Author Archives: Science Media Centre
preventing dementia: the potential for the future
High blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity and an inactive lifestyle increase the risk of developing heart disease but research now indicates they may also be contributing to the development of dementia. In a national first, the Alzheimer’s Society brought together four leading heart, stroke and dementia experts at the Science Media Centre to discuss how the conditions may interact and the opportunities to reduce the risk of them developing. They summarised the latest research news and discussed the launch of collaborative initiatives to tackle this important area. read more
scientists and engineers react to Brown’s cabinet shake-up
The cabinet shake-up saw the administration of science moving from within the Department of Trade and Industry to the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills. read more
experts react to judicial review ruling on the HFEA and Mohammed Taranissi case
Scientists reacted to a High Court ruling that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority had acted illegally in acquiring warrants to search the clinics of fertility doctor Mohammed Taranissi. read more
scientists respond to reported advance towards synthetic genomes
An expert in molecular microbiology commented on the report that a research group led by Dr Craig Venter had successfully removed the DNA from a bacterial cell and replaced it with the DNA of another species of bacteria. read more
scientists respond to bishops’ comments on hybrid embryos
Roman Catholic bishops urged that hybrid human-animal embryos be considered as human, and allowed to develop into children. read more
experts respond to news of flooding in the UK
Flooding affected many regions within the UK, and was most severe in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Midlands. read more
scientists and engineers react to DEFRA nuclear waste announcement
DEFRA announced that it would begin the process of consulting with communities over where to site a nuclear waste repository. read more
scientists comment on new published research on echinacea and colds
The study, published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, showed that echinacea could reduce the chances of catching a cold. read more
2nd generation biofuels: green fuel without the grief?
Launching the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC) report on the feasibility of generating 2nd generation biofuels in the UK. read more
scientists react to cervical cancer vaccine announcement
The Government announced that girls aged 12 and 13 could be vaccinated against HPV, the virus which causes cervical cancer, in a national vaccination programme. read more
MTAS/MMC: has the crisis been resolved?
Journalists were invited to meet junior doctors who are now unemployed because of the ill-fated doctor’s recruitment system. read more
publication of report on badgers and bovine TB
Scientists commented on the publication of the report of the Independent Scientific Group (ISG) on cattle TB, which highlighted the high costs and low benefits of adopting a badger culling programme. read more
results of new national soil survey
Experts from a collaboration led by the Environment Agency reported on the results of a 27-month survey measuring pollutants in soils and plants, to give a picture of the level of contamination across the UK and a baseline for future monitoring. read more
why are there still no HIV vaccines?
The Science Media Centre and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) invited three of the world’s leading experts on HIV vaccines to brief journalists on the latest research and clinical trials in this area, and the feasibility of developing HIV vaccines in the future. read more
scientists respond to new breast cancer genes finding
A paper published in Nature described the discovery of new genes predisposing women to breast cancer. read more
scientists react to suspected avian flu outbreak
This followed the discovery of the H7N2 flu virus in Denbighshire, North Wales. read more
scientists and engineers respond to the new Energy White Paper
The White Paper detailed plans for future energy policy in the UK, including a go-ahead for a new generation of nuclear reactors. read more
scientists react to the development of ‘miracle water’ to aid wound healing
The ‘super-oxidised’ water developed by scientists in California was shown to speed up wound healing, potentially important in the treatment of wounds in diabetes. read more
Professor John Henry (1939-2007): tribute to a media friendly scientist
John Henry was a dear friend of the Science Media Centre and, judging by the reactions I received by sending out news … read more
planes and climate change
As part of a series of briefings on technological approaches to tackling climate change, the SMC ran a briefing on proposed measures to make planes and flying more environmentally friendly, and whether such measures are technologically feasible. read more