Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
expert reaction to case report from the U.S. of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia after the Moderna mRNA vaccine
A case report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine looks at a single case of thrombocytopenia with thrombosis syndrome … read more
expert reaction to latest daily case figures as reported on the gov.uk dashboard
A comment from Professor James Naismith on the latest figures on the DHSC COVID-19 Dashboard. Prof James Naismith, Director … read more