Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study looking at social media use and depression in adults
A study published in Jama Network Open looks at Social Media Use and Self-reported Symptoms of Depression in US adults. … read more
expert reaction to Today Programme Interview with Pascal Soriot and comments made about T-cell immunity generated from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine compared to mRNA vaccines and the impact on risk of hospitalisation
A few journalists have asked us about comments made by Pascal Soriot, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of … read more
expert reaction to government proposal for a ban on single-use plastics
The government have announced plans to ban problematic plastics such as single-use cutlery and plates in England as part of … read more
expert reaction to perspective looking at the early cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan
A perspective piece published in Science investigates the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof James Wood, Head of Department … 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
expert reaction to study looking at the theoretical possibility of unborn babies contracting COVID-19 from the mother
A study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology looks at COVID-19 and whether transmission could occur … read more
expert reaction to Austria announcing a national lockdown and mandatory vaccination from February and the general COVID-19 situation in Europe
It has been reported that Austria is to enter a full national lockdown from Monday amid a surge of COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to single case study of a man with migraines who started eating more dark green leafy vegetables
A case study published in BMJ Case Reports follows a man with chronic migraines who adopted a plant based diet … read more
Seqirus on pandemic preparedness – what does it mean to be ready?
Seqirus, a leading manufacturer that specialises in flu vaccines, put together a panel of their experts who were available to … read more
expert reaction to press release from AstraZeneca announcing new analyses of two AZD7442 COVID-19 Phase III trials in high-risk populations confirm robust efficacy and long-term prevention
The press release from AstraZeneca suggests six-month follow-up of their prevention trial showed 83% reduced risk of symptomatic COVID-19 and … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on comparisons of all-cause mortality between European countries and regions: data up to week ending 3 September 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data on mortality patterns and measures of excess mortality of selected European … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on behaviour of the COVID-19 vaccinated population after being in contact with a positive case in England: 25 to 30 October 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data from the COVID Test and Trace Contacts Behavioural Insights Survey on the behaviour … read more
Latest results from the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 prevalence across England – round 15 final report
We recently heard from the REACT-1 scientists with interim results from round 15 of their study looking at virus prevalence … read more
expert reaction to preprint with results from round 15 of the REACT-1 study on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in England
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, reports on the latest data from the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 spread across … read more
expert reaction to new NICE guidance on a long-acting injectable HIV-1 treatment
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a draft guidance recommending cabotegravir with rilpivirine, the first … read more
expert reaction to systematic review and meta-analysis on public health measures to reduce incidence of COVID-19
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The BMJ looks at the effectiveness of public health measures in reducing the … read more
expert reaction to news that EMA’s expert advisory panel, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), issued a “negative trend vote” on Aduhelm (aducanumab) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Biogen have announced an update on the regulatory review of aducanumab in the European Union. Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director … read more
Study looking at early development and gastrulation in a human embryo
The first detailed cellular and molecular examination of a human embryo in the process of gastrulation is presented online in … read more
expert reaction to study of early human development (gastrulation) in a human embryo
A study published in Nature provides the first detailed cellular and molecular examination of a human embryo in the process … read more
expert reaction to study looking at mental health concerns during the pandemic
A study published in Nature looks at calls to mental health helplines to measure mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. … read more