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.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified new ways in which mitochondria, the ‘batteries’ that produce our energy, interact … read more
Traditionally cancer has been treated with aggressive win-at-all-costs strategies but does this actually work? Is it time to rethink how … read more
Much has been discussed about the role and influence of social media on young people, although there is a real … read more
The number of children living with serious illness is rising as medical technology allows us to sustain their lives. There … read more
Over 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia – most of them still at home. Obviously lots of … read more
New research carried out by the University of Southampton and King’s College London has looked into whether Cognitive Behavioural Therapy … read more
It has previously been claimed that a small amount of alcohol might protect against stroke. A new genetic study of … read more
A few years ago, atmospheric CO2 passed the 400ppm mark. The last time CO2 was so plentiful was in the … read more
It has been established that urban living is associated with an increased risk of psychosis but untangling the complexities of … read more
New research from NERC’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) assesses the state of Britain’s main wild pollinator species. The … read more
Many countries have legalised or decriminalised cannabis use, leading to concerns that this might result in an increase in recreational … read more
Advances in neuroscience, psychiatry and genetics are dramatically changing our understanding of the way the human brain develops, a process … read more
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which some describe as the ‘IPCC for Biodiversity’, is an … read more
About one in every 350 adults in the UK has Parkinson’s disease. There are various drugs and therapies that can … read more
A Restatement of the evidence on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, describes how … read more
Cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug by teenagers worldwide and while there has been a lot of focus … read more
Most individual statin trials previously considered ‘elderly’ people those aged over 65 years of age. Due to advances in medicine, … read more
Shale gas exploration resumed in Lancashire in October and had to be paused several times after tremors were detected. Opposition … read more
A drone closed Gatwick airport for several days before Christmas and halted flights for an hour at Heathrow a few … read more
One of the biggest science stories of 2018 was the news that a Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, claimed to have … read more
