UCL in the media
Vaping is less harmful than cigarettes
A letter signed by 16 medical professionals, including four from UCL's Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, says “No credible scientist says vaping is ‘completely safe’ – few things are. The point is that vapes are far, far less harmful than smoking.”
New Covid variants emerging
“There are definitely a lot of new Omicron subvariants about and there are a couple that are now starting to cause waves. There is BQ1.1… it probably will become dominant here by end of the month,” said Professor Christina Pagel (UCL Mathematics).
The dangers of peat fires
"Peat can catch fire when it is dry. Dry peat has been used for fuel in Ireland and other places for millennia… Peat fires can be dangerous, as they can spread beneath the surface and can burn for months,” said Professor Simon Lewis (UCL Geography).
UK’s oldest human DNA obtained, revealing two distinct Palaeolithic populations
Genetic data from Palaeolithic humans in the UK - the oldest known human DNA from the British Isles - finds two distinct groups that migrated to Britain at the end of the last ice age, according to new research involving Dr Rhiannon Stevens (UCL Institute of Archaeology).
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Dangerous chemicals leaking from the bottom of the sea
“After the second World War, surplus munitions were unceremoniously dumped in the sea in very large quantities,” said Professor David Alexander (UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction), adding that as their casings break down, dangerous pollutants leak out.
Russia likely stuck with Vladimir Putin for a while
Speaking at the Cliveden Literary Festival, Professor Mark Galeotti (UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies) Mark said the Russian system “needs [Vladimir] Putin to die before it moves on.”
Likely little political impact of Donald Trump's deposition
“Trump has been rocked by so many scandals and allegations of wrongdoing that almost every single case now tends to get lost in the haze,” said Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Political Science).
Checking for Covid antibodies
“A finger prick test, sent in the post, is never going to be as reliable as having a proper test done in a clinic, but they are widely available now,” said Professor Mala Maini (UCL Infection & Immunity).
Despite new Covid subvariant’s vaccine resistance, a major infection wave is unlikely
“With [Covid] cases down everywhere in Europe despite BQ.1.1 still rising in frequency, it is not obvious to me that the arrival of [subvariant] XBB will drive another wave in the UK,” said Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute).
Vitamin D supplements important in winter
“Even if you were to walk naked outside throughout the winter in the UK and eat lots of foods containing vitamin D you would not be able to sustain healthy levels of it. In winter we should all take a supplement of at least 10mcg daily,” said Dr Nicky Keay (UCL Medicine).