Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to a press release from Colossal announcing that they have hatched chicks from an artificial egg system
Scientists comment on a press release from Colossal Biosciences announcing that chicks have been hatched from an artificial egg system. … read more
Faster digitalisation of electricity system urgently needed
We’re getting better at producing low-carbon electricity, but engineers claim in a new report that more digitalisation is needed for … read more
expert reaction to a post hoc secondary analysis of an RCT on high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy and test-based cognitive performance at age 10 years
A follow-up of an RCT published in JAMA Network Open looks at vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy and cognitive performance of … read more
expert reaction to study of heading the ball in amateur football and acute blood markers of neural damage
A study published in JAMA Neurology looks at football heading and elevations in blood biomarkers of neural damage. Dr Peter Theobald, … read more
expert reaction to latest UKHSA hantavirus update including receiving from Japan doses of the antiviral medicine favipiravir (FAVI)
Scientists comment on the latest Hantavirus update from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on receiving doses of the antiviral … read more
The Biobank Letters
Intro On 23 April, a science minister stood up in the Commons and announced that data from UK Biobank volunteers … read more
expert reaction to WHO declaring the outbreak of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda determined a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)
Scientists comment on the World Health Organisation declaring the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is determined … read more
expert reaction to meningitis outbreak in Reading
Scientists comment on a meningitis cases confirmed in Reading. Dr Eliza Gil, Clinical Lecturer at the London School of … read more
expert reaction to Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Scientists comment on an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dr Anne Cori (and team*), Associate … read more
expert reaction to the WHO report on nicotine pouches
Scientists comment on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) report on nicotine pouches. Dr Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, Assistant Professor of Health … read more
Updated Cochrane review into whether prostate cancer screening reduces deaths
Early detection of prostate cancer through screening has long been debated. Multiple trials have investigated prostate cancer screening over the … read more
expert reaction to updated Cochrane review into whether prostate cancer screening reduces deaths
An updated review published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews looks at prostate cancer screening and mortality. Dr Adam Brentnall, … read more
expert reaction to systematic review and meta-analysis of antidepressant use before and during pregnancy and risk of autism and ADHD in children
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet looks at antidepressant use in pregnancy and the risk of autism and … read more
expert reaction to un-published ECO 2026 abstract on rapid versus gradual weight loss for reducing risk of obesity-related complications
An unpublished conference abstract presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2026 looked at rapid versus gradual weight loss and … read more
expert reaction to latest hantavirus update from the UKHSA, including that six individuals from Arrowe Park are returning home or to other accommodation to complete their 45 day isolation period
Scientists comment on the latest hantavirus update from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on individuals returning home to complete … read more
expert reaction to King’s speech
Scientists comment on the King’s speech for the opening of parliament. Sir John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the … read more
expert reaction to an analysis of global obesity trends
A study in Nature looks at global obesity trends in developed and developing nations. Dr Marie Spreckley, Research Programme Manager, University … read more
New analysis of global obesity trends
There’s a current perception that we’re facing a ‘global obesity epidemic’ of rising rates of obesity in young people and … read more
expert reaction to observational study on mothers’ jobs and autism diagnoses in children
An observational study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine looks at associations between maternal occupation and autism diagnoses in children. … read more
expert reaction to an RCT on the use of pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT for weight loss maintenance after an 8-week low-energy diet
A randomised controlled trial published in Nature Medicine looks at pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT for weight loss maintenance in people with overweight … read more