Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to update from UKHSA on hepatitis cases in children under investigation
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an update on the ongoing investigation into higher than usual rates of liver … read more
expert reaction to poster looking at a case study of a woman who tested positive for the omicron variant 20 days after being infected with the delta variant
A poster presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) Annual Meeting looks at a case … read more
expert reaction to study looking at antidepressants and health-related quality of life
A study published in PLOS ONE looks at antidepressants and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with depression. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at climate, agriculture and insect populations
A study published in Nature looks at agriculture, climate change and insect biodiversity. Prof Jane Hill, Professor of Ecology, … read more
the Science Media Centre’s recommendations on science and the media, based on our experience during the COVID-19 pandemic
The SMC put together its recommendations based on its experiences of science media relations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of … read more
could science be communicated better during the next pandemic? – the lessons the SMC has learned during COVID-19
This is a guest post by Fiona Lethbridge, Senior Press Manager at the SMC. Since 2002 the Science Media … read more
expert reaction to press release and preprint from Moderna on safety, immunogenicity and antibody persistence of a bivalent beta-containing booster vaccine
Moderna have announced an update on their bivalent beta-containing booster vaccine candidate. Prof Penny Ward, Independent Pharmaceutical Physician, and … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey: 14 April 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 the MHRA approving the Valneva COVID-19 vaccine
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have announced approval of the Valneva COVID-19 vaccine after meeting the required safety, … read more
expert reaction to UKHSA investigating 74 cases of hepatitis in children
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected higher than usual rates of liver inflammation (hepatitis) in children. Prof … read more
expert reaction to study looking at exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and risk in middle-aged women of developing diabetes
A study published in Diabetologia looks at per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and diabetes risk in midlife women. Prof … read more
expert reaction to post mortem study looking at COVID-19 and olfactory damage in the brain
A study published in JAMA Neurology looks at the olfactory pathology associated with COVID-19 infection. Dr Payam Rezaie, Reader … read more
expert comment about SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, including REACT-1 and the ONS Infection Survey
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on COVID-19 surveillance in case useful. Prof Sheila Bird, Formerly Programme Leader, MRC … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey: 8 April 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Rowland Kao, the Sir Timothy … read more
expert reaction to updated NICE draft guideline on weight management, including the suggestion for people to keep their waist measurement to less than half their height
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published an updated draft guideline recommending people keep their waist … read more
expert reaction to study looking at producing rat primordial germ cell-like cells (and then live rat offspring) from rat stem cells
A study published in Science looks at the generation of functional primordial germ cell–like cells from pluripotent stem cells in … read more
expert reaction to study looking at risk of vision impairment and loss, and use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology looks at the risk of ocular adverse events associated with the use of phosphodiesterase … read more
expert reaction to government press release about the energy strategy
The government published a press release last night on the new British Energy Security Strategy. Please note these comments … read more
Latest results from the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 prevalence across England
The REACT-1 team from Imperial College London has now completed round 19 of their study – this is the final … read more
expert reaction to study looking at COVID-19 vaccination in early pregnancy and risk of congenital foetal anomalies
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics looks at COVID-19 vaccination during early pregnancy and risk of congenital fetal anomalies. … read more