Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to Katharine Birbalsingh’s comments on physics at a Science and Technology Committee inquiry hearing
Katharine Birbalsingh made a comment about girls and choosing physics A-levels when addressing a Science and Technology Committee inquiry on … read more
expert reaction to technical briefing and update from the UKHSA on acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children in England
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an update, including a technical briefing document, on the ongoing investigation into higher … read more
expert reaction to study of cases of drug-resistant fungus in humans that have come from the environment
A study published in Nature Microbiology looks at the acquisition of drug-resistant fungal infections from the environment. Prof Neil … read more
expert reaction to abstract on using cytokines as a marker to identify COVID-19 patients with the worst prognosis
A conference abstract presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) Annual Meeting looks at specific immune … read more
expert reaction to conference abstract looking at organic vegetables and microbes
A conference abstract presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) Annual Meeting looks at microbes present … read more
expert reaction to the latest ONS infection survey data on current infections and cumulative infections
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey and a technical article looking … read more
British Ecological Society report on protected areas and nature recovery
The UK government has committed to protecting 30% of the land and sea of the four nations to support nature … read more
expert reaction to update from UKHSA on hepatitis cases in children under investigation
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an update on the ongoing investigation into higher than usual rates of liver … read more
expert reaction to poster looking at a case study of a woman who tested positive for the omicron variant 20 days after being infected with the delta variant
A poster presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) Annual Meeting looks at a case … read more
expert reaction to study looking at antidepressants and health-related quality of life
A study published in PLOS ONE looks at antidepressants and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with depression. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at climate, agriculture and insect populations
A study published in Nature looks at agriculture, climate change and insect biodiversity. Prof Jane Hill, Professor of Ecology, … read more
could science be communicated better during the next pandemic? – the lessons the SMC has learned during COVID-19
This is a guest post by Fiona Lethbridge, Senior Press Manager at the SMC. Since 2002 the Science Media … read more
the Science Media Centre’s recommendations on science and the media, based on our experience during the COVID-19 pandemic
The SMC put together its recommendations based on its experiences of science media relations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of … read more
expert reaction to press release and preprint from Moderna on safety, immunogenicity and antibody persistence of a bivalent beta-containing booster vaccine
Moderna have announced an update on their bivalent beta-containing booster vaccine candidate. Prof Penny Ward, Independent Pharmaceutical Physician, and … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey: 14 April 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of … read more
expert reaction to the MHRA approving the Valneva COVID-19 vaccine
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have announced approval of the Valneva COVID-19 vaccine after meeting the required safety, … read more
expert reaction to UKHSA investigating 74 cases of hepatitis in children
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected higher than usual rates of liver inflammation (hepatitis) in children. Prof … read more
expert reaction to study looking at exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and risk in middle-aged women of developing diabetes
A study published in Diabetologia looks at per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and diabetes risk in midlife women. Prof … read more
expert reaction to post mortem study looking at COVID-19 and olfactory damage in the brain
A study published in JAMA Neurology looks at the olfactory pathology associated with COVID-19 infection. Dr Payam Rezaie, Reader … read more
expert comment about SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, including REACT-1 and the ONS Infection Survey
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on COVID-19 surveillance in case useful. Prof Sheila Bird, Formerly Programme Leader, MRC … read more