Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to UKHSA press release suggesting that tick borne encephalitis is now likely to be present in England
A new risk assessment, published by a multi-agency cross-government committee, reports that tick borne encephalitis is now likely to be … read more
expert reaction to association between age of menopause and use of hormone therapy with tau and β-Amyloid in the brain
A study published in JAMA Neurology looks at age at menopause and hormone therapy use, and tau and β-Amyloid in … read more
expert reaction to association between maternal exposure to lithium in drinking water and risk for autism spectrum disorder in offspring
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics looks at estimated maternal exposure to lithium in drinking water in Denmark, and risk … read more
expert reaction to ChatGPT being banned in Italy
It has been reported that the Italian privacy regulator ordered a ban on ChatGPT on Friday. Prof Nello Cristianini, … read more
expert reaction to three papers looking at unexplained childhood hepatitis and adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2)
Three papers, published in Nature*, have looked at the causes of the unexplained childhood hepatitis outbreaks which occurred in 2022. … read more
expert reaction to government announcement on energy and net zero
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published* a policy plan setting out aims to enhance the … read more
expert reaction to latest technical report on avian flu
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published* a new technical report on the risk to human health from avian … read more
expert reaction to ONS data on risk of death following COVID-19 vaccination or positive SARS-CoV-2 test in young people, England: 8 December 2020 to 25 May 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released* a statistical bulletin estimating the risk of all-cause and cardiac death in … read more
expert reaction to study of teen vaping and persistent smoking in the US
A study, published in JAMA Network Open*, has looked at any link between teen vaping levels and persistent adolescent cigarette smoking … read more
expert reaction to study looking at physical exercise and cognition
A study, published in Nature Human Behaviour*, has looked at a potential link between physical exercise and cognition. Prof Eef … read more
expert reaction to Poole harbour pipeline spill
Poole Harbour Commissioners have announced* that 200 barrels of “reservoir fluid” have leaked from a pipeline into the harbour. … read more
expert reaction to the news that the government are to ban nitrous oxide/laughing gas as part of their antisocial behaviour action plan
The UK government has announced* that possession of nitrous oxide for human consumption will be made a criminal offence. … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, UK: 24 March 2023, which is the final weekly Infection Survey release
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released* the final COVID-19 Infection Survey data set. Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter, … read more
expert reaction to precision breeding bill passed into law
The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act has been granted Royal Assent and passed into law in the UK today. … read more
Brain Prize 2023 – Announcement of Winners
The Brain Prize is awarded by the Lundbeck Foundation in Denmark and is worth more than £1m (€1.3m). Awarded annually, … read more
expert reaction to US study looking at safety and effectiveness of new sperm sex selection technique in couples undergoing ICSI IVF cycles
A study published in PLOS ONE looks at the safety and efficacy of a novel sperm sex selection technique. … read more
expert reaction to review of global literature on social media use, body image and eating disorders in young people
A scoping review published in PLOS Global Public Health investigates the association between social media, body image and eating disorders … read more
Hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer incidence
While there is substantial evidence suggesting an association between the use of combined oral contraceptives, containing both oestrogen and progestogen, … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the association between hormonal contraceptive use and breast cancer incidence
A study published in PLOS Medicine looks at combined and progestagen-only hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer risk. This Roundup accompanied … read more
What has happened to alcohol-related deaths and hospitalisations in Scotland since minimum unit pricing was brought in?
Minimum unit pricing for alcohol was brought in in Scotland by the Scottish government in May 2018 – a minimum … read more