A new study, published in Nanoscale, examines metals in the brain and Alzheimer’s disease.
New research published in Current Biology looks at carbon nanotubes and mesothelioma in mice. read more
A study in PNAS found that two commonplace nanoparticles — zinc oxide and cerium oxide — may have deleterious effects on plant growth and soil fertility. read more
How do we know the food we eat is authentic – does it really contain what it says on the tin? And, most importantly, how do we know it is safe? Preceding a conference being held by The Government Chemist (at LGC), three experts from LGC came to the SMC to brief the media on the key topics in food science such as nanoparticles, food allergies, genetic testing, counterfeit food and consumer safety. read more
The prize was won by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov of the University of Manchester for their discovery of graphene. read more
The SMC hosted members of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee for this briefing on the use of nanotechnology in the food industry, how these technologies are likely to develop and whether, and where, regulation might be necessary. The briefing launches the Committee’s report on the issue. read more
Nanotechnologies are developing at an increasing rate and they have many exciting potential uses in food and health, but, as with almost any new technology, there are concerns over safety. This briefing highlighted recent developments and discussed whether the consumption of nanoparticles poses a risk, with particular focus on the gut and lung. read more
The authors of this study came to the SMC to describe their work investigating if and how particular nanoparticles can damage the DNA of cells without crossing cellular barriers. read more
The study investigates if and how particular nanoparticles can damage the DNA of cells without crossing cellular barriers. read more
Nanotechnology is offering medicine brand new ways of dealing with disease using ideas that would have been only science fiction just a few years ago. The SMC invited journalists to come and hear from some top experts who are using nanotechnology and magnets to potentially both diagnose and treat cancer, and to find out how close these techniques are to reality, how much they might cost, and whether public perception of nanotechnology is likely to be a hurdle. read more
Scientists have for the first time identified a mechanism by which nanoparticles cause lung damage, and shown that such damage can be blocked with a targeted chemical compound. read more
The report from the influential RCEP set out the issues and concerns surrounding potential releases to the environment from the application of nanomaterials and novel nanotechnologies. read more
The influential Royal Commission on Nanotechnology has just published a report entitled Novel Materials in the Environment: The case of nanotechnology. The report was prompted by concerns about potential releases to the environment from the industrial application of novel materials, with a particular emphasis on nanomaterials. This briefing was held to launch the report and to set out some of the issues and concerns that it raises. read more
The authors of the research conducted a pilot study to investigate the effects of introducing carbon nanotubes into the abdominal cavity of mice, and came to the Science Media Centre to announce their findings. read more
The authors of new research published in Nature Nanotechnology came to the SMC to brief the media on their findings. Their pilot study investigated the effects of introducing carbon nanotubes into the abdominal cavity of mice. read more
The Council of Science and Technology launched their report reviewing the Government’s progress on issues related to the emerging science of nanotechnology. read more
In conjunction with the Institute of Nanotechnology ‘Nano and Microtechnologies in the Food and Healthfood Industries conference’ scientists briefed the media on nanotechnologies for the food industry. read more
Defra has today launched a new initiative to work towards addressing any potential risks posed by the products of nanotechnologies. read more
Following a huge scare in Germany a few weeks ago when an apparently new nano cleaning product was withdrawn after over 100 people were rushed to hospital after using it, the SMC invited leading nanotechnology producers and scientists to discuss the impact of that health scare and answer other questions about this new science. read more
Over the next decade, there will be an onslaught of nanotech products that hold great promise for revolutionizing how we manufacture products, communicate with each other, and treat disease. But with this technology comes a number of uncertainties about health, safety and environmental impacts. Dr Andrew Maynard briefed journalists on his recently compiled inventory on government-funded nanotechnology research. read more
