Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study looking at pharmacological blood pressure lowering for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease across different levels of blood pressure
A study published in the Lancet suggests that blood-pressure lowering medication is effective in reducing relative risk of cardiovascular events … read more
expert reaction to the weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England): 15 April to 21 April 2021, specifically around PCR-adjudication of secondary school pupils’ positive lateral flow test results
The government have released the latest statistics from the COVID-19 Test and Trace system. Prof Sheila Bird, Formerly Programme … read more
expert reaction to study looking at a potential link between body weight and risk of severe COVID-19, especially for younger adults
A study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology looks at body-mass index and COVID-19 severity. Comment on the … read more
expert reaction to whether masks need to be worn outdoors
An expert debate on whether masks should be worn outdoors has been published in the BMJ. Dr Simon Clarke, … read more
expert reaction to BMJ opinion piece on mass testing
An opinion piece on mass screening for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection from Mike Gill and Angela Raffle has been published in … read more
expert reaction to study looking at childhood air pollution exposure and mental health at age 18
A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at air pollution exposure in childhood and adolescence and mental health at … read more
expert reaction to study looking at global glacier mass loss in the 21st century
A study published in Nature looks at a diverse archive of satellite and aerial imagery to study mass changes of … read more
expert reaction to the latest fortnightly release on the Coronavirus Infection Survey looking at antibody and vaccination data for the UK, 28 April 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 preprint looking at COVID-19 vaccination and household transmission
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, by Public Health England (PHE) suggests one dose of either the Oxford-AstraZeneca or … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 16 April 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 antibody response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease who take the medicine infliximab
A study published in Gut looks at antibody response to vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Inflammatory Bowel … read more
expert reaction to media reports suggesting Israel’s Health Ministry is examining a small number of cases of myocarditis in people who had received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
There have been reports that Israel’s Health Ministry said on Sunday it is examining a small number of cases of … read more
expert reaction to COVID-19 situation in India
A few journalists have asked about the ongoing COVID-19 situation in India, so here some comments from scientists in case … read more
expert reaction to latest R number and growth rates estimates, published by the government
The government have published the latest estimates for the COVID-19 R number and growth rates. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus … 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 James Naismith, Director of … read more
expert reaction to study describing two cases of human-to-cat SARS-CoV-2 transmission
A study published in Vet Record looks at two cases of human-to-cat SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the UK. Prof James … read more
Infection Survey data on infections and antibodies after one dose of either AZ or Pfizer vaccine, and after two doses of Pfizer
Data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey (run by the University of Oxford and the ONS) has looked at the impact … read more
expert reaction to the ONS monthly mortality analysis for England and Wales: March 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released their monthly mortality analysis for England and Wales in March 2021. Prof Kevin … read more
expert reaction to latest weekly summary of Yellow Card reporting on COVID-19 vaccines published by the MHRA, including updated numbers of CVST and other thrombosis events with low platelets
The latest weekly summary of Yellow Card reporting has been published by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and … read more
expert reaction to high number of cases and reported new variant in India
Amid a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, there have been reports that a new “triple mutant” variant of SARS-CoV-2 has … read more