Author Archives: Science Media Centre

Lancet publication of the Oxford AstraZeneca phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial

We recently heard the interim high-level results from phase 3 clinical trials of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the … read more

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expert reaction to a study on the results of phase 3 human trials of the Oxford/AZ COVID-19 vaccine

The results of the phase 3 clinical trials of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine candidate have been published in The … read more

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expert reaction to ONS data on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 27 November

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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launch of progress report of Vaccine Taskforce

This morning the government published a new report on the workings of the Vaccine Taskforce (VTF). Six months after it … read more

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expert reaction to a pre-print looking at population-wide, rapid antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Slovakia

A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, posted on medRxiv looks at the effectiveness of population-wide rapid antigen test based screening in … read more

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does mass testing work? New evidence from mass testing in Slovakia

In October 2020, Slovakia tested its whole population for SARS-CoV-2 infections, conducting more than five million rapid antigen tests. A … read more

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expert reaction to a government policy paper on community testing

Earlier this week the government posted a policy paper on the community testing programme.   Dr Alexander Edwards, Associate Professor … read more

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expert reaction to latest ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey data

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey.   Dr Simon Clarke, Associate Professor … read more

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expert reaction to explosion at waste water treatment works in Avonmouth

An explosion occurred yesterday at a waste water treatment works in Avonmouth, killing 4 people and injuring another.   Mr … read more

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expert reaction to UK’s 2030 emissions targets

The UK’s new emissions target has been announced, with an aim to get to net zero by 2050.   Prof … read more

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expert reaction to study looking at low dose steroids and risk of cardiovascular disease

A population-based cohort study published in PLOS Medicine looks at risk of developing cardiovascular disease in patients receiving low doses … read more

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expert reaction to latest Test & Trace Figures for England for the week 19 – 25 November

The government have released the latest statistics from the COVID-19 Test and Trace system.   Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more

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expert reaction to comments made by Dr Anthony Fauci on the approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by the MHRA

Dr Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, commented on the UK’s speed in … read more

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expert reaction to ‘Countdown on health and climate change’, as published in The Lancet

The Lancet Countdown’s fifth annual report tracks 40+ indicators on links between health and climate change.    Dr Philip Staddon, … read more

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expert reaction to study looking at red meat, plant foods and heart disease

A study published in the BMJ looks at red meat intake and risk of coronary heart disease among US men. … read more

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Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

In light of today’s announcement regarding the MHRA’s decision to grant a temporary authorisation to supply in response to public … read more

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expert reaction to the provisional report on the State of the Global Climate in 2020, as published by the World Meteorological Organization

 The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has today released its provisional report on the State of the Global Climate 2020, stating … read more

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COVID-19: what role for scientists in a nation full of armchair epidemiologists?

By Fiona Fox This blog contains the thoughts of the author rather than representing the work or policy of the … read more

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expert reaction to news that the MHRA has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for mass UK roll out

It has been announced this morning that the UK government has accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare … read more

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expert reaction to a study looking at sun exposure and risk of endometriosis

A study published in Reproductive epidemiology looks at sun exposure and risk of endometriosis.    Dr Caroline Overton, a consultant … read more

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