientists react to latest findings from MHRA on suspended clinical trial
The MHRA released its interim report into the adverse incidents which occurred at Northwick Park Hospital on 13 March 2006 during the clinical trials of TGN1412. The report said that the trial showed no obvious errors, nor could the adverse effects have been predicted. read more
scientists comment on early tetrapod fossil find published in Nature
Fossils of a 375 million year old new species of ancient fish, named Tiktaalik roseae, found north of the Arctic Circle, fill an evolutionary gap in the transition between water and land animals. read more
launch of new report on animal suffering
Both the Nuffield Foundation and the House of Lords select committee on animal research called for a new system of measuring suffering in animal research. Science Media Centre launched a report published by the Animal Procedures Committee (APC) and the Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA), which includes the results of a pilot exercise. read more
experts react to government announcement on climate change
The government’s Climate Change Programme report says that the UK is unlikely to meet its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% by 2010, although it is likely to meet the 12% reduction set out in the Kyoto Agreement. read more
50th anniversary of the contraceptive pill
Together with our friends in the Society for Endocrinology, the Science Media Centre has brought together some of the UK’s leading experts to brief the media on current and future developments in contraception. read more
scientists react to testicular stem cells paper published in Nature
Researchers report that they have isolated stem cells from the adult mouse testis that exhibit properties similar to embryonic stem (ES) cells and could in the future be used for growing genetically matched therapeutic cells. read more
latest research into childhood leukaemia
Leading scientists arrived in the UK to attend a conference that will focus on new and revised treatments and the latest ideas regarding the causes and epidemiology of childhood leukaemia. Key speakers brief the media on some expected outcomes of the conference. read more
UK scientific community responds to Gordon Brown’s budget
The 2006 bugdet is available to view in full online at the website: http://budget2006.treasury.gov.uk/ Professor Colin Blakemore, Chief Executive of … read more
mapping the underworld – don’t dig there!
New projects funded by the DTI and EPSRC will create 3D sub-surface maps, trial new sensor technologies for finding pipes and tagging systems for newly buried pipes to ensure that they never get lost again. Top engineers brief the media on the improvements this could bring. read more