Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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A preprint, an unpublished non-peer-reviewed paper posted online, reports to show evidence SARS-COV-2 was developed in a laboratory, rather than … read more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
expert reaction to news reports that the contact tracing app will be launched in England and Wales on 24th September
There are reports that the COVID-19 contact tracing app will be launched in England and Wales on 24th September. … read more
largest global vaccine confidence survey reveals hesitancy hotspots
The largest global study to date has mapped trends in vaccine confidence across 149 countries between 2015-2019, published in the … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at antibody responses and duration in COVID-19 patients
A study, published in PLOS Pathogens, looked at antibody responses and duration in COVID-19 patients. Professor Danny Altmann, Professor … read more
expert reaction to latest NHS Test and Trace figures
NHS Test and Trace have released the latest figures for UK contact tracing, for the week of 27 August to … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at predicting the risk of death in hospitalised COVID-19 patients
A study, published in The BMJ, looked at predicting the risk of death in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Prof Duncan Young, … read more