Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to a study on brain stimulation and improvement in tasks on working and long-term memory
A study published in Nature Neuroscience looks at the use of repetitive neuromodulation to improve working memory and long-term memory … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the effect of non-nutritive sweeteners on human microbiomes and glycaemic levels
A study published Cell Press looks at microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance. Dr Sarah Berry, … read more
expert reaction to Russian claims that a Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant accident could spread radiation across parts of Europe
There have been a number of media reports on Russia’s claims that the occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine … read more
expert reaction to study investigating use of genetic risk score for prostate cancer in men with lower urinary tract symptoms to predict diagnosis
A study published in the British Journal of Cancer looks at the use of a genetic risk score to predict … read more
Risk of neurological and psychiatric conditions 2 years after COVID-19 infection
Researchers have studied medical records from over 1.25 million people in the US to assess the risk of developing neurological … read more
expert reaction to study on risk of neurological and psychiatric conditions up to two years after COVID-19 infection
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry looks at neurological and psychiatric risk trajectories after SARS-CoV-2 infection. This Roundup accompanied … read more
expert reaction to study on safety of pre-fertilisation DNA transfer to avoid mitochondrial disease
A study published in PLOS Biology looks at the safety of spindle transfer for preventing transfer of mitochondrial mutations from … read more
expert reaction to JCVI advice on COVID-19 vaccines for the autumn booster programme
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has published its advice on which COVID-19 vaccines should be used in … read more
expert reaction to MHRA approving Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine
Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine has today been approved for adult booster doses by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory … read more
expert reaction to the anticipated UK drought
Several journalists have asked the SMC about the prolonged period of dry weather and anticipated drought this summer. Below are … read more
expert reaction to study looking at rate of Arctic warming
A study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, suggests that the Arctic is warming at a faster rate than the rest … read more
dry weather in the UK – the science of droughts
The SMC has had several media enquiries on the current dry weather situation and whether we are in a drought … read more
expert reaction to review paper looking at the response of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet to past and future climate change
A review paper published in Nature looks at the response of the East Antarctic ice sheet to past and future … read more
expert reaction to update from the UKHSA on the poliovirus in sewage situation, and that all children aged 1 to 9 in London will be offered a dose of polio vaccine
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have announced that, following the discovery of vaccine-derived poliovirus in sewage in north and east … read more
expert reaction to UKHSA issuing level 3 heat health alert
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have issued a heat-health alert as high temperatures are forecast for much of the … read more
expert reaction to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and media reports of shelling
A few journalists have asked us about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, so here is a comment from Dr Mark Wenman … read more
expert reaction to study looking at early time-restricted eating and weight loss in obese adults
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine looks at the effectiveness of time-restricted eating (TRE) for weight loss, fat loss, … read more
expert reaction to latest stats from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, UK: 5 August 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, … read more
expert reaction to study attempting to generate rat sperm cells inside sterile mice using a technique called blastocyst complementation
A study published in Stem Cell Reports looks at the generation of rat sperm cells inside sterile mice. Prof … read more
expert reaction to news that Sir Patrick Vallance will step down as GCSA at the end of his 5 year post
It has been reported that Sir Patrick Vallance will be stepping down from his role as the government’s Chief Scientific … read more