Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction 2,988 new UK cases of COVID-19 announced on 6th September
On Sunday 6th September the government announced 2,988 new COVID-19 cases in the UK. Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in … read more
expert reaction to a document with principles for managing SARS-CoV-2 transmission associated with higher education
The government have released a document with principles for managing SARS-CoV-2 transmission associated with higher education. Prof Peter Openshaw, … read more
expert reaction to scoping review paper looking at screen time, green time and psychological wellbeing in children and adolescents
Research, published in PLOS ONE, looked at relationships between screen time, green time and psychological wellbeing in children and adolescents. … read more
expert reaction to preprint systematic review of studies looking at viral cultures for COVID-19 infectivity assessment
A preprint, an unpublished non peer-reviewed study posted on medRxiv, has reviewed studies looking at viral cultures for COVID-19 infectivity … read more
expert reaction to a report looking at national surveillance of preschools and primary schools for SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in England
The government have published a report on the national surveillance of preschools and primary schools for SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS Infection Survey and the latest R number and growth rate
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection survey, and the government have … read more
expert reaction to study looking at T cell responses in people who have had COVID-19
A study, published in Nature Immunology, looked at T cell responses in people who have had COVID-19. Dr Alison Whitelegg, … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at two open, non-randomised phase 1/2 clinical trials of the Russian rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based COVID-19 vaccine
A study, published in the Lancet, looked at two open, non-randomised phase 1/2 clinical trials of the Russian rAd26 and rAd5 … read more
expert reaction to NICE launching a second public consultation on its draft guidance which does not recommend an Esketamine nasal spray medicine for treatment-resistant depression
The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have announced a second public consultation on its draft guidance which … read more
expert reaction to report from the International Commission on the Clinical Use of Human Germline Genome Editing
A report, published by the UK Royal Society, and the US National Academy of Science and National Academy of Medicine, … read more
report launch from the International Commission on the Clinical Use of Human Germline Genome Editing
Journalists heard from the co-chairs and commissioners of the International Commission on the Clinical Use of Human Germline Genome Editing … read more
looking after COVID-19 patients in hospital – how are things going and what has been learned?
The number of COVID-19 patients in hospital with severe disease is currently thankfully much lower than it was during the … read more
expert reaction to latest NHS Test and Trace figures for England for the week of 20th to 26th August
NHS Test and Trace have released the latest figures for contact tracing in England for the week of 20th to … read more
expert reaction to announcement of £500 million to fund trials of rapid COVID-19 tests
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have announced £500 million to fund trials of rapid COVID-19 tests. … read more
expert reaction to the Trump administration’s comments that it won’t engage with international efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine
The Trump administration have stated that they won’t engage with international efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. Prof Philip … read more
expert reaction to editorial commenting on whether antibody tests underestimate SARS-CoV-2 prevalence
An editorial, published in the The BMJ, commented on whether antibody tests underestimate SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. Dr Rupert Beale, Group Leader, … read more
expert reaction to reports that Russian opposition leader Alexi Navalny was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok
There have been reports from Germany that the Russian opposition leader Alexi Navalny, who is currently hospitalised in Germany, was … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at permanent hair dye and risk of cancers
A study, published in The BMJ, looked at permanent hair dye and potential risk of cancers. Dr Michael Jones, Senior … read more
expert reaction to study from Italy looking at viral clearance and whether retesting weeks after symptom onset is a good idea
A study, published in BMJ Open, looked at viral clearance and whether retesting weeks after symptom onset is a good idea. … read more
expert reaction to two conference abstracts on chemicals present in e-cigarettes and how they combine
Conference abstracts, presented at the meeting of the European Respiratory Society, discuss chemicals present in e-cigarettes and how they combine. … read more