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UCL in the media
Serious infection may affect gut microbiome
Commenting on a story in which someone lost their desire for wine after a serious illness Professor Rajiv Jalan (UCL Liver and Digestive Health) says that one “wild theory” is that infection could affect the microbiome of the gut and that this could impact desire for alcohol.
Which immune-boosting supplements actually work?
Professor Michael Heinrich (UCL School of Pharmacy) discusses which supplements’ immune boosting claims are actually backed up by science, saying that the majority of vitamin supplements aren’t necessary, but taking vitamin D during the winter may be beneficial.
Watch: BBC One's 'The Truth About...' (from 10 mins 53 secs), Read: Mail Online, More: Mirror, Mail Online (2)
“Wise to be cautious” about Covid-19 variant
While there are alternatives to the new variant of Covid-19 being inherently more transmissible than the initial strain, it is “wise to be cautious” to limit further transmission, says Dr Jennifer Rohn (UCL Medicine).
Listen: BBC Radio 2’s ‘Steve Wright in the Afternoon’ (from 1 hour 58 mins 9 secs)
Add-on fertility treatments “targeted at vulnerable people”
Add-on treatments for those undertaking IVF are being targeted at vulnerable people, but there is “no evidence the treatments work,” warns Professor Joyce Harper (UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health).
Why Zoom isn’t a replacement for real interaction
Zoom’s face to face set-up is not how you would normally be positioned in a social situation, and also removes subtle cues which we use in conversations, such as breathing and eye contact, says Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences).
Will people abide by tougher Covid-19 restrictions?
When people feel the situation is serious, the vast majority will abide by Covid-19 restrictions, even those which impact massively on their daily lives, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences).
Listen: BBC Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ (from 12 mins 27 secs)
The psychological risks of travelling to Mars
Dr Iya Whiteley (UCL Space & Climate Physics) discusses the potential psychological impacts of travel to Mars, and the tests which would be given to potential astronauts to ensure they could cope with these pressures.
Covid-19 lockdown will take time to have an impact
Deaths from Covid-19 will keep increasing in the short term despite new lockdown restrictions, as there is a lag of two to three weeks between measures coming into effect and them having an impact on the number of cases, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health).
Read: Star, More: Mail Online, Listen: BBC Radio 4’s ‘PM’ (from 32 mins 32 secs)
Is safe singing possible during Covid-19?
A study led by Professor Laurence Lovat (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science) has found that singing while wearing a surgical face mask results in almost no droplets being spread, potentially paving the way for safe communal singing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Watch: BBC News, Listen: BBC Radio 4’s ‘PM’ (from 30 mins 32 secs)
Satellite system helps reduce deforestation
A satellite system which monitors deforestation in real time is useful because it makes it “really easy for people to have a look and see what is going on - and then take action," says Professor Simon Lewis (UCL Geography).
