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 potential of a second norovirus wave. Dr Damien Tully, Associate Professor at the Medical Research Council/Uganda … read more
A modelling study published in Nature suggests that Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) may withstand climate extremes. Dr Alessandro Silvano, Oceanographer, … read more
New research published in Cell found a bat-infecting coronavirus can enter human cells in a similar way to COVID-19. Dr … read more
Scientists comment to an unknown disease breakout in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dr Amanda Rojek, Senior Clinical … read more
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looks at continuous glucose monitors in people without diabetes. Dr … read more
Scientists comment on the Seventh Carbon Budget, published by the Climate Change Committee. Prof John Barrett, Professor in Energy … read more
A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry looks at fish intake and slowed disability progress in Multiple … read more
Scientists comment on news that Prof Sir Ian Chapman will be joining UKRI as the new CEO. John-Arne Røttingen, … read more
An observational study published in BMC Medicine looks at antidepressant use and cognitive decline in people with dementia. Prof Tara … read more
A conference abstract presented at the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) Conference looks at emulsifier restriction in people with … read more
Scientists comment on Apple removing their advanced data protection tool for UK users. Dr Rameez Asif, Associate Professor of … read more
Scientists comment on the sinkhole that has appeared in Surrey. Dr Liang Cui, Associate Professor, School of Sustainability, Civil … read more
A study published in Nature estimates global glacier melting from 2000 to 2023. Dr Alex Brisbourne, who is a Glacier Geophysicist … read more
A study published in Cell Metabolism looks at the artificial sweetener aspartame, insulin levels and blood inflammation in mice. Prof Naveed … read more
A study published in Nature looks at Microsoft Azure Quantum on measuring topological qubits. Professor George Booth, Professor of … read more
Scientists comment on the expansion of the OpenSAFELY data platform. Prof Andrew Morris, Director of HDR UK, said: “OpenSAFELY … read more
A paper published in Nature Medicine looks at the contribution of genetic and lifestyle factors to risk of premature death, ageing, and … read more
A study published in The Lancet Public Health looks at life expectancy changes across 20 European countries from 1990-2020. Prof Jennifer … read more
Four papers published in JAMA, JAMA Neurology and JAMA Network Open look at Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) treatment results from the HEALY … read more
Scientists comment on a press release from EDX that gives findings on a new screening test for prostate cancer. … read more
