Author Archives: Science Media Centre
scientists respond to ‘Mice Without a Father’ paper published in Nature
As a laboratory mouse is born by virgin birth, the first case of successful parthenogenesis in a mammal, experts respond. read more
livestock disease: the consequence of our global farm?
We are living on a global farm. Speed of movement of animals and people and even factors like global warming mean that we can no longer be complacent about the threats posed by diseases in livestock. As the BBSRC commit £9 million to research into these diseases, experts discuss the major threats and what is being done. read more
amazon deforestation – Rapid Reaction
Experts to comment on the rate of deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon jungle as scientists voice fears of its effects on the global climate and the threat it poses to unique plant and animal species. read more
foiled chemical terrorist attack – Rapid Reaction
Chemists able to explain what osmium tetroxide is as it is implicated in a foiled terrorist attack. read more
scientists respond to publication of rat genome
The work on the rat genome was conducted by an international team, led by scientists at the US Baylor College of Medicine, and reported in the journal Nature. read more
microbicides – preventing HIV Infection
Microbicides offer a possible new way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in the form of a cream or gel. Prior to a conference next week, scientists consider this potential. read more
scientists respond to UK biodiversity “crisis”
Experts responding to reports in the journal Science identifying alarming trends in the UK of rapidly reducing biodiversity, including the loss of butterfly, bird and plant species. read more
report on global TB drug resistance
The Science Media Centre hosted the World Health Organisation press conference to launch this report. read more
egg production in mice – Rapid Reaction
The Science Media Centre found experts to comment on the finding that mice continue to produce eggs after they are born and the implications of this on future treatments for human fertility and the menopause. read more
scientists welcome government announcement on GM crops
This followed the Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett’s announcement that a variety of genetically modified maize could be growm in Britain after 15 years of field trials and four years of farm-scale evaluations (FSEs). read more
Adrian Smith inquiry into post-14 maths education
The Science Media Centre hosts the press conference to announce the results of this enquiry. read more
mathematicians comment on news of maths education overhaul
The Science Media Centre asked mathematicians to respond to the Adrian Smith enquiry into post-14 Maths Education. read more
MMR research allegations – Rapid Reaction
The Science Media Centre found experts to comment on the revelations in the Sunday Times about conflicts of interest in Dr Andrew Wakefield’s research into the MMR vaccine. read more
scientists comment on human stem cell story
Responses to the news that South Korean Scientists have successfully cloned 30 human embryos to obtain cloned embryonic stem cells which they hope could one day be used to treat disease. read more
Human Tissue Bill – a threat to medical research?
While there is wide agreement that there is a need for new and clear legislation in the wake of the Alder Hey and Bristol organ scandals, there is a growing consensus that the Human Tissue Bill as it is currently drafted could cause serious damage to medical research and may criminalise activities that form a crucial part of normal clinical, pathological or research practice. read more
submit research to expert scrutiny, public tells scientists
75% of the British public have no idea what ‘peer review in scientific publications’ means, or can’t define it correctly according to a new MORI poll commissioned by the Science Media Centre and Nature.
However the survey also shows that the vast majority (71%) of the public favour replication or the kind of scrutiny provided by peer review – the process by which scientists review and criticize each others’ work before they make it public.
When asked what scientists whose research raises concerns about the possible risks to human health and safety should do, 30% opted for something along the lines of peer review. 41% want an even more rigorous system where results are replicated by other scientists and results confirmed before going public.
Fewer than one in ten people believe that scientists whose findings had raised concerns about possible risks to human health and safety should issue these straight to the media.
The director of the Science Media Centre, and other people involved in the dissemination of scientific research findings or the canvassing of public opinion, commented on this story. read more
endocrine disruptors – a threat to human health & wildlife?
Endocrine Disruptors are chemicals (both synthetic and natural) found in our environment, that disrupt hormone activity. A recently published study by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry said that, “understanding the scientific issues surrounding endocrine active substances is an international priority”. read more
scientists respond to news of primate research centre turnaround
Scientists respond to the announcement that plans for a new Primate Research Centre in Cambridge are being axed. read more
avian flu in humans
The Science Media Centre asked experts on epidemiology, flu and vaccines to comment on the recent cases of avian flu in humans.
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scientists appeal to editors over bogus cloning claims
Some of the UK’s leading scientists have written an open letter to media editors appealing to them to review the prominence given to maverick scientists claiming to have cloned the first human being. read more