Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to preprint from trial looking at daily testing instead of isolation for contacts of COVID-19 cases in schools and colleges
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at data from a trial of the impact of a policy of … read more
expert reaction to latest daily case numbers
A comment from Professor Paul Hunter and Dr Simon Clarke on the latest figures on the DHSC COVID-19 Dashboard. … read more
expert reaction to research letter looking at spike-antibody level waning after second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines
A research letter published in The Lancet looks at spike-antibody waning after the second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or … read more
expert reaction to the ‘pingdemic’
There have been several media reports discussing the impacts of the high number of isolation alerts being received from the … read more
expert reaction to the launch of the UK government’s new Innovation Strategy and the R&D People and Culture Strategy
The Governments’ New Innovation Strategy and R&D People and Culture Strategy have been published today. Prof Alice Gast FREng, … read more
Brain structure changes in elite rugby players – The Drake Rugby Biomarker Study
The Drake Rugby Biomarker Study is a project that takes bodily fluid samples and neuroimaging data from professional rugby players … read more
expert reaction to imaging study looking at brains of elite adult rugby players
A study published in Brain Communications looks at white matter abnormalities in active elite adult rugby players. This Roundup accompanied … read more
expert reaction to study looking at cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia in Denmark
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry looks at cannabis use disorder in schizophrenia in Denmark. Prof Terrie Moffitt, Chair … read more
expert reaction to study looking at hearing difficulties and risk of dementia
A study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association looks at speech-in-noise hearing impairment and risk … read more
expert reaction to the latest fortnightly release on the COVID-19 Infection Survey looking at antibody and vaccination data for the UK, 21 July 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest report from the COVID-19 infection survey, looking at antibody and vaccination data … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 9 July 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the … read more
expert reaction to a single case report of a patient getting Bell’s palsy after each dose of their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
A case report published by BMJ Case Reports looks at a patient who experienced facial palsy after each dose of … read more
expert reaction to a narrative review looking at the health impacts of lockdowns
A narrative review published in BMJ Global Health looks at the health impacts of lockdowns. Sarah Shenow, Head of … read more
expert reaction to statement from Boris Johnson that from September, full vaccination is planned to be a condition of entry for nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather
At the Downing Street press conference today, Boris Johnson announced that 2 COVID-19 vaccine doses is planned to be a … read more
expert reaction to JCVI interim advice on whether children and young people aged 12-17 years should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine
A statement from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people aged … read more
expert reaction to UK hot weather and an Extreme Heat Warning issued by the Met Office
An amber warning for extreme heat has been issued by the Met Office due to high temperatures through the day … read more
Q&A on JCVI recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines in children
We put on a Q&A so science and health journalists could ask their questions to JCVI members about the forthcoming … read more
expert reaction to flooding in northern Europe
Hundreds have died in Western Europe after heavy flooding. Comment sent out 19/07/2021: Prof Ilan Kelman, Professor of Disasters … read more
19.6 million announced for new research into diagnosis and treatment of long COVID
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is awarding almost £20 million to 15 research studies across Britain to improve … read more
expert reaction to 51,870 cases reported today on the government dashboard
A comment from Professor James Naismith and Dr Jonathan Stoye on the latest figures on the DHSC COVID-19 Dashboard. … read more