Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to unpublished conference abstract on pet cats and dogs, their owners, and SARS-CoV-2
A conference abstracted, presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Conference on Coronavirus Disease (ECCVID), discusses … read more
expert reaction to unpublished conference abstract on fatigue following SARS-CoV-2 infection
A conference abstract, presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Conference on Coronavirus Disease (ECCVID), discusses fatigue … read more
expert reaction to latest Test & Trace figures, week 3 – 9 September
NHS Test and Trace have released the latest data for COVID-19 in the UK. Prof Sheila Bird, Formerly Programme … read more
expert reaction to doctors at BMA Annual Representative Meeting calling for ‘near-elimination’ COVID-19 policy
The British Medical Association (BMA) have called for policy that will lead to the ‘near elimination’ of COVID-19, this came at their … read more
three Cochrane Rapid Reviews of the evidence on different measures to slow spread of COVID-19: Quarantine, Travel-related control and Universal screening
This week, Cochrane published an updated special collection of systematic and rapid reviews focused on a range of public health … read more
expert reaction to announcement of proof of concept interim findings from Lilly’s BLAZE-1 antibody trial
The pharmaceutical company Lilly has announced a proof of concept from their BLAZE-1 COVID-19 antibody trial. Prof Daniel Altmann, … read more
expert reaction to preprint entitled ‘Unusual features of the SARS-CoV-2 genome suggesting sophisticated laboratory modification rather than natural evolution and delineation of its probable synthetic route’
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer-reviewed paper posted online, reports to show evidence SARS-COV-2 was developed in a laboratory, rather than … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS stats on deaths in England and Wales up to week ending 4 September 2020
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data for deaths in England and Wales, including deaths from … read more
expert comment about COVID-19 testing issues
Journalists have asked for comment on the current COVID-19 testing issues being discussed in the media. Prof Gordon Dougan, … read more
expert reaction to Global Biodiversity Outlook 5
A report, published by the United Nations, has looked at global biodiversity. Prof John Spicer, Professor of Marine Zoology … read more
expert reaction to study looking at measures of hostility and recurrence of disease and death in people with acute coronary syndrome
A study, published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, looked at measures of hostility and recurrence of disease and … read more
gene-edited livestock ‘surrogate sires’ successfully made fertile
Improving livestock to boost food production for a growing global population is a long-standing aim. For the first time, scientists … read more
expert reaction to study looking at CRISPR and surrogate sires in livestock and mice
A study, published in PNAS, reports on a new method of utilising CRISPR techniques to produce surrogate sires in livestock and … read more
expert reaction to discovery of phosphine on Venus
A study, published in Nature Astronomy, reports the discovery of the gas phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus. Prof David … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at new algorithm to improve the safety of driverless cars
A study, published in Nature Machine Intelligence, looked at a new algorithm to improve the safety of driverless cars. … read more
expert reaction to news that the RECOVERY trial will evaluate Regeneron’s REGN-COV2 investigational antibody cocktail in the UK
It has been announced that the UK RECOVERY trial will be starting investigations into a new possible treatment for COVID-19, … read more
expert reaction to Oxford vaccine trial restarting in UK
It has been announced by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, that their COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial will resume after … read more
expert reaction to ONS Infection survey data
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their Infection Survey, detailing COVID-19 in the UK. … read more
latest results from the REACT-1 study on coronavirus spread across the country
This briefing covered the latest report from the largest community coronavirus testing programme, REACT. The report includes swab tests carried … read more
expert reaction to preprint on latest results of REACT-1 study looking at levels of coronavirus infection in the general population in England and Government estimates for R value and growth rates
A preprint, non-peer reviewed results from the REACT-1 study, has reported on the possible latest COVID-19 R value and infection … read more