3 January 2012
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
XMRV paper retracted by Science journal
The journal Science has retracted the 2009 paper that claimed to find a link between XMRV and M.E./CFS. In a statement, the journal said it had “lost confidence in the report and the validity” of a link between the mouse virus and the illness.
Channel 4, online
22/12/11
As above
Reuters, online
22/12/11
As above
Manchester Wired, online
25/12/11
As above
Net Doctor, online
23/12/11
As above
Daily Mail, p 37
23/12/11
PNAS journal follows Science’s lead
The journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science has retracted a paper supporting the proposed link between XMRV and CFS. In a retraction letter published 27 December, the study’s authors listed four reasons for retracting the work, including insufficient patient samples to send to other labs for confirmation of their results, and their own inability to establish the presence of the retroviruses using other methods, such as culturing them or demonstrating the presence of anti-MLV antibodies in patients.
Nature, online
28/12/11
NHS cuts affect services including M.E./CFS
A survey of its members carried out by doctors.net.uk reveals that four out of five GPs and hospital doctors have seen cuts to staff or services in their own part of the NHS in the last year. In Surrey and Hampshire, a Frimley-based consultant and a nurse specialising in M.E./CFS in children are not being replaced.
The Guardian, p 14-15 and online
28/12/11
Scientist let off with two-year caution two-year caution
A clinical scientist who made claimed that Dr Sarah Myhill was a “deluded pill-peddling quack” on an online forum has been let off with a two-year caution following a disciplinary hearing. Stuart Jones wrote on the Bad Science website that Dr Myhill, who specialises in treating M.E./CFS, “lulled patients into a world of make-believe pseudo-science.”
The Daily Telegraph, p 6
24/12/11
Diagnosed with CFS after ruptured implants
Debbie Davies, 46, has a number of health problems which she believes were caused by her ruptured silicone breast implants. Ms Davies has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a muscular pain disease and CFS.
Liverpool Echo, p 5
02/01/12
Dr Myhill to lead M.E. conference
Dr Sarah Myhill, who specialises in treating people with M.E./CFS, will head a BioCare conference on M.E., Tuesday 6 March, Cavendish Conference Centre, London.
CAM Magazine, p 17
01/01/02
1 in 100 pupils misses school due to M.E.
A study published in the online journal BMJ Open has found that one in 100 secondary school pupils could be missing classes because of CFS/M.E. Dr Esther Crawley, University of Bristol, said, “This project suggests that undiagnosed CFS/M.E. may be an important and under-appreciated cause of school absence in children aged 11-16 years.”
Hucknall Dispatch, online
31/12/11
This article appears online in the Arbroath Herald, Batley News, Berwick Advertiser, Eastbourne Herald, Fleetwood Today, Galloway Gazette, Guide and Gazette, Harrogate Advertiser, Isle of Man Today, Kirkintilloch Herald, Market Rasen Mail, Midhurst and Petworth Observer, Midlothian Advertiser, Motherwell Times, Pocklington Post and West Lothian Herald & Post.
Housing benefit cuts
A study by the Chartered Institute of Housing says the planned cuts to housing benefits will put a further 800,000 homes out of reach of low-income families, and that there is unlikely to be enough affordable homes to rent for those claiming local housing allowance.
Guardian, online
01/01/12
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