When science hits the news agenda, it’s our job to pass as much information to journalists as quickly as possible. In order to do this we send out quotes from experts, statistical analyses of scientific studies and factsheets, in addition to running regular press briefings on the latest hot topic. Find our most recent roundups and rapid reactions, briefings, factsheets and ‘before the headlines’ analyses below, or use the icons on the right.
As well as working with experienced specialist reporters, we also provide support to new reporters, editors and generalists through a series of publications, including ‘briefing notes’ on controversial topics, and guidelines on science and health reporting, and by working with the National Coordinator for Science Training for Journalists.
see publications for journalists
Need an expert to interview? The SMC’s database is not quite like any other. Those on it are selected not just for their proven expertise, but also for their willingness and ability to engage with the media when their area of work hits the headlines. The quality of our experts is important to us. The SMC recruits scientists, engineers and others who work for respected institutions, publish in peer-reviewed journals and have a track record of quality research in their specialist field.
The SMC was established to provide assistance to the national news media when covering controversial science stories or breaking news. As such the SMC’s priority remains to support new reporters at UK national news media outlets. We prioritise working with science, health and environment specialists on controversial news pieces, but also provide support for journalists pursuing original and long-form pieces by advising on the best experts to approach and helping to set up visits to institutions.
Get in touch using the details below. Please be aware though, if your enquiry does not fit our remit we may not be able to help or may refer you on to external scientific institutions.
t: +44 (0)20 7611 8300
e: smc@sciencemediacentre.org
Concern over the largest Ebola outbreak in history has increased, prompting Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond to convene COBRA. read more
The Energy and Climate Change Committee published a report on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report, reviewing Working Group I. read more
Experts responded to an exclusive in the Independent on mitochondrial DNA replacement accusing the Government of the dishonesty over regulation of the process. read more
A study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine reported that shift work was linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with men reported to be at heightened risk. read more
A study published in Scientific Reports reported that wild Japanese monkeys inhabiting the forest area of Fukushima City have lower blood cell counts than monkeys from North Japan read more
The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) have launched a scientific calculator that investigates the impact on carbon emissions of biomass sourced from North America to produce electricity. read more
The Commons Science and Technology Committee published a report saying more action is needed to ensure that variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is not inadvertently transmitted from person-to-person through medical procedures. read more
The Government responded to a public consultation on draft regulations for legalising new techniques for mitochondrial DNA replacement therapy, announcing that plans to change the regulations will progress. read more
Results of the largest genome-wide association study of schizophrenia ever conducted were published in Nature this week, identifying more than 100 genetic variants associated with the condition. read more
A study in PNAS reported that the environmental burdens imposed by beef production far exceed the burdens imposed by other types of livestock and plant staples. read more
This factsheet is also available as a pdf (with images not included below). —— Genome editing comprises a range of molecular techniques … read more
Recent advances in genome engineering make it possible to precisely alter DNA sequences in living cells, providing unprecedented control over a plant’s genetic material. This briefing enabled journalists to find out about molecular genetic techniques for genome editingand tools for epigenetic modification. read more
Research in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reported that in a study of 53 women undergoing IVF 12 babies were born after their mothers were given the hormone kisspeptin to make their eggs mature. read more
At least six attendees of a major AIDS conference are reported to be among the 298 people who died when Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crashed in the Ukraine, including leading researcher Professoe Joep Lange. read more
NICE published its final updated guidance on starting preventive treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) advising that the threshold for starting treatment should be halved from a 20% risk of developing CVD over 10 years to a 10% risk, and that once lifestyle factors have been addressed high intensity statin therapy should be offered. read more
Two systematic reviews published in The Cochrane Library looked at the effects of inhaled corticosteroid drugs, given by inhalers to children with asthma, on growth rates, reporting growth slowed in the first year of treatment but effects were minimised by using lower doses. read more
Authors of an analysis article in the BMJ argued that diagnosing patients with moderately high blood sugar as having pre-diabetes is unhelpful and unnecessary, reporting that blood sugar reduction treatments resulting from a diagnosis of pre-diabetes delayed the onset of type 2 diabetes only by few years and there was no evidence of long-term health benefits. read more
A study in Schizophrenia Bulletin of the effects of THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, reported strong evidence that it can cause short-term paranoia and identified psychological factors that can lead to feelings of paranoia in cannabis users. read more
During a major cabinet reshuffle David Willetts stepped down as Minister of State for Universities and Science. read more
A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Nutrition looked at 343 studies into compositional differences between organic and conventional crops, reporting differences including higher levels of certain anti-oxidants and lower levels of cadmium in organic crops. read more