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Round-ups Archive
expert reaction to the conviction of animal rights activists for intimidation campaign against companies supplying Huntingdon Life Sciences
Seven animal rights activists have been convicted of mounting a sustained campaign of intimidation and blackmail against companies involved with Huntingdon Life Sciences. read more
experts comment on MORI poll on the teaching of creationism in schools
The poll of primary and secondary school teachers found that nearly half disagree with the teaching of creationism alongside evolution in science lessons in England and Wales, rising to two out of three among teachers who specialise in science. read more
experts comment on new research into iPS cells and spinal muscular atrophy, as published in Nature
The study, from researchers in the United States, is the first to show that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which are capable of becoming any other type of cell, can be used to model the pathology of the genetic muscle-wasting disease spinal muscular atrophy. The cells were derived from skin cells taken from a child with the disease, and are therefore genetically identical. read more
experts react to pregnancy involving PGD for breast cancer
A woman from London will shortly become the first in the UK to give birth to a baby that has been screened to be free of a gene that significantly raises the risk of breast cancer, using the technique of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in which embryos are selected for implantation based on identified genetic characteristics. read more
experts respond to the news that high levels of dioxins have been found in slaughtered pigs in the Republic of Ireland
Irish pork products were withdrawn from sale across Europe as a precautionary measure after high levels of the chemicals were discovered in meat from the country. However, the risk assessment suggested no immediate risk to humans. The incident was believed to have been caused by contamination of animal feed. read more
expert comment on research suggesting link between intelligence and semen quality, as published in the journal Intelligence
Researchers found evidence for a positive correlation between cognitive ability and three key indicators of sperm quality. read more
experts comment on report published by the Committee on Climate Change
The Government's Committee on Climate Change was assembled to independently assess how the UK can tackle climate change and meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. read more
reaction to study suggesting link between hairspray and genital birth defect, as published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives
The study found a link between chemicals found in hairspray and genital birth defects in boys, through a retrospective study of women based on a number of factors including occupation. read more
expert comments on the first transplant of a tissue-engineered airway, as published in The Lancet
The Lancet has announced the successful transplantation of the world's first tissue-engineered airway, created using the patient's own stem cells to ensure that there was no possibility of immune rejection. read more
experts comment on review on the bacterium A. baumannii, and its profile as a healthcare-associated infection, as published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases
The bacterium has been identified as an emerging cause of infection which is becoming increasingly prevalent in healthcare settings. read more
experts comment on the publication of the Taskforce on Presumed Consent
The UK Organ Donation Taskforce was asked by government to review the evidence for moving to a system of 'presumed consent', whereby all indivuduals would be automatically presumed to have given consent to organ donation unless they specifically opted out. The Taskforce reached the conclusion that the evidence does not support this move at the present time. read more
experts comment on study in the Lancet discussing failed HIV vaccine
The US trial of a potentially promising new vaccine for HIV ended in failure when it was found to offer no protection against the virus. read more
expert comments on effect of acupuncture on fertility as published in the journal Human Reproduction
The study suggests that acupuncture may reduce the rate of pregnancy when given to patients undergoing fertility treatment. read more
expert comments on new research into the mechanisms underlying Tamoxifen resistance, as published in Nature
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have identified a molecular mechanism for the response to tamoxifen in breast cancer cells, which may provide an explanation for why some women develop resistance to the treatment. read more
experts comment on the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report: Novel Materials in the Environment: The case of nanotechnology
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
expert reacts to news of opening of Oxford University's Biomedical Sciences Building, a facility to re-house animals used in research
Dr Simon Festing, Executive Director, Research Defence Society, said: "We believe this research centre will offer world-class facilities for what … read more
experts comment on Greenpeace press release about unpublished Austrian study claiming to link GM maize with infertility in mice
The study was presented as an abstract at a conference in Austria, and did not represent published research. read more
expert comment on research into the use of beta blockers in non-cardiac surgery, as published in The Lancet
The study reviewed the evidence for the use of beta blockers to lower the risk of having a heart attack following surgery, and concluded that the evidence does not support this practice. read more
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