51³Ô¹ÏÍø

In this edition: The nocebo effect of statins, the latest on 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s COVID-19 vaccine and a former PM talks pandemic.

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– We find how people with inflammatory bowel conditions are often diagnosed with depression before their bowel diagnosis, and discover a new test that can differentiate between the different strains of Chagas disease.

– We learn from Dr James Howard about his study that found some people report side effects whether they are taking statins or just placebo pills, showing the startling ‘nocebo effect’ that can stop people taking vital medicines despite doing them no harm.

– We speak to Professor Robin Shattock, who is leading 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s vaccine effort, about the current state of play and how he feels about anti-vaccine sentiments.

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– The Director of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s J-IDEA institute, Professor Neil Ferguson, talks to former PM Tony Blair about the scientific and political response to the pandemic.

You can watch the full interview on the .

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The podcast is presented by Gareth Mitchell, a lecturer on 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's MSc Science Communication course and the presenter of on the BBC World Service, with contributions from our roving reporters in the Communications and Public Affairs Division.