Author Archives: Science Media Centre
launch of Sanger’s new Respiratory Virus & Microbiome Initiative
A new initiative to better understand respiratory viruses is being launched by the Wellcome Sanger Institute. It aims to develop … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 30 December 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data for deaths in England and Wales. Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter, … read more
social media, online harms and mental health – what does the evidence say?
Individual cases – such as the tragic death of Molly Russell – have formed part of the larger ongoing discussion … read more
expert reaction to the Defra plant biosecurity strategy for Great Britain (2023 to 2028)
A policy paper has been published by Defra detailing the plan to protect plant biosecurity in Great Britain. Prof … read more
expert reaction to FDA accelerated approval of lecanemab for Alzheimer’s Disease
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved lecanemab via the Accelerated Approval pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. … read more
expert reaction to a new approach for predicting how glaciers respond to climate change
A study published in Science provides a new approach for predicting how glaciers respond to climate change. The following … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 23 December 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data for deaths in England and Wales. Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter, … read more
expert reaction to 2022 being UK’s hottest year on record
The Met Office have confirmed that 2022 was the UK’s hottest year on record, with an average temperature of over … read more
expert reaction to correspondence piece of a patient with cerebral haemorrhages who was receiving lecanemab and treated with t-PA for stroke
A correspondence paper, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), looks at the case of a patient receiving lecanemab … read more
expert reaction to the Omicron XBB.1.5 COVID variant
Here are some comments from scientists on the XBB.1.5 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in case useful. Prof Francois Balloux, Professor … read more
expert reaction to the announcement by Rishi Sunak that maths will be made compulsory for pupils in England until age 18
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans today to ensure all pupils in England study maths in some form until … read more
expert reaction to Covid pre-departure tests (and testing a sample of arrivals) for travellers to England from mainland China
The government has announced precautionary and temporary measures to improve COVID surveillance from China as COVID cases rise in China … read more
expert reaction to PANORAMIC trial results looking at molnupiravir in adults in the community with COVID-19 who are at increased risk of severe outcomes
Results from the PANORAMIC trial looking at the use of molnupiravir as early COVID-19 treatment for adults at increased risk … read more
PANORAMIC study of molnupiravir for Covid – results
After being authorised for use in the UK, the antiviral molnupiravir is being evaluated as part of the Platform Adaptive … read more
expert reaction to current COVID situation in China
In case useful, here are some comments from scientists on the current COVID-19 situation in China. Prof Sir Andrew … read more
expert reaction to study looking at coffee and green tea consumption and heart deaths in people with severe high blood pressure
A study published in Journal of the American Heart Association looks at coffee and green tea consumption, and cardiovascular disease … read more
expert reaction to study reporting long-term outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in the REMAP-CAP Randomized Clinical Trial
A study published in JAMA looks at long-term (180-Day) outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in the REMAP-CAP Randomized … read more
expert reaction to global biodiversity agreement reached at UN Biodiversity Conference COP15
Negotiators reached a deal at the United Nations biodiversity conference early on Monday. Dr Andrew Terry, Director of Conservation … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, UK: 16 December 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 study looking at intermittent fasting and type 2 diabetes
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism looks at the effect of an intermittent calorie-restricted diet … read more