Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to media coverage reporting that various restrictions will be lifted at the next stage of England’s roadmap out of lockdown
There have been several media reports suggesting what the Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce about lifting restrictions … read more
expert reaction to study looking at risk factors for long covid in previously hospitalised children
A study published in the European Respiratory Journal looks at risk factors for long covid in previously hospitalised children in … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS infection survey
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more
speak up: what to do when you can’t plug the leak
This is a guest post by Olivia Henry, Media Officer at the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC). It was originally … read more
expert reaction to PHE’s weekly COVID-19 variant cases data: 2 July
Public Health England (PHE) has released the latest surveillance data on SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern or under investigation. Professor … read more
expert reaction to review and analysis of observational studies on aspirin and cancer survival
A review and analysis paper published in eCancermedicalscience looks at 118 observational studies of aspirin and 18 cancers. Dr … read more
expert reaction to the North American heatwave
Record-breaking high temperatures continue in western Canada and parts of the US Pacific northwest. Dr Alexandre Koberle, Research Fellow at … read more
expert reaction to COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report: Week 26, including analysis of vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease in adults under the age of 40
Public Health England (PHE) has published its latest weekly COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report, including analysis of vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Schools Infection Survey, Round 5, England: May 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and Public Health England (PHE) have released the fifth … read more
expert reaction to new ONS data on prevalence of ongoing symptoms following COVID-19 infection in the UK: 1 July 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest estimates of the prevalence people with self-reported “long COVID” using data … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at diets rich in omega 3 fatty acids and headache in adults with migraine
A U.S. study published in the BMJ looks at diets rich in omega 3 fatty acids and frequency of headaches … read more
expert reaction to opinion and data analysis on whether expanding the UK covid-19 case definition would improve the UK’s pandemic response
In a data analysis and opinion piece published in the BMJ, experts suggest the UK should expand its official list … read more
expert reaction to two conference abstracts looking at pet cats and dogs and whether they catch COVID-19 from their owners
Two studies presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) (not peer-reviewed papers) look at pet … read more
expert reaction to JCVI Interim Statement regarding a potential COVID-19 booster vaccine programme for winter 2021 to 2022
The interim advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is that any potential COVID-19 booster programme should … read more
expert reaction to media coverage reporting that the Covid control system in England’s schools, including where groups of pupils have to self-isolate if one tests positive, may be stopped when schools return in September
There have been several media reports suggesting that ministers may announce an end to the self-isolation policy for pupils when … read more
expert reaction to clinical trial of e-cigarettes to quit smoking
A clinical trial published in Addiction looks at e-cigarettes versus nicotine replacement treatment as harm reduction interventions for smokers who … read more
expert reaction to review paper looking at factors associated with death in patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care
A review paper published in Anaesthesia looks at factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 in patients admitted to intensive care … read more
expert reaction to two papers looking at myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
Two papers published in JAMA Cardiology look at myocarditis following vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech. Prof … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 18 June 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 looking at neutralising antibody levels induced by the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against different SARS-CoV-2 variants
A research letter published in The Lancet looks at Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine-induced neutralising antibody activity against different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Prof … read more