Author Archives: Science Media Centre
AMS/RS Climate Change & Health report: tackling climate change mitigation and human health together
Major efforts are needed to mitigate climate change. A new report argues that if the drivers and impacts of climate … read more
expert reaction study looking at mixing mineral and chemical sunscreens and efficacy and toxicology under UV irradiation
A study published in Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences suggests mixing chemical sunscreen mixtures with zinc oxide may limit protection against … read more
expert reaction to systematic review and meta-analysis on consumption of dietary fatty acids (alpha linolenic acid) and risk of death
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The BMJ looks at dietary intake and biomarkers of alpha linolenic acid and … read more
expert reaction to Nature survey on experiences of harassment and abuse of scientists who spoke to the media about COVID-19
A news feature from Nature looks at abuse received by scientists who have spoken to the media during the COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to systematic review on rates of postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)
A systematic review published in JAMA Network Open looks at short-term and long-term rates of postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. … read more
expert comments in response to journalists’ questions on reports of lots of colds circulating in the UK at the moment
A few journalists have asked us about the ‘bad colds’ currently circulating in the UK, so here are some comments … read more
expert reaction to media reports about some children having positive lateral flow tests but negative PCR tests
There have been several media reports about an increased number of school children receiving false positive lateral flow tests. … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: 1 October 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 House of Commons Science and Technology Committee and Health and Social Care Committee joint report on Coronavirus: lessons learned to date
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee and Health and Social Care Committee have today published their report examining the initial UK response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Julian Tang, Honorary … read more
expert reaction to press release from AstraZeneca announcing that AZD7442 reduced risk of developing severe COVID-19 or death in the TACKLE Phase III outpatient treatment trial
The press release from AstraZeneca states that their long acting antibody combination, AZD7442, reduced risk of developing severe COVID-19 or … read more
The Natural History Museum’s Biodiversity Trends Explorer – how much nature is left in the UK and other countries?
In the run up to COP15 scientists at the Natural History Museum have developed a new tool, the Biodiversity Trends … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Sheila Bird, Formerly Programme … read more
expert reaction to excess mortality in people with mental health conditions during the pandemic
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe looks at all-cause and cause-specific mortality in people with mental … read more
expert reaction to study of genetic link between risk for Alzheimer’s disease and severe COVID-19 outcomes
A study published in Brain looks at a genetic link between risk for Alzheimer’s disease and severe COVID-19 outcomes via … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS data on prevalence of ongoing symptoms following COVID-19 infection in the UK: 7 October 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest estimates of the prevalence people with self-reported “long COVID” using data from … read more
expert reaction to the International Energy Agency’s methane report
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published a report on curtailing methane emissions from fossil fuel operations. Dr Heather … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, brain structure and cognitive function
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology uses UK Biobank data to look at association between polygenic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, brain … read more
expert reaction to new ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: 24 September 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 study on Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine effectiveness up to 6 months
A study published in the Lancet looks at effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine up to 6 months in a … read more
expert reaction to EMA recommendations on extra doses and boosters
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced new recommendations on extra COVID-19 vaccine doses for people with severely weakened immune … read more