Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to comments by Matt Hancock on BBC R4 Today that the government intends to introduce mass-testing by the end of 2020
Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said this morning in an interview on BBC Radio … read more
update on the future of the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey
The Department for Health and Social Care and the Office for National Statistics made an announcement this morning about the … read more
expert reaction to analysis of reports on unintended pregnancies with combined use of certain antibiotics and hormonal contraceptives
A study, published in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine*, has analysed reports of unintended pregnancies occurring when certain antibiotics are used with … read more
expert reaction to comments made by Paul Tambyah (president-elect of the International Society of Infectious Diseases) about the SARS-CoV-2 virus, suggesting the D614G mutation may explain a reduced death rate from COVID-19 in some parts of the world
Reuters have reported* that Paul Tambyah, the president-elect of the International Society of Infectious Diseases, has suggested that the D614G … read more
expert reaction to Cochrane rapid review of digital contact tracing technologies
The Cochrane Collaboration have published* a rapid review on the effectiveness of digital contact tracing technologies during infectious disease outbreaks. … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at using deep learning and MRI scans
A study, published in the American Journal of Roentgenology*, has investigated using deep learning to algorithms to improve the resolution of … read more
expert reaction to reports that the head of the Chinese pharmaceutical firm, SinoPharm, has said their COVID-19 vaccine will be commercially available by the end of the year
There are reports* in the media that the head of the Chinese pharmaceutical firm SinoPharm has said that their COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to speech by Matt Hancock on ‘The Future of Public Health’ and the launch of the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP)
In a speech this morning titled The Future of Public Health*, Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and … read more
expert reaction to Office for National Statistics COVID-19 Infection Survey: characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19 in England
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published more results from their COVID-19 Infection Survey, this time on the characteristics … read more
expert reaction to Office for National Statistics survey on depression in adults in June 2020 compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published* the results of a survey on depression in adults, investigating incidence before … read more
expert reaction to study linking COVID-19 to increase in type 1 diabetes in children
A study, published in Diabetes Care*, has looked at a potential link between COVID-19 and an increase in type 1 diabetes … read more
expert reaction to unpublished preprint about COVID-19 antibodies and protection from SARS-Cov-2 in people on a fishing boat
A preprint (not a published paper), uploaded to medRxiv, has described a case study of COVID-19 infection on a fishing boat … read more
expert reaction to study looking at Bisphenol A (BPA) and risk of long-term mortality
A study, published in JAMA Network Open*, has looked at links between Bisphenol A (BPA) levels in humans and long-term risk … read more
expert comments on the Ofqual interim report about awarding GCSE, AS, A level, advanced extension awards and extended project qualifications in summer 2020
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) have published* an interim report detailing how grades have been awarded for … read more
expert reaction to unpublished preprint simulating effect of facemasks on droplet spread
A preprint from the University of Edinburgh, uploaded to medRxiv*, has simulated the effect of facemasks on droplet spread. Prof … read more
expert reaction to unpublished, non-peer-reviewed preprint about convalescent plasma to treat hospitalised COVID patients
A preprint, uploaded to medRxiv*, has looked at usage of convalescent plasma to treat hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the US. … read more
expert reaction to media reports suggesting that the pandemic response work of PHE may be merged with NHS Test and Trace into a new body called the National Institute for Health Protection
There have been media reports, notably in The Sunday Telegraph*, that Public Health England (PHE) may be dissolved and its … read more
expert reaction to further easing of some lockdown measures going ahead this weekend, having been postponed two weeks ago
Further lockdown measures in the UK are being eased from Saturday, after the easing was paused two weeks ago due … read more
expert reaction to PHE investigation into the effectiveness of ‘double testing’ travellers incoming to the UK for signs of COVID-19
An investigation by Public Health England (PHE) from 17th June 2020, published today as part of the SAGE evidence, has … read more
expert reaction to latest R number and growth rates published by the government and latest data from the ONS Infection Survey
The government have published the latest estimates* for the COVID-19 R value in England and Wales, and the Office for … read more