Author Archives: Science Media Centre
steroids for COVID-19 – results from the RECOVERY trial
Over the last few months, a range of potential treatments have been suggested for COVID-19. The RECOVERY trial is the … read more
new study on age and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity
A new paper published this morning in Nature Medicine modelled susceptibility and disease severity of COVID-19 at different ages, including … read more
expert reaction to news that Imperial is to begin first human trials of their new COVID-19 candidate vaccine
Imperial College London have announced that they are to begin the first human trials of their new COVID-19 candidate vaccine. … read more
expert reaction to FDA revoking Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for emergency use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in treating COVID-19
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have withdrawn their emergency use authorisation for the drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for … read more
expert reaction to modelling preprint looking at health and economic impacts of TTI
A preprint, an unpublished non-peereviewed modelling study posted to GitHub, looked at health and economic impacts of Test Trace and … read more
expert reaction (focusing on mental health) to two reports from the Office for National Statistics: on COVID and anxiety and on COVID and the shielded
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published two reports looking at COVD-19 and anxiety, and the impact of COVID-19 on … read more
expert reaction to unpublished preprint on antibody responses of 177 people who had been diagnosed with COVID-19
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study posted on MedRxiv, looked at the antibody responses of 177 people who had … read more
expert reaction to letter warning of new-onset diabetes in COVID-19 patients
A letter, published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), warns of new-onset diabetes in COVID-19 patients. Dr … read more
expert reaction to study looking at a SARS-CoV-2 virus test, RT-LAMP, which reports to diagnose samples in 30-45 minutes
A study, published in PLOS ONE, looked at a SARS-CoV-2 virus test, RT-LAMP, which reports to diagnose samples in 30-45 minutes. … read more
expert reaction to ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey pilot, England, 12 June 2020
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest results of their COVID-19 infection survey for England. Prof … read more
expert reaction to SAGE document about the risk of pets spreading coronavirus
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) have released further documents and minutes, including a document on the risk of … read more
expert reaction to regional R estimates for England
The government have released regional data for the COVID-19 R value in England. Prof Keith Neal, Emeritus Professor of … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at mandatory face masks and number of COVID-19 infections in New York, Wuhan and Italy
A study, published in PNAS, looked at mandatory face masks and number of COVID-19 infections in New York, Wuhan and Italy. … read more
expert comments about 2 metre social distancing
There has been discussion in the media about the 2m social distancing rule, specifically regarding the benefits or disadvantages compared … read more
expert reaction to first statistics from the NHS Test and Trace Service for England from 28 May to 3 June 2020
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have released statistics on the first week of the NHS Test and … read more
NHS Test and Trace Service statistics – what do they show?
The SMC was asked to run a briefing for science, health and tech journalists about the statistics released on the … read more
expert reaction to a paper discussing a new human embryo-like model created from human stem cells
Research, published in Nature, looked at a new human embryo-like model created from human stem cells. Prof Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz FMedSci, Professor … read more
expert reaction to announcement at daily government press briefing that from 13th June, some individuals in England will be able to form ‘support bubbles’ with another household
In the Downing Street press conference today, Boris Johnson announced that from the 13th of July single adult households will … read more
expert reaction to comments by Prof Neil Ferguson at House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee
At a House of Commons Select Committee hearing today, Prof Neil Ferguson said instigating lockdown a week earlier in the … read more
expert reaction to modelling framework study looking at effectiveness of facemasks in combination with lockdown in managing the COVID-19 pandemic
A study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, looked at the effectiveness of facemasks in combination with lockdown … read more