Author Archives: Science Media Centre
preprint results of the PERFORM Study
The performing arts has been badly affected during the coronavirus pandemic with live musical performances cancelled because singing was identified … read more
expert reaction to a preprint from the PERFORM project looking at the COVID-19 risk associated with singing
A preprint, an unpublished non peer-reviewed, looked at the aerosol distribution associated with different forms of speech and singing. This … read more
expert reaction to latest NHS Test & Trace stats for the week 6 to 12 August
The government have released the latest NHS Test and trace statistics. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics, … read more
expert reaction to study claiming children are silent spreaders of SARS-CoV-2
A study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics*, has claimed that children are silent spreaders of SARS-CoV-2. Prof Russell Viner, … read more
expert reaction to study on single dose radiotherapy for breast cancer
A study, published in The BMJ*, has looked at long-term survival of breast cancer patients undergoing single dose radiotherapy. Joanne … read more
expert reaction to comments by Matt Hancock on BBC Breakfast that the UK is not considering mask use in offices as COVID transmission in the workplace is low
Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said this morning in an interview on BBC Breakfast … read more
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