Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to two NEJM Correspondence articles on in vitro studies of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and different variants/mutations including mutations on the South Africa variant
Two letters have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) on the neutralising ability of Pfizer-BioNTech and … read more
latest interim results from the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 prevalence across England
This briefing covered the latest interim data from the largest community coronavirus testing programme, REACT. This batch of data is … read more
expert reaction to preprint giving the interim results from round 9 of the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 prevalence in England
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, reports on the latest data from the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 spread across … read more
expert reaction to study looking at UK death rate and hospital admissions due to food-induced anaphylaxis
A study published in the BMJ looks at UK death rate and hospital admissions for food-induced anaphylaxis over a 20-year … read more
expert reaction to ethical approval for a virus characterisation study for COVID-19 to begin, as part of the Human Challenge Programme
It has been announced that the UK will be the first country in the world to run a COVID-19 human challenge … read more
ethical approval and the start of virus characterisation study for Human Challenge Trials
The first question that needs to be addressed when carrying out human challenge trials is to work out the minimum … read more
expert reaction to preprint modelling the impact of reopening schools in England on SARS-CoV-2 transmission
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, uses weekly contact survey data to estimate the impact of reopening schools on … read more
expert reaction to latest antibody data from the ONS Infection Survey
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey on antibodies. Prof Sheila … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 5 February 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 qualitative study on pubs and whether SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks can be minimised
An interview and observation study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs looks at managing COVID-19 transmission … read more
expert reaction to preprint on schools and absences due to COVID-19 between September and December 2020
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at school absences in England during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Roundup accompanied … read more
new preprint on schools and COVID-19 spread
Scientists at the University of Warwick have done some research looking at data on school absences due to COVID-19 infection … read more
expert reaction to preprint on calcifediol (vitamin D metabolite) treatment and COVID-19-related outcomes, data from Barcelona
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at calcifediol treatment and COVID-19-related outcomes in Barcelona. Prof Naveed Sattar, … read more
expert reaction to trial on dietary flavanols and cognition
A trial published in Scientific Reports looks at increased flavanol intake and performance on memory tests reflective of long-term, episodic … read more
expert reaction to latest COVID-19 nowcast and forecast, from the MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge
The MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge have released their latest nowcast and forecast of COVID-19. Prof … read more
expert reaction to antibody seropositivity data in this week’s weekly PHE COVID-19 surveillance report from yesterday
The week 6 national Influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report from Public Health England (PHE) was published yesterday and provides data … read more
expert reaction to latest R number and growth rates, published by the government
The government have released the latest estimates for the COVID-19 R value 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 Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at prophylactic anticoagulants as a treatment for hospitalised patients with COVID-19
A study published in The BMJ looks at the use of preventative blood thinning drugs to reduce the risk of … read more
expert reaction to the RECOVERY trial reporting that tocilizumab reduces deaths in patients hospitalised with COVID-19
The results of the tocilizumab arm of the RECOVERY trial have been announced. This Roundup accompanied an SMC Briefing. … read more