Author Archives: Science Media Centre

Energy security vs net zero

Energy prices are rising, the west is trying to detach from Russian fossil fuels, and we have net zero pledges … read more

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expert reaction to research letter about US adolescents attempting to quit smoking or vaping

A research letter published in JAMA looks at failed attempts among US adolescents to quit cigarettes and e-cigarettes.   Prof … read more

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expert reaction to reports of extreme temperatures in Arctic and Antarctic

Both of the earth’s poles have experienced unusually high temperatures in recent days.   Dr Bethan Davies from the Department … read more

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expert reaction to ONS stats on excess deaths in England and Wales: March 2020 to December 2021

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data on the number of excess deaths registered in England and Wales between … read more

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expert reaction to US study looking at predicting the risk of some common diseases in preimplantation fertilised embryos

A study published in Nature Medicine looks at whole-genome risk prediction of common diseases in human preimplantation embryos.   Prof … read more

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expert reaction to a study looking at the impacts of badger culling and cattle controls on bovine tuberculosis in England

A study published in Vet Record looks at the impacts of badger culling and cattle controls on bovine tuberculosis in … read more

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expert reaction to the latest stats from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, UK: 18 March 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

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expert reaction to MHRA approval of Evusheld for use in people whose immune response is poor

It has been announced that a new medicine, Evusheld (tixagevimab/cilgavimab), has today been authorised for COVID-19 prevention by the Medicines … read more

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expert reaction to study looking at rates of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes after mild COVID-19 disease

A study published in Diabetologia looks at incidence of newly diagnosed diabetes after COVID-19.   Dr Betty Raman, senior clinical … read more

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expert reaction to a correspondence on the efficacy of a 4th dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine against omicron

A correspondence paper, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), looks at the efficacy of a fourth dose of … read more

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expert reaction to systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between screen time and behavioural problems in children

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry looks at screen time and behaviour problems in children aged 12 and below.   … read more

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expert reaction to study looking at air pollution and autoimmune disease

A study published in RMD Open looks at long-term exposure to air pollution and immune mediated diseases.   Prof Felicity … read more

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expert reaction to update on COVID regulations in Scotland from the Scottish government

There has been an update on COVID regulations from the Scottish government in response to the recent spike in cases, … read more

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expert reaction to COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong

A few journalists have asked us about the current surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Hong Kong, so here … read more

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expert reaction to UK government’s announcement of 2022-2025 R&D budget

The government has announced plans for the largest ever research and development budget.   James Wilsdon, Director of the Research … read more

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expert reaction to claims by the Russian Defence Ministry that ethnic-specific bio-agents might have been developed in Ukraine

The Russian Defence Ministry has claimed that ethnic-specific bio-agents might have been developed in Ukraine.    Prof Alastair Hay, Professor … read more

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expert reaction to arguments about fracking for UK energy security

There has been recent debate and media discussion about the use of fracking in the UK and its role in … read more

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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 18 of their study. This batch of data includes … read more

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expert reaction to latest results from the REACT-1 survey on COVID-19 prevalence in England (Round 18)

The latest results from the REACT-1 study have been released looking at COVID-19 prevalence in England. This Roundup accompanied an … read more

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expert reaction to the death of the man who received a pig heart transplant in January 2022

It has been announced that David Bennett, the man who received a pig heart transplant in January 2022 has died.  … read more

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