Behind the Headlines

Hope and hype: stem cells in the media

Friday Nov 18 2011

Stem cells are often portrayed in the media as a miracle cure for many serious conditions and disabilities. Hugely positive headlines have led significant and understandable public interest in this fascinating cutting-edge science...

Project on cancer genetics launched

Monday Nov 21 2011

A new initiative to develop ‘personalised cancer treatment’ has today been launched. The experimental project has been designed to develop a screening program to test tumours for key genetic changes...

Child paracetamol doses revised

Monday Nov 21 2011

The UK’s drug regulator has issued new dosage guidelines for children’s liquid medicines such as Calpol and Disprol. The new, age-specific guidance stipulates exact doses of liquid paracetamol medicines that should be given to children...

Eggs wake you up? The facts are scrambled

Friday Nov 18 2011

The proteins in eggs “help us stay awake and feel alert”, the Daily Mail has today reported, adding that the “Go to work on an egg” advertising slogan of the 1960s was good advice. The newspaper says...

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Dukan diet branded 'worst celebrity diet'

Thursday Nov 17 2011

The popular Dukan diet has been slammed as “ineffective and without scientific basis”, The Daily Telegraph has today reported. The newspaper says that the British Dietetic Association has criticised a range of celebrity diets, including the Dukan...

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Study looks at self-harm in young people

Thursday Nov 17 2011

“One in 12 people self-harm in their teenage years,” the BBC has reported. For most people the problem will resolve before adulthood, but for 10% it will continue...

Do computer games mess with kids' minds?

Wednesday Nov 16 2011

“Teenage video game players have brains “'like gambling addicts'” reported the Daily Mail. Covering the same research, The Daily Telegraph warned that “children’s brains could be hardwired to spend hours playing video games”. These headlines are...

Doctors call for ban on smoking in cars

Wednesday Nov 16 2011

“Doctors want to ban smoking in cars… even if you’re on your own,” the Daily Mail has reported. The Mail and most other newspapers and news broadcasters covered the call from the British Medical Association (BMA) for a government ban...

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Childhood IQ 'linked to adult drug use'

Tuesday Nov 15 2011

Clever children are “likelier to take drugs” reported The Independent today. Several newspapers have reported that children who performed better at IQ tests when aged five and 10 are more likely to take...

Stem cells may aid heart repair

Tuesday Nov 15 2011

The Daily Telegraph reported that it may be possible for patients to use their own stem cells to repair the damage caused by heart attacks. The newspaper said that heart repair with stem cells could be the “biggest breakthrough in...

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