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.
The great storm hit the UK on 15 and 16 October 1987, killing 18 people and causing £1bn in damage. Why did we fail to forecast it? Would things be different if it happened again? Does it even matter? read more
Building on Sally Davies’s vision for integrating genomics into every aspect of the NHS, Dr. Sullivan can discuss some of the latest genomics and population-based genomic analysis is starting to play in understanding the genetic determinants of Alzheimer’s disease. read more
16 years ago, there were no new TB vaccines being tested in clinical trials, despite a huge global burden of disease. Over the last 16 years there has been significant progress and we now have a pipeline of ~12 candidates being tested in human clinical trials. read more
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and British Geological Survey (BGS) will announce plans for a multi-million-pound geological research facility to be built in Cheshire. read more
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), a form of learning difficulty, has received little recognition amongst the public or medical community yet it is extremely common, has a lifelong impact and there are interventions that can help. read more
The Lightning Process is a controversial treatment that is sometimes used for children with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). read more
Last year, Kathy Niakan, a developmental biologist at the Francis Crick Institute, was the first UK scientist to be given the go-ahead by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to use genome-editing techniques on human embryos. Kathy’s research aims to understand aspects of the basic biology of early human embryo development and the role of specific genes. read more
Scientists from the Met Office presented their latest data on global temperatures – including evidence which suggests the ‘slowdown’ in global surface temperatures has come to an end, and that temperature rise has recently accelerated again. read more
People have always been exposed to ionising radiation, and more so in modern life thanks to its uses in medicine, industry and the military. The health risks from medium- and high-level radiation are relatively well-understood, but the risks at low levels are debated, and mixed messages about safety from different sources are confusing for both the public and for policy makers. read more
It is still controversial to say that the mind and body can strongly affect each other, but recent research has shown how the mind can impact on physical diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes and there is growing excitement in how the immune system may have a role in some mental illness. read more
Up to 20% of people attending medical clinics are actually suffering from health anxiety, where people are excessively worried about their health, and the numbers seem to be rising. read more
Households account for between a quarter and a third of total energy use in the UK. Improving their energy efficiency … read more
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
