Author Archives: Science Media Centre
watercress and cancer
The Science Media Centre asked a leading cancer expert to comment on recent evidence that watercress might be protective against cancer. read more
obesity risk from prenatal chemical exposure
Scientists commented to findings from mouse studies, published in Science, suggesting that exposure to certain compounds found in plastics and pesticides whilst in the womb raised the risk of obesity later in life. read more
scientists react to human brain stem cell findings as reported in Science
The study in question found evidence of migration of stem cells in the human brain. read more
scientists comment on finding of bird flu link to Hungary
These comments followed the findings that the H5N1 bird flu viruses found in Britain and Hungry were genetically almost identical. read more
connecting for health: will e-health make us healthier?
Leading medical and computer experts presented their thoughts on the major benefits to medical research and patient care that they believe should be brought about by the much criticised NHS Connecting for Health and the National Programme for IT. read more
Branson announcement of climate change prize
Scientists commented on the launch of a competition by Richard Branson with a $25 million prize for the best way of removing significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. read more
development in letter bomb investigation
After letter bombers struck for a third day in a row, the Science Media Centre asked an engineering expert to comment on the police announcement that the letters contained a pyrotechnic charge. read more
long term nuclear waste management: The next steps?
The Science Media Centre invited key authors of this major international report on nuclear waste management to brief journalists on their recommendations in light of the UK Government’s CORWM report of 2006. They discussed the suitability of the various potential sites for burial, the prospect of sealing the repositories and made recommendations for future action by the Government. read more
engineering expert comments on the explosion of a letter bomb in central London
The letter bomb exploded in an office on Victoria street. read more
continuing news of H5N1 avian flu outbreak in Suffolk
Professor Jim Robertson, Principal Scientist in Virology, NIBSC, said: “At the moment in the UK the general public still have … read more
scientists respond to discovery of bird flu in Suffolk
This follows the discovery that the poultry deaths at a Suffolk turkey farm were due to an avian flu virus of the H5 strain. read more
development in investigation of avian flu outbreak in Suffolk
These comments follow the discovery that the avian flu virus responsible for the outbreak in turkeys in Suffolk was the H5N1 strain. read more
scientists react to announcement that BP biosciences institute will go to USA
The Energy Biosciences Institute will research the production of new, cleaner energy, initially focussing on transport biofuels, and will be based on campuses in Berkeley and Illinois. read more
veterinary expert responds to the news of poultry deaths in Suffolk
This follows the news that turkeys at a Suffolk farm had died following a ‘mystery illness’. read more
reaction to the first summary report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
UK experts commented on the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group 1, Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. This document is the first of three summaries of the 4th assessment report released in 2007. It focused on understanding of the human and natural drivers of climate change, observed climate change, and estimates of projected future climate change. read more
scientists comment on launch of Virgin Stem Cell Bank
This follows the announcement by Richard Branson of plans to store stem cells from the umbilical cord blood of new-born babies to aid medical research. read more
forensic science and technology
Forensic techniques are now widely used in crime cases and new techniques are even being used retrospectively to solve old crimes. The Science Media Centre invited scientists to brief the press on the current issues in forensic science, DNA technology, and new technologies for solving crimes. read more
breakthrough in understanding of the brain basis of cigarette addiction
A professor of clinical neuroscience commented on the finding, published in the journal Science, that patients with damage to a particular brain area find it easier to give up smoking. read more
stem cell scientists seize the media agenda on human-animal embryos
Setting up a press briefing a few days before Christmas for a few days after Christmas on an incredibly controversial … read more
devon oil spill
The Science Media Centre asked scientists and engineers to comment on the consequences of the leakage of oil and other chemicals from the ship MSC Napoli which was beached off the Devon coast. read more