The Science Media Centre is not restricted to reacting to the headlines, and has helped scientists to more proactively set the agenda by bringing new science or evidence to journalists. This comes from our regular briefings, which take a variety of forms and cover a wide range of topics. Many are background briefings introducing journalists to the best experts and science on controversial issues like nuclear waste, nanotechnology, emerging diseases, or animal research, for example. They may also be news briefings where the SMC works with scientists to give the national media a new story on developments within science, whether it’s a report on climate change, a paper on stem cells being published in a leading journal, or science funding cuts in the latest budget. In addition, the SMC encourages leading experts to ‘speak out’ to the media about developments they believe may pose a threat to scientific research – not something science has been renowned for.
UK legislation approved in 2021 and brought into force in 2022 require calorie information to be displayed on menus and … read more
More than one billion people are estimated to be living with obesity globally. A new global Commission on obesity is … read more
A glyphosate-resistant weed population have been identified on a farm in the UK. Glyphosate-resistance in weeds has been found elsewhere … read more
UK Biobank are launching the world’s largest study of the proteins circulating in our bodies, which they say will transform … read more
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has published two important new reports. The ‘Nexus Assessment’ is the … read more
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was once thought to be a childhood disorder only. However, it is now well-known that … read more
In its annual Review of Energy Policy, the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) identifies necessary steps that must be taken … read more
Last month there was much excitement when the new government confirmed their intention to introduce smoking legislation that would see … read more
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) have published findings from their review of the ethical and regulatory questions surrounding stem … read more
In a new study led by the University of Oxford and published in Nature, some of the researchers who developed … read more
As global plastic production continues to increase, plastic and microplastic pollution is a growing issue and is related to various … read more
As world leaders meet at COP29 in Baku, the Global Carbon Project will reveal the latest trends in global carbon … read more
Commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer for England, the UK National Statistician and NHS England’s National Director for Transformation, the … read more
NICE have published its updated guideline on the recognition and management of menopause, following the publication of the draft guideline … read more
As is customary with new CSAs and Science Ministers, the SMC invited the new Chair of the House of Commons … read more
Norovirus, a virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, can be a particular problem in closed settings which have high numbers … read more
Our Future Health has now reached a critical milestone with over a million people from across the UK having completed all steps of … read more
A new report from the National Engineering Policy Centre, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering, examines how we can … read more
Many people hope and believe that one part of how we get to Net Zero will be by reducing meat … read more
On 7 October, UKRI will hold an event in Westminster showcasing projects that support the clean energy transition and the … read more
