Author Archives: Science Media Centre
Avian Influenza – research breakthroughs and future of this global threat
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) (HPAI) is now a global threat and the scale of bird flu outbreaks across … read more
expert reaction to study on non-invasive deep brain stimulation
A study published in Nature Neuroscience explores a non-invasive deep brain stimulation technique aimed at memory performance. Dr Leah Mursaleen, … read more
expert reaction to study on polygenic risk scores and their performance in screening, prediction and risk stratification
A study published in BMJ Medicine analyses the performance of polygenic risk scores. Prof Gilean McVean, co-founder and President of Genomics plc, … read more
expert reaction to study looking at spermidine supplementation and age-related fertility decline in mice
A study published in Nature Aging looks at the use of spermidine to enhance fertility in mice. Prof Ying Cheong, Professor … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the design and transplantation of kidney grafts from genetically modified pigs into non-human primates
A new study published in Nature looks at kidney transplants from GM pigs into primates. Prof Dusko Ilic, Professor of Stem … read more
expert reaction to study looking at whether navigational mistakes could be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease
A study published in Current Biology looks at navigational mistakes as a possible sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Leah Mursaleen, Head … read more
expert reaction to study on genome editing in chickens to control avian influenza transmission
A study published in Nature Communications uses genome editing in chickens to control avian influenza transmission. Prof Timm Harder, Laboratory … read more
expert reaction to bedbug situation in the UK
Scientists react to the news of a possible Bedbug outbreak in the UK. Prof James Logan, Professor of Medical … read more
expert reaction to study looking at long-term symptoms after other acute respiratory infections (including the common cold) versus after COVID-19
A study published in eClinicalMedicine looks at long term symptoms associated with respiratory infections such as the common cold versus … read more
expert reaction to study looking at risk of gastrointestinal adverse events with GLP-1 agonists (e.g. semaglutide or liraglutide) when used for weight loss
A study published in JAMA looks at the risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects when taking semaglutide or liraglutide weight loss … read more
expert reaction to bedbug situation in Paris
Scientists respond to news of a bed bug outbreak in Paris. Prof James Logan, Professor of Medical Entomology and … read more
expert reaction to PM proposing incremental raising of smoking age in England
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has proposed incremental raising of the smoking age in England. Prof Caitlin Notley, Professor of … read more
the public need good scientists to enter the fray, industry links or not
This is a guest post by Fiona Lethbridge, Senior Press Manager at the SMC. It’s not every day an … read more
expert reaction to the World Health Organization recommending the R21/Matrix-M vaccine for malaria prevention
The World Health Organisation have recommended the new R21/Matrix-M vaccine for malaria prevention. Sir Brian Greenwood, Professor of Clinical … read more
Expert Encounter with Jim Skea, Chair of IPCC
On 2nd October, Professor Jim Skea came to the SMC to meet the science and environment journalists who will be … read more
expert reaction to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman being awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine
Dr Katalin Karikó and Dr Drew Weissman have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for their work … read more
expert reaction to new NHS Digital / UKHSA childhood vaccination coverage statistics for England
New childhood vaccination coverage statistics have been published by UKHSA. Prof Helen Bedford, Professor of Child Public Health, Great … read more
Ultra-processed food – what does the science say?
The topic of ultra-processed foods has entered the public debate this year, after celebrities and others in the public eye … read more
State of Nature Report
The State of Nature report, led by the RSPB and with over 50 partners, uses nearly 50 years of data … read more
expert reaction to quarterly vaccination coverage statistics for children aged up to 5 years in the UK (COVER programme): April to June 2023
Vaccination coverage statistics for children in the UK have been published by the UKHSA. Prof Jonathan Ball, Professor of … read more