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.
Early detection of prostate cancer through screening has long been debated. Multiple trials have investigated prostate cancer screening over the … read more
There’s a current perception that we’re facing a ‘global obesity epidemic’ of rising rates of obesity in young people and … read more
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a large class of chemicals, sometimes dubbed ‘forever chemicals’. They are used widely in … read more
The deep sea contains a wealth of mineral resources including cobalt, nickel and copper, widely used metals that are particularly … read more
Obesity is a major global health challenge, with 60-70 per cent of adults in the western countries living with overweight … read more
There’s a current perception that we’re facing a ‘cancer epidemic’ of rising rates of cancer in younger adults. But does … read more
As part of scientific research to monitor animal viruses and viral reservoirs globally, scientists from The Pirbright Institute, the University … read more
A new vaccine trial is starting in the UK investigating an mRNA vaccine candidate against A(H5N1) bird flu, in humans. … read more
26 April 2026 marked the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. Jim Smith has worked for more than 30 years … read more
Over the past few years we’ve heard evidence from clinical trials of the amyloid beta-targeting monoclonal antibodies, like aducanumab, lecanemab … read more
The State of the Global Climate 2025 report from the World Meteorological Organisation shows that the Earth’s energy imbalance is … read more
Scientists from Great Ormond Street Hospital and UCL have created the first lab-grown oesophagus and have implanted it in pigs, … read more
Pregnant and breastfeeding women have historically been excluded from most clinical research. Despite this, 80% of women in the UK … read more
The food landscape is changing, with cell cultivated meat, edible insects and even 3D food printing becoming more of a … read more
Research from the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at Oxford Population Health has looked at vegetarian, vegan, pescetarian, poultry-eating and meat-eating diets … read more
Expert Encounter with Dr Lade Smith, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Dr Lade Smith was elected President of … read more
It was announced today that Waymo plan to launch a pilot driverless taxi service in London in April this year, … read more
Cardiovascular disease results in around 20 million deaths worldwide and causes around a quarter of all deaths in the UK. Statins are highly effective drugs … read more
UKRI is the UK’s largest investor of taxpayers’ money into research and innovation (R&I), with an annual budget of more than … read more
There are many strong opinions on whether the UK should implement a ban on social media for young people. The … read more
