select search filters
briefings
roundups & rapid reactions
Fiona fox's blog

Science Media Centre

expert reaction to Listeriosis-caused death in Ireland

Scientists comment on a death caused by Listeriosis in Ireland.    Dr Ricardo Calderón González, Research Fellow, School of Medicine, … read more

expert reaction to two papers assessing off-the-shelf health tests sold in UK shops

A study published in The BMJ assesses direct-to-consumer self-tests sold in the UK.   Prof Amitava Banerjee, Professor of Clinical Data Science … read more

expert reaction to systematic review and meta-analysis of daily step count and risk of chronic diseases, cognitive decline and death

A systematic review and meta analysis published in The Lancet Public Health looks at daily steps and health outcomes in adults.   … read more

Papers assessing off-the-shelf health tests sold in UK shops

Scientists from the University of Birmingham have reviewed a number of direct-to-consumer health tests that are available for members of … read more

expert reaction to observational study looking at rates of depression and anxiety in teens who smoke and vape

An observational study published in PLOS Mental Health looks at mental health outcomes in teens who smoke or use e-cigarettes.    Prof … read more

expert reaction to observational study of GLP-1 receptor agonists and metformin in people with type 2 diabetes and risk of dementia

An observational study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care looks at GLP-1 drugs vs metformin and the risk of … read more

Playing the long game: lessons from the mito story

Last week was pretty special for the SMC. We had the privilege of running the press conference where the first … read more

expert reaction to study looking at estimates of brain ageing and the Covid pandemic

A study published in Nature Communications looks at brain ageing during the Covid-19 pandemic.    Dr Eugene Duff, Advanced Research Fellow in … read more

expert reaction to study on age of smartphone ownership and mental health outcomes

A study published in Journal of Human Development and Capabilities looks at the age of smartphone ownership and mental health outcomes. … read more

expert reaction to study looking at scarring and heart arrhythmia in veteran male athlete’s hearts

A study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging looks at cardiac scarring and arrhythmia in veteran males.    Prof Steffen Petersen, Professor … read more

Genome engineering for species conservation

Much has been made of the potential of genome engineering to bring back extinct species.  But what about its potential … read more

expert reaction to Perspective article on genome editing for conservation

A Perspective article published in Nature Reviews Diversity looks at genome engineering for biodiversity conservation and restoration.    Dr Alena Pance, … read more

First report on babies born following pioneering licensed IVF technique to reduce the risk of mitochondrial diseases

The first published research findings from the Newcastle team on the children born following pioneering licensed IVF technique to reduce … read more

expert reaction to two papers on the use of mitochondrial donation and preimplantation genetic testing for mitochondrial disease, as published in NEJM

Two papers published in NEJM look at the use of mitochondrial donation an preimplantation genetic testing for mitochondrial disease.   Dr David … read more

expert reaction to government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan

Scientists comment on the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan.    Prof Mark Stevens FRSB, Chair of Microbial Pathogenesis & Deputy … read more

expert reaction to study looking at obesity drugs in people with diabetes and obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and all-cause mortality

A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at the association between people with obesity and diabetes taking weight loss drugs, … read more

expert reaction to scoping review of over-the-counter herbal products and dietary supplements used for depression

A review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology looks at over-the-counter herbal products and dietary supplements used for depression.   Prof Stella Chan, … read more

UK Biobank’s whole body imaging project scans 100,000 volunteers

UK Biobank has reached its target of scanning 100,000 volunteers as part of a landmark project to provide for scientific … read more

expert reaction to NICE final draft guidance and NHS rollout of Alyftrek for children and adults with some forms of cystic fibrosis

Scientists comment on NICE final draft guidance and the NHS rollout of Alyftrek for Cystic Fibrosis.   Prof David Sheppard, … read more

expert reaction to study suggesting vapes are more effective for quitting smoking than gum or lozenges including in disadvantaged groups

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine looks at vapes for smoking cessation in disadvantaged groups.    Prof Leonie Brose, Professor … read more