Author Archives: Science Media Centre

expert reaction to CRISPR-based gene editing tools used to correct Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy mutations in mice

A study published in Science Advances demonstrates the effectiveness of two CRISPR-based gene editing technologies for correcting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy … read more

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study looking at immune response to variants after one dose of Pfizer

A new paper, published in Science at 3pm this afternoon, looks at the immune responses in UK healthcare workers following … read more

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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

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ISARIC4C/CO-CIN SAGE paper on hospitalised vaccinated patients during the second UK COVID-19 wave

A short report investigating hospitalised vaccinated patients during the second wave of the UK COVID-19 outbreak using the ISARIC4C / … read more

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expert reaction to document produced for SAGE (not a peer-reviewed paper) looking at hospitalised vaccinated patients during the second COVID-19 wave in the UK

One of the documents informing the advice from SAGE looks at hospitalised vaccinated patients during the second wave in the … read more

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expert reaction to press release from Synairgen announcing data from their phase II trial of inhaled interferon beta in COVID-19 patients

Synairgen have published a press release today announcing the data from their phase II trial of inhaled interferon beta (IFN-beta) … read more

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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