Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
expert reaction to a study using personalised brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression in a single individual
A study published in Nature Medicine looks at the use of brain electrical stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. Prof Jonathan … read more
MSD’s Chief Science Officer answers questions on molnupiravir
Today, MSD announced the interim results of their MOVe-OUT trial, looking at the efficacy of the oral antiviral molnupiravir in … 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 Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more
expert reaction to interim analysis of oral antiviral molnupiravir
A press release from Merck and Ridgeback states that their oral antiviral molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death … read more
Results from the ComFluCOV study looking at giving a COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time
The Combining Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination (ComFluCOV) study was designed to establish the safety of co-administering the most widely used … read more
expert reaction to preprint from the ComFluCOV study on the safety and immunogenicity of giving a COVID-19 and flu vaccine at the same time
A preprint, unpublished non-peer reviewed data, from the ComFluCOV study, looks at the safety and immunogenicity of concomitant administration of … read more
expert reaction to the latest national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report from PHE: 30 September 2021
Public Health England (PHE) has published its latest weekly national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report. Dr Simon Clarke, Associate Professor … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the risks and benefits of offering two doses of COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 12-17
A study accepted for publication by Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine carries out a risk-benefit analysis for vaccinating … read more
expert reaction to study looking at menopausal hormone therapy and risk of developing dementia
A study published in the BMJ looks at use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and risk of dementia. Dr … read more
New study – Long term antidepressant use, discontinuation and relapse
A new study has looked at the impact of coming off antidepressants in those who have been taking them long … read more
expert reaction to study on long term use of antidepressants, discontinuation and relapse
A study published in New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looks at maintenance or discontinuation of antidepressants in primary care. … read more