Author Archives: Science Media Centre
Avian Flu – UK’s worst ever outbreak – what does the science say
In partnership with DEFRA and the Animal Health Plant Agency, we invited journalists to a background briefing on Avian Influenza. … read more
expert reaction to latest stats from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, UK: 14 October 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Rowland Kao, Professor of Veterinary … read more
expert reaction to study looking at human genetics (HLA gene versions) and COVID-19 vaccine immune response and risk of breakthrough infection
A study published in Nature Medicine looks at human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity, and risk of breakthrough … read more
Study looking at human genetics and Covid vaccine immune responses
Scientists at the University of Oxford have carried out a study to investigate whether and how people’s genes influence how … read more
expert reaction to GSK press release giving overall efficacy of their RSV vaccine candidate for older adults
A press release from GSK announces the phase III trial results for their respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidate for … read more
expert reaction to study looking at integrating human stem cell-derived brain-like tissue in the brains of newborn rats
A study published in Nature follows the maturation and circuit integration of transplanted human cortical organoids. Dr András Lakatos, … read more
expert reaction to study in which human and mouse neurons in a dish learned to play the video game, Pong
A study published in Neuron suggests in vitro neurons are able to learn and exhibit sentience when embodied in a … read more
expert comment on the bird flu situation in the UK
A comment from Professor Wendy Barclay on the current avian influenza outbreak in the UK. Prof Wendy Barclay, Head … read more
expert reaction to observational study of diabetes drugs (glitazones) and risk of dementia in those with type 2 diabetes
An observational study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care looks at use of oral diabetes medications and dementia … read more
expert reaction to phase 1 clinical trial looking at tolerability and immunogenicity of intranasally-administered adenovirus-vectored (Oxford-AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccine
Results from a phase 1 trial looking at tolerability and immunogenicity of an intranasally-administered adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccine have been published … read more
expert reaction to studies presenting a standardized approach for quantifying the strength of evidence that supports associations between risk factors and health outcomes
Six studies published in Nature Medicine present a standardized approach for quantifying the strength of evidence that supports associations between … read more
expert reaction to latest stats from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, UK: 7 October 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Mark Woolhouse, Professor of Infectious … read more
expert reaction to study looking at mother’s ultra-processed food intake being linked to obesity risk in children
A study published in The BMJ looks at maternal consumption of ultra-processed foods and risk of overweight or obesity in … read more
expert reaction to study looking at transgender women’s heart-lung capacity against cisgender peers after years of hormone therapy
A study published in British Journal of Sports Medicine looks at cardiopulmonary capacity and muscle strength in transgender women on … read more
expert reaction to study on the risk of neurodegenerative disease in international rugby union players
A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry looks at neurodegenerative disease risk among former international rugby … read more
Latest results from the FIELD (Football’s InfluencE on Lifelong health and Dementia risk) study in relation to former international rugby players
New results from the FIELD (Football’s InfluencE on Lifelong health and Dementia risk) study were published on the evening of … read more
expert reaction to study looking at soluble amyloid-beta (rather than amyloid plaques) and cognition in a group of people with Alzheimer’s disease-causing mutations
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease looks at soluble amyloid-beta, amyloid plaques, and cognition in people with … read more
expert reaction to study examining antidepressant use in pregnancy and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine looks at antidepressant use during pregnancy and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. … read more
Nicotine vaping in England: an evidence update including health risks and perceptions
A new systematic review of the evidence on the health risks of nicotine vaping has been produced by scientists at … read more
expert reaction to Nicotine vaping in England: an evidence update, as published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and authored by scientists at KCL
An evidence update on nicotine vaping in England by scientists at King’s College London has been published by the Office … read more