Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
are clinical trials safe?
In the wake of the Parexel clinical trial tragedy, the SMC is bringing some of the UK’s leading experts on clinical trials to answer the big questions raised regarding safety of biological treatments (like monoclonal antibodies) and the use of laboratory testing. read more
launch of new report by ACRE
In response to a request from the Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs, ACRE (Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment) is publishing their report on the wider implications of the Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops. Scientists propose a detailed approach to regulating new technologies and present case studies of how it could work in practise. read more
scientist react to Parexcel drug trial tragedy
Two men are critically ill and another four are seriously ill in the intensive care unit of Northwick Park hospital after taking an anti-inflammatory drug as part of a drug trial. read more
UK Biobank – controversial project finally takes off
After years of planning, the start-up phase of one of UK science’s most controversial projects – the gathering and storage of information and biological samples from half a million British people – gets underway mid-March. The project leaders briefed the media about its objectives, its design and its ethics. read more
experts react to Natalie Evans case ruling
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that a woman left infertile after cancer treatment cannot use her frozen embryos to have a baby without the consent of her former partner. read more
avian flu – if it hits the UK….
With the imminent infection of UK bird populations, experts brief the media on questions such as: Is it safe to eat chicken and eggs? How will this affect the UK poultry industry? What measures should the person in the street take to avoid avian flu? Who is most at risk? What does it mean for wild birds? read more
stem cell policy and practice
The world’s leading stem cell scientists and bioethicists from 14 different countries attended a conference in Cambridge to explore the challenges that scientists, universities and scientific journals face across national boundaries. The SMC invited several attendees to brief the media on the main conclusions of the conference and the formation of the new ‘Hinxton Group’ for stem cell policy. read more
UK drought 2006 – what does the future hold?
Two hydrologists and an ecologist from the NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) briefed the media on the potentially dramatic consequences of this winter’s dry spell for the UK’s ecology. read more
avian flu – which treatments work?
There is a vast array of products out there from elderberry extracts to mega doses of vitamin C to sauer kraut, oregano oil, colloidal silver, aloe vera, and garlic. Each one claims efficacy against H5N1 avian flu, but do any of them actually work? Experts explain whether these wild and wonderful treatments work, as well as conventional anti-viral drugs. read more
scientists react to Government announcement on pneumococcal vaccine
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson announced the addition of a vaccine protecting against a disease that causes blood poisoning, meningitis and pneumonia to the UK child immunisation programme. read more
nanotechnology and human health: an inventory of risk-related research
Over the next decade, there will be an onslaught of nanotech products that hold great promise for revolutionizing how we manufacture products, communicate with each other, and treat disease. But with this technology comes a number of uncertainties about health, safety and environmental impacts. Dr Andrew Maynard briefed journalists on his recently compiled inventory on government-funded nanotechnology research. read more
Alzheimer’s community react to NICE decision on drugs
In a briefing held jointly with the Alzheimer’s society, researchers and charities gave their first reaction to the NICE announcement on the provision of dementia drugs. read more
mobile phones and gliomas
A new study published in the ‘British Medical Journal’ shows that there is no link between mobile phone use and glioma – the most common form of adult brain tumour. Two of the scientists who carried out the study presented their findings and explained how the data fits into the context of past and future research into mobile phone safety. read more
accessing personal data for medical research
The SMC ran a press briefing to launch a report by the Academy of Medical Sciences. The report highlighted bureaucracy, confusing regulations and constraints on researchers’ access to health data. Three authors of the report presented their findings. read more
climate change and energy: does the public see a need for new nuclear power?
As the Government began its new review on the future of UK energy, we revealed the results of an extensive survey of British public attitudes and discuss what they say about public support for nuclear, renewables and the need to tackle climate change. read more
the impact of Hwang investigation findings on UK cloning research
As investigations from South Korea confirm the scientific community’s worst fears about the level of fraudulent data from Hwang’s team, the SMC has responded to the media’s requests for a background briefing about the impact of the crisis on cloning research. The following scientists answered questions from journalists on cloning research in the UK: Alison Murdoch, Stephen Minger, Chris Shaw, Robin Lovell-Badge, Anne McLaren. read more
scientists react to Hwang investigation findings
The Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk was found to have fabricated findings in his research into human embryo cloning, which had the potential to provide sources of stem cells for use in treatments of disease. read more
fertility rumble
Journalists were given the chance to question leading fertility experts on procedures currently under review or public consultation by the DOH or HFEA. These topics included sex selection, regulating IVF, PGD for late onset disorders, single-embryo transfer, the post-code lottery on access and on quality. read more
infectious disease – challenges for the future
At a major international conference organised by the Society for Applied Microbiology, scientists have been addressing questions on the impact of climate change on infectious disease; pandemic flu planning; and improvements in TB vaccines. Key speakers briefed journalists on the major conclusions as the conference draws to a close in London. read more