Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to WHO declaring the global monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)
At the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee meeting the Director-General determined that the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox constitutes a Public Health … read more
expert reaction to latest stats from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, UK: 22 July 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, … read more
expert reaction to study of monkeypox cases in 16 countries
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looks at monkeypox virus infection in humans across 16 countries. … read more
expert reaction to publication of UK government’s transitional plan to support R&D
A policy paper published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) provides an overview of the UK’s … read more
expert reaction to study looking at menopausal hormone therapy after early-stage breast cancer, and breast cancer recurrence
An observational study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute looks at the use of hormone therapy after … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the ultra-processed food content in school meals and packed lunches in the UK
A study published in Nutrients looks at the ultra-processed food (UPF) content of school meals and packed lunches in the … read more
expert reaction to a review paper on the ‘serotonin theory of depression’
A review paper published in Molecular Psychiatry looks at the ‘serotonin theory of depression’. Prof Gitte Moos Knudsen, Professor … read more
expert reaction to study looking at cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk after Covid
A study published in PLOS Medicine looks at cardiometabolic outcomes up to 12 months after COVID-19 infection. Prof Kevin … read more
expert reaction to UKHSA procuring additional monkeypox vaccine doses and updates to guidance for close contacts
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published the latest epidemiological overview for the ongoing monkeypox outbreak and procured more than … read more
expert reaction to UK wildfires
Wildfires have been recorded in the UK amid high temperatures. Dr Matthew Jones, NERC Independent Research Fellow, Tyndall Centre … read more
expert reaction to study looking at trends in weight loss attempts among children in England children from 1997 to 2016
A study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood looks at trends in weight loss attempts among children in … read more
Heatwaves – climate, resilience and human health
At time of writing, temperatures are forecast to hit 40C in parts of the UK on 18/19 July. This briefing … read more
expert reaction to new recommendations from the JCVI that everyone aged 50 and over will be offered a COVID-19 booster and a flu jab this autumn
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has published recommendations that all over-50s should be offered COVID-19 booster and … read more
expert reaction to latest stats from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, UK: 15 July 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof James Naismith, Director of the … read more
expert reaction to latest figures on monkeypox cases in the UK
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published the latest epidemiological overview for the ongoing monkeypox outbreak. Dr Hugh Adler, … read more
expert reaction to heatwave in UK and Red extreme heat warning issued by the Met Office
The Met Office has issued the first ever Red warning for exceptional heat as temperatures of 40°C have been forecast … read more
expert reaction to data from WHO and UNICEF on global childhood vaccination rates, including against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3); HPV; and measles
The largest sustained decline in childhood vaccinations in approximately 30 years has been recorded in official data published by WHO … read more
expert reaction to study on global alcohol consumption and population level risks
A study published in The Lancet looks at population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year. … read more
How well do different medications work for insomnia?
Between 12-20% of the population suffers from insomnia. It can have a profound impact on health, wellbeing and productivity, so … read more
expert reaction to systematic review and network meta-analysis of medication for acute and long-term insomnia
A systematic review published in The Lancet looks at the comparative effects of pharmacological interventions for the acute and long-term … read more