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.
Invasive alien species cost the world billions of dollars every year, threatening native species and biodiversity as well as human health and the way ecosystems work. read more
The annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, the largest international meeting dedicated to advancing dementia science, will take place in London from 16th – 20th July. read more
If the UK is to hit its goal of 80% carbon reduction by 2050, all possible low-carbon technologies and fuels will be needed. read more
On Thursday the Home Office published its 2016 statistics on animals used in scientific procedures read more
Lewy body dementias are the second most common form of degenerative dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, but are markedly less well known in comparison. read more
The use of patient data by private companies in the health sector continues to be a controversial subject. read more
Sex toys and masturbation aids have been used for centuries. Now, the development and sale of robots designed to look like humans and used for sexual purposes is fast-approaching with a number of companies already taking orders. read more
The SMC played host to the launch of the Chief Medical Officer’s annual report. read more
The annual meeting for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) will take place in Geneva from 2- 5 July. read more
Neonicotinoid pesticides have been widely used to enhance crop production in the UK and around the world since the 1990s. … read more
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics published a new report, ‘Cosmetic procedures: ethical issues’, on Thursday 22 June 2017. read more
Our ageing population has more complex health needs than ever before, and as we enter a personalised medicine era we … read more
We already know aspirin and other blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding. Aspirin is often prescribed after a heart attack or stroke to reduce the risk of further heart attacks and strokes. read more
Researchers have turned to cannabidiol, one of the compounds found in cannabis, as a potential treatment for seizures in children with epilepsy. read more
Muscle-related symptoms linked to statins have been a controversial topic, with some observational studies reporting symptoms in up to a fifth of patients, in contrast to evidence from blinded randomised trials where rates are much lower. read more
The Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) was launched in England in 2010 to provide patients with access to anti-cancer drugs not available through the NHS because the drugs had not been appraised, were in the process of being appraised, or had been appraised but not recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). read more
After 20 May 2017, new legislation will require tobacco to be sold in standardised (plain) packaging across the UK. read more
There is mounting evidence that air pollution is bad for our health – but what actually happens inside our bodies when we breathe in particulate matter? read more
Severe depression is the number one psychological disorder in the UK and yet 30% of patients do not respond to … read more
The March budget included funding towards a future 5G network in the UK. read more
