Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to the announcement of Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser FRS as the next CEO of UKRI
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have announced that Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser will be taking up the post as their … read more
expert reaction to news reports that PHE have said Roche antibody test is “a very positive development” and that assessments at Porton Down found it was ‘highly specific’
There have been News reports that Public Health England (PHE) have said a new antibody test, developed by the healthcare … read more
expert reaction to study reporting the suggestion that 25% of people in the UK are likely to have already been infected by the COVID-19 virus
Research, published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, reports on the number of people on the UK people who … read more
expert comment on risk of transmission while outside and vitamin D
There have been journalists questions about the risk of transmission of COVID-19 whilst outside, and the role of vitamin D. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at speech-generated droplets and COVID-19 transmission
Research, published in PNAS, reports on speech-generated droplets and COVID-19 transmission. Dr Michael Cotterell, NERC Research Fellow, University of Bristol, … read more
expert reaction to analysis of 10 cases of Kawasaki-like disease in young children reported in Bergamo, Italy
An observational study, published in The Lancet, has looked at 10 cases of a Kawasaki-like disease in young children that may … read more
expert comment on how policy makers and parents manage risks of schools re-opening with the risk of a rare syndrome in children associated with COVID-19
The below comment is based on comments said during an SMC briefing on the rare syndrome in children associated with … read more
rare syndrome in children associated with COVID-19 – what do we know?
Current evidence suggests that most children who have a COVID-19 infection are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. However, recently … read more
expert reaction to study estimating excess deaths over one year directly or indirectly related to COVID-19 based on underlying health conditions and age of UK population, and making comments on the effect of easing the lockdown
A study, published in the Lancet, reports estimates excess deaths over one year directly or indirectly related to COVID-19 based on … read more
expert reaction to latest figures on deaths in hospitals in England involving COVID-19
NHS England have published the latest figure for reported deaths in hospitals in England from COVID-19 – an additional 350 … read more
expert reaction to study screening healthcare workers for COVID-19
A study, published by eLife, reports on screening healthcare workers for COVID-19. Prof Ashley Woodcock, Professor of Respiratory Medicine … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS stats on deaths in England and Wales in week ending 1 May
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released their latest figures on deaths in England and Wales from COVID-19. … read more
digest of the ONS stats on COVID-19 deaths
Once again, David, Carl and Jason kindly offered to analyse the newly released ONS stats on COVID-19 deaths from the … read more
expert reaction to first data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey pilot, estimating numbers of people currently testing positive (swab ‘have-you-got-it’ test)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey pilot, estimating numbers of people currently … read more
expert reaction to preprint looking at characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19
A preprint, a non published paper posted by the University of Oxford, looked at characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women … read more
expert reaction to the Government’s new guidance for easing lockdown
The Government have released their 60 page strategy for easing COVID-19 lockdown measures. On the whole document Prof Paul … read more
expert reaction to latest figures on deaths in hospitals in England involving COVID-19
NHS England have published the latest figure for reported deaths in hospitals in England from COVID-19 – an additional 209 … read more
expert reaction to study looking at possibility of using real-time tracking of self-reported symptoms to predict potential COVID-19 without testing
Research, published in Nature Medicine, reports on the possibility of using real-time tracking of self-reported symptoms to predict potential COVID-19 without … read more
expert reaction to new ONS analysis looking at deaths related to COVID-19 and occupation
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released new data and analysis looking at deaths related to COVID-19 and occupation. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the ACE2 enzyme in men and women with heart failure, some of whom were taking ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and making suggestions about sex differences in COVID-19
A study, published in the European Heart Journal, has looked at the ACE2 enzyme in men and women whilst investigating … read more