Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to genetic study looking at alcohol and cancer
A study published in the International Journal of Cancer looks at alcohol metabolism genes and risks of site-specific cancers in … read more
expert reaction to new legislation for genome editing in plants, as announced by Defra
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced new legislation to cut red tape for gene editing plant … read more
expert reaction to concerns around 5G and aviation in the US
There have been several reports discussing the possible disruption of US aviation once mobile networks AT&T and Verizon deploy new … read more
expert comment on COVID-mention deaths in UK
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on COVID-mention deaths in the UK in case useful. Prof Sheila Bird, Formerly … read more
expert reaction to study looking at inhaled heparin as a possible treatment for COVID-19
A study published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology looks at the use of inhaled heparin for the treatment of … read more
expert reaction to latest COVID-19 Infection Survey headline results, UK: 19 January 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest headline results from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus … read more
expert reaction to Boris Johnson statement in the House of Commons on review of Plan B measures and easing of restrictions in England next week
The Prime Minister has announced the easing of England’s Plan B restrictions from next week. Dr Simon Williams, Senior … read more
expert reaction to study looking at measures of attention and memory in people who have recovered from mild COVID-19
A study published in Brain Communications looks at cognitive ability in survivors of mild COVID-19. Dr Stephen Burgess, statistician, … read more
Online scientific misinformation
A new Royal Society report explores how the internet is transforming the way we share and consume information and the … read more
expert comment on COVID-mention deaths in England and Wales
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on COVID-mention deaths in England and Wales in case useful. Prof Sheila Bird, … read more
expert reaction to media reports that some hamsters will be culled in Hong Kong after a pet shop employee, a customer and some hamsters reportedly tested positive for SARS-CoV-2
There have been reports that thousands of hamsters will be culled and about 150 pet store visitors sent to government quarantine … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 7 January 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the … read more
expert comments from ethicists on the situation with Novak Djokovic and the Australian Open
Two ethicists have sent over their comments on the Djokovic situation, here they are in case useful. Prof Dominic … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more
Early data on omicron and hospitalisations in children
There is some very early UK data looking at hospitalisations in children with Covid-19, comparing Omicron to Delta. The data … read more
expert reaction to two SAGE papers looking at early data on omicron and hospitalisations in children
Two papers, published this afternoon in the latest batch of SAGE documents, provide early data on omicron and hospitalisations in … read more
expert reaction to study looking at clinically relevant levels of potentially active virus 10 days after a positive PCR test
A study published in International Journal of Infectious Diseases looks at persistence of clinically relevant levels of potentially infectious SARS-CoV-2 … read more
expert reaction to WHO recommending two drugs, sotrovimab and baricitinib, to treat patients with COVID-19
A new clinical practice guideline from the WHO Guideline Development Group recommending baricitinib and sotrovimab as COVID-19 treatments has been … read more
expert reaction to study looking at SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination rates in pregnant women in Scotland
A study published in Nature Medicine looks at the protective effects of COVID-19 vaccination on pregnant women in Scotland. … read more