Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study on ChatGPT almost passing the US Medical Licensing Exam
A study published in PLOS Digital Health looks at the performance of ChatGPT on US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). … read more
expert reaction to study looking at long-term caloric restriction on DNA methylation measures of biological aging in healthy adults
A study published in Nature Aging looks at calorie restriction and a DNA measure of biological aging in healthy adults. … read more
expert reaction to study on dust fired from the Moon to shield the sun’s rays
A study published in PLOS Climate looks at the use of dust as a solar shield. Prof Joanna Haigh … read more
expert reaction to two studies on the gut microbiome and ME/CFS
Two studies published in Cell Host & Microbe look at the gut microbiome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). … read more
expert reaction to review of formula baby milk
A review looking at formula baby milk has been published in The 2023 Lancet Series on Breastfeeding. Dr Robert … read more
expert reaction to UNEP report on environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has published a report on environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Dr Chris Connolly, … read more
expert reaction to the Cabinet reshuffle
The Prime Minster has created four new departments; the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Science, … read more
expert reaction to study looking at vitamin D supplementation and reduction in diabetes risk
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine looks at vitamin D and risk for type 2 diabetes in people … read more
expert reaction to the earthquake near the Turkey/Syria border
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the Turkey-Syria border in the early hours of Monday 6 February 2023. Ziggy … read more
expert reaction to avian flu found in foxes and otters in the UK
There have been reports that the avian influenza outbreak in the UK has spilled over into mammals. Prof Mark … read more
expert reaction to study on association between long-term air pollution exposure and risk of depression and anxiety
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry looks at long-term exposure to multiple ambient air pollutants, and depression and anxiety. … read more
expert reaction to the case for ‘fully effective folic acid fortification’ for the prevention of neural tube defects
This Roundup accompanied an SMC Briefing, in which a panel of experts made the case for a higher level of … read more
making the case for higher folic acid fortification
In June 2019, the UK Government issued a public consultation on the proposal to introduce mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour … read more
expert reaction to study modelling the impact of urban trees on heatwave deaths
A study published in The Lancet looks at cooling European cities through urban green infrastructure. Dr Radhika Khosla, Co-Director … read more
expert reaction to study looking at ultra-processed foods and risk of different cancers
A study published in eClinicalMedicine looks at consumption of ultra-processed food, risk of cancer and cancer mortality. Prof Tom … read more
expert reaction to study looking at beta-blockers and lower rates of violence
A study published PLOS Medicine suggests that Β-blocker use associated with lower rates of violence. The following comments were … read more
expert reaction to study looking at children in the US aged 0 to 19 years whose underlying cause of death was COVID-19
A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at children and young people in the US from 0 to 19 … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the UK sugary drinks tax and obesity in children
A study published in PLOS Medicine looks at trajectories of obesity prevalence in English primary school children and the UK … read more
expert reaction to number of children treated for Kawasaki disease and plea from NHS Blood and Transplant for plasma donors
A press release from NHS Blood and Transplant states that the number of children treated for Kawasaki disease has increased, … read more
expert reaction to study on association between sleep quality in adolescence and risk of multiple sclerosis
A study published in Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry looks at sleep during adolescence and risk of multiple sclerosis. … read more