Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
expert reaction to announcement that the isolation period in England will be cut to 5 full days (dependent on negative lateral flow tests on day 5 and 6) from Monday
The Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid has announced the change to the self-isolation policy in England starting from … read more
expert reaction to Environmental Audit Committee report on Water Quality in Rivers
A report on the water quality in UK rivers has been published by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC). Prof … read more
expert reaction to headline results from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest headline results from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Dr Simon Clarke, … read more
expert reaction to cell study looking at fat, pancreatic cells, and type 2 diabetes
A lab study published in Diabetologia suggests fat may help the pancreas adapt to excess sugar, potentially slowing down the … read more
expert reaction to study looking at breastfeeding and cardiovascular disease in women
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association looks at breastfeeding and maternal cardiovascular risk. Dr … read more
expert comment on public trust in government and compliance and public health
In light of of news reports about a Downing Street Party in May 2020, here is a comment from Dr … read more
expert reaction to new papers on permafrost thawing
Several papers on permafrost thawing have been published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment. Comment below mainly refers to … read more
expert reaction to pig heart transplant
In a first-of-its-kind surgery by the University of Maryland Medicine a 57-year-old patient with terminal heart disease has received a … read more