Author Archives: Science Media Centre
scientist comments on anxiety gene finding
The Science Media Centre asked a pharmacologist to comment on a paper published in the journal Science on a gene that may be related to mood and anxiety disorders common in human populations. read more
scientists react to the announcement of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, 2006
The Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2006 has gone to Roger D. Kornberg Stanford University for his studies of the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription. read more
scientists react to the announcement of the Nobel Prize for Physics, 2006
The Nobel Prize for Physics 2006 has gone to John C Mather and George F Smoot for their discovery of the blackbody form and fluctuations of cosmic microwave background radiation. read more
the science of abortion time limits
The Science Media Centre brought together three leading scientists in the field to brief journalists on the current state of science on foetal viability and to answer questions about the science surrounding time limits on abortion. read more
scientists react to the announcement of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, 2006
The Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine 2006 has gone to Andrew Z. Fire and Craig C. Mello for their discovery of RNA interference (RNAi). read more
scientists respond to DEFRA’s nanotechnology voluntary reporting scheme
Defra has today launched a new initiative to work towards addressing any potential risks posed by the products of nanotechnologies. read more
engineering expert reacts to news of Maglev train crash in Germany
At least 23 people have died today when an elevated magnetic train crashed on a test track near Lathen in north-western Germany. read more
Met Office winter forecast
Met Office experts came to the Science Media Centre to offer their weather forecast for winter 2006/7. They discussed the possibilities for the coming months and the likelihood of a warmer/colder than average or wetter/drier than average winter. The odds were pretty even for all outcomes this year so as tradition has it, anything could happen with regard to the British weather! The forecasters also discussed the imminent consequences of Hurricane Gordon. read more
scientists react to discovery of early human fossil remains as published in Nature
The discovery of a fossilised juvenile Australopithecus afarensis in Ethiopia was reported in Nature today, it is believed to be from the same species as the key specimen, named ‘Lucy’, found in 1974. read more
new research on acne drug and depression
A researcher from Bath University, Dr Sarah Bailey, gave a short media briefing where talked journalists through the findings of her research into the link between a commonly used acne drug and depression. To date, the only evidence for a link has come from individual patients and is mostly anecdotal. Dr Bailey’s work with mice in a laboratory provides the first scientific evidence and provides a useful model for future research. read more
pharmacology expert responds to new research on acne drug and depression
This comment was in response to a Science Media Centre press briefing in which Dr Sarah Bailey (University of Bath) gave a summary of the findings of her research into the link between a commonly used acne drug and depression. read more
scientists react to launch of HFEA consultation on egg donation for fertility research
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has announced it will be seeking public opinion on plans to allow women to donate their eggs in return for fertility treatment. read more
scientists react to ‘Brain activity in a vegative state’ paper to be published in Science
A group of collaborating UK and Belgian scientists have reported a study showing that a woman in a ‘vegetative state’ following severe head trauma can successfully understand spoken words. read more
commencement of the Human Tissue Act on 1 September 2006
In a briefing hosted by the Science Media Centre, members of the Human Tissue Authority briefed the media on changes heralded by the Human Tissue Act which was about to come into action. This generated a tremendous volume of coverage, particularly of the story stating that the wishes of the deceased will take priority with regard to organ donation. read more
leading UK scientific bodies defend science education
In advance of the GCSE results tomorrow, the scientific community reacts to recent stories on low-uptake of science and shortage of science and engineering graduates. read more
scientists react to Nature paper describing a new technique for producing human embryonic stem cells
US scientists report creating ‘ethical’ human embryonic stem cells in the laboratory, a technique that could bypass the need for embryos to be destroyed. read more
could a Hurricane Katrina style flood happen in the UK?
Climate change, flooding, flood risk and flood defense experts came together at the Science Media Centre to outline the future risks to UK populations of flooding. They described how the coincidence of several weather and tidal phenomena could put certain parts of the UK at extreme risk of severe floods. read more
microbiologist reacts to anthrax death in Scotland
A 50 year-old man is believed to have died today in Scotland from the UK’s first case of Anthrax bacteria infection in almost 20 years. read more
scientists comment on liquid explosives terrorism threat
Following news of an alleged threat to detonate liquid explosives on UK domestic flights, scientists give their comment on the feasability of such a plot. read more
probiotics – what do we know about ‘friendly bacteria’?
In a briefing held jointly with the Society for Applied Microbiology, experts on bacteria in the gut explained the importance of balancing bacteria, discussed examples where ‘good’ bacteria can help treat serious disorders, and emphasised the importance of the quality and quantity of bacteria in probiotic food products. read more