Author Archives: Science Media Centre
future foods – can junk food ever be good for us?
We welcome two scientists who are investigating ways to reduce the fat, sugar and salt content of convenience foods without changing their taste and texture. read more
scientists respond to announcement on science spending
The announcement of an increase in spending was made by Tony Blair during a visit to Imperial College London, with Trade and Industry secretary Patricial Hewitt. read more
briefing on the environmental impact of food miles
As our food is shipped, flown and driven round the world, many of us feel that this can’t be good for the environment. We welcome an environmental scientist and a food policy expert to announce the results of the first research into the real environmental cost of our weekly shop. read more
new tissue bank for medical research
Sir James Underwood and Prof Jeanne Bell announce the launch of a project in Edinburgh to set up a unique new tissue bank to aid research into brain pathology. read more
avian flu
We prepared a long list of scientists able to answer questions on the risks posed by avian flu and comment on the UK’s Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan. read more
food colouring and cancer – Rapid Reaction
We gathered experts to speak to the media as the Food Standards Agency issued a warning that traces of the cancer-causing dye Sudan 1 had been found in some foods. read more
kyoto protocol – Rapid Reaction
On the day that the Kyoto Protocol to cut greenhouse gas emissions came into force, we collected comments from scientists. read more
reaction to the HFEA’s decision on therapeutic cloning license
Our first ever regional briefing bringing Ian Wilmut and colleagues to announce to the press in Edinburgh the result of their application to the HFEA to conduct therapeutic cloning in their research of Motor Neurone Disease. read more
scientists react to news of human cloning license to study Motor Neurone Disease
Scientists and patients comment on the decision by the HFEA to grant a human therapeutic cloning license to Ian Wilmut and colleagues. read more
cancer vaccines – are we on the verge of a major breakthrough in cancer prevention?
Leading experts brief the press on the promise of vaccines against cancer discussing ongoing media trials and whether talk of a breakthrough is hype or reality. read more
scientists welcome crackdown on animal extremism
Reactions to the Governments’ amendment to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill making it a criminal offence to cause ‘economic damage’ through campaigns of intimidation. read more
world’s largest climate change experiment: first published result
Scientists announce the first results of the world’s largest ever climate-modelling experiment as it is published in Nature. The experiment gets participants across the world to download free software onto their computers which runs through climate scenarios while the computer lies idle. The results are reported back to the researchers via the internet and used to make predictions about the climate in the 21st century. read more
scientists react to ‘Give Life – Give Hope’ campaign to increase the number of sperm and egg donors
The Science Media Centre collected responses from a range of concerned scientists as the government launched this campaign to encourage sperm and egg donors. All children conceived via donors from April 2005 will be able to obtain information about their parents when they turn 18. read more
managing Nuclear Waste – what solution does the science offer?
Disposal of nuclear waste is a pressing issue as power stations are decommissioned and we are left with hundreds of thousands of tonnes of high level radioactive waste. As the Government stands accused of failing to develop a coherent strategy to tackle this, we bring together experts to outline the solutions suggested by the best scientific evidence and point to actions being taken in other European countries. read more
launch of a new Centre for Science of the Mind
We welcome Baroness Susan Greenfield and colleagues to announce a two year pilot study of a unique new research centre in Oxford. The Oxford Centre for Science of the Mind (OXCSOM) will bring together neuroscience, philosophy and theology to study the origins of belief. read more
briefing on latest EPICure premature baby study findings
Established in 1995, this study follows children born in the UK and Eire at less than 26 weeks gestational age during a 10 month period in 1995. The authors discuss the latest paper assessing neurological and cognitive impairment when the group reached 6 years of age. read more
launch of the Environment Agency’s first science strategy
The Environment Agency’s new science strategy places new emphasis on the use of science to inform their regulatory work. We welcome scientists to brief journalists on how the Agency will be using research to meet their priorities including combating the effects of pollution, climate change and ionizing radiation. read more
robert Winston and the HFEA – Rapid Reaction
We found experts to give their opinions as Robert Winston spoke out about his criticisms of the HFEA. read more
scientists respond to pre-budget report
Responses to Gordon Brown’s announcement of a long-term plan of investment in science education and industry in his pre-budget report. read more
cannabis and mental health
Experts in London for the Institute of Psychiatry’s conference on cannabis and health speak to journalists on topics ranging from the neurobiology of cannabis to its effect on mental health including the unveiling of new research published in the BMJ by Prof Jim van Os on the links between cannabis use and psychosis. read more