Rapid Reactions: responding to breaking news. The demands of the 24-hour media machine mean that news journalists often don’t have the luxury of time to track down the best scientists when a science story lands on their desks, so availability can sometimes win out over expertise. This is where the Science Media Centre steps in. When a story breaks – whether it’s the latest flu epidemic, health scare or a potential nuclear crisis – the SMC persuades leading experts to drop everything and engage with the story, then contacts journalists at all the major news outlets to offer those experts for interviews or immediate comment.
Roundups: putting new research into context. One of the other ways the SMC ensures that the media have easy access to scientists and their views is by offering journalists a variety of comments from scientists reacting to the latest research. This service differs from our ‘Rapid Reactions’ as scientists have time to react before new research is announced, rather than in response to breaking news.
With access to embargoed journals before publication, we can pick stories of most interest to journalists, asking third party experts to provide comments and information to put research into context before it appears in the media. The SMC’s unique Roundups help busy journalists critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of new research, and highlight when studies are very preliminary or display a correlation that should not be read as causation. Equally, when leading scientists are excited about a significant study this can reassure journalists that the study should feature strongly in their coverage.
Scientists comment on the Australian Senate approving a social media ban for under-16s. Prof Chris Ferguson, Professor of Psychology, … read more
A systematic review published in the BMJ looks at interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and rehabilitation for long Covid management. … read more
A study published in the BMJ looks at HRT tablets and increased risk of heart disease and blood clots. Dr Paula … read more
A study published in Science Advances looks at ocean sulfur emission and climate cooling. Prof. Tim Osborn, Director of the Climatic … read more
A study published in JAMA Dermatology looks at association between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and Psoriasis. Prof Wendy Hall, Department of … read more
A study published in PNAS looks at a nasal treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in mice. Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of … read more
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour looks at the association between calorie labelling and calories purchased or consumed. Dr Hilda … read more
Scientists comment on the closing stages of COP29. On the overall outcome – Eliot Whittington, Executive Director of the … read more
Scientists comment on the health effects of methanol, after several deaths in Laos due to methanol poisoning. Professor Christer … read more
A study published in BMC Medicine looks at the use of e-cigarettes among ex-smokers in England. Dr Jasmine Khouja, Senior Research … read more
An unpublished conference abstract presented at the Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Meeting 2024 looks at screen time … read more
Scientists comment on Donald Trump appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr as Health Secretary. Dr David Nunan, Senior Research Fellow … read more
A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology looks at heart defects in babies during the Covid-19 pandemic. Prof Kevin McConway, … read more
Scientists comment on a government announcement that wheat flour must be fortified with folic acid from the end of 2026. … read more
A commentary paper published in Addiction Biology looks at cannabis use causing chromosomal damage and increasing cancer risk. Prof Wayne Hall, … read more
This study looked at the prevalence of diabetes worldwide, showing that 800 million people are living with diabetes. More than … read more
Scientists comment on the UK Government’s announcement on nationally determined contributions at COP29. Prof Mark Maslin, Professor of Climatology … read more
Scientists comment on the NHS rollout of the ‘stop-smoking’ pill Varenicline. Dr Sarah Jackson, Principal Research Fellow at the … read more
Scientists comment on the risks and benefits of tirzepatide (Mounjaro) after a UK death linked to the drug. Prof … read more
Scientists comment on The Sudlow Review, commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer for England, the UK National Statistician and NHS … read more
