15 March 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
Dr Mikovits stands by XMRV findings
Dr Judy Mikovits, whose team originally found the link between the retrovirus XMRV and M.E. in 2009, has been widely supported by patients but other scientists argue that they are unable to replicate her findings. Dr Mikovits insists that she will not abandon her XMRV hypothesis.
Nature, p 282-285 and online
http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110314/full/471282a.html
14/03/11
XMRV debate continues
Patients with CFS say that not enough research is being done into the link between the illness and XMRV. Researchers say, however, that science must not be rushed if the right answers are to be found. Controversy continues to surround the debate.
The Wall Street Journal, p 16-17 and online
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704008704575639193973468402.html
15/03/11
BMA calls meeting about NHS reform
It’s thought that doctors will seriously criticise Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s NHS reforms at a specially convened British Medical Association conference today.
Daily Mail, p 17 and online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1365993/Doctors-gunning-Health-Secretary-Andrew-Lansley-NHS-reforms.html
15/03/11
Illness definition and the PACE trial
In a letter to the editor, the principal researchers on the PACE trial agree with reporter David Tuller that the way an illness is defined can have an impact on the results of research. However, they dispute that definition issues have limited the impact of the PACE trial results.
The New York Times, online
14/03/11
Children with M.E.
Dr Esther Crawley, University of Bristol, says research shows that M.E. is more common in those less well off, who are also less likely to receive help. Her team’s studies show that 62% of children who use the specialist M.E. service in Bath only attend school for two days a week.
The Spark, p 24 and online
http://www.thespark.co.uk/
01/03/11
Taking days off sick
A new mobile phone app, Skiver, suggests symptoms and ailments for users who want to take days off sick. The user enters the number of days they want to take off and Skiver suggests a illness, including CFS.
Daily Mail, p 31 and online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1366372/Skiver-How-phone-help-skip-work.html
15/03/11
As above
Daily Telegraph, online
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/8380458/Apple-iPhone-app-helps-workers-throw-a-sickie.html
15/03/11
No cure for invisible illness
In a letter to the editor, Syliva Kemp says that she read a letter from Action for M.E.’s Sir Peter Spencer, about the £1.5 million funding announcement for M.E. research, and then heard that the Chief Executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland received a bonus of £2 million. She says that there is no cure for the illness, and one of the worse things about M.E. is that it doesn’t show from the outside.
Congleton Chronicle, p23
10/03/11
Scottish Youth Parliament
Oliver Smith, who has M.E., has put himself forward for election to the Scottish Youth Parliament, despite being ill for the last three years.
North Star, p 4
10/03/11
Cricket star returns
Yorkshire cricketer Joe Sayers is to return to the game after taking eight months out to recover from post-viral fatigue syndrome. Joe believes his illness was triggered by a bug he picked up in South Africa.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, p 29
14/03/11
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The information contained within each press summary is provided for your personal information only. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Action for M.E.
