Rapid Reactions: responding to breaking news. The demands of the 24-hour media machine mean that news journalists often don’t have the luxury of time to track down the best scientists when a science story lands on their desks, so availability can sometimes win out over expertise. This is where the Science Media Centre steps in. When a story breaks – whether it’s the latest flu epidemic, health scare or a potential nuclear crisis – the SMC persuades leading experts to drop everything and engage with the story, then contacts journalists at all the major news outlets to offer those experts for interviews or immediate comment.
Roundups: putting new research into context. One of the other ways the SMC ensures that the media have easy access to scientists and their views is by offering journalists a variety of comments from scientists reacting to the latest research. This service differs from our ‘Rapid Reactions’ as scientists have time to react before new research is announced, rather than in response to breaking news.
With access to embargoed journals before publication, we can pick stories of most interest to journalists, asking third party experts to provide comments and information to put research into context before it appears in the media. The SMC’s unique Roundups help busy journalists critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of new research, and highlight when studies are very preliminary or display a correlation that should not be read as causation. Equally, when leading scientists are excited about a significant study this can reassure journalists that the study should feature strongly in their coverage.
There have been reports this morning that Dr Mike McKean, vice-president of policy at the RCPCH, has said: “Without a doubt, … read more
It has been reported that the Nova Kakhovka dam in the Russian-controlled area of southern Ukraine has collapsed. Prof … read more
A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood looks at breastfeeding duration and educational achievement in England. Prof … read more
A report published by the Institute of Economic Affairs looks at whether COVID-19 lockdowns ‘worked’. Prof John Edmunds, Professor … read more
A study published in Nature Neuroscience suggests that psychedelics promote plasticity by directly binding to BDNF receptor TrkB. Dr … read more
Results of a trial looking at the use of ropinirole hydrochloride for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have been published in Cell … read more
An observational study published in Sleep Health looks at the association between sleep duration and sleeping pill use, with mortality … read more
In a statement published on the Centre for AI Safety website, AI experts and public figures express their concern about … read more
In an interview for BBC Radio 4’s podcast ‘Fever: The Hunt for Covid’s Origin’, the former head of China’s Centre … read more
A study published in PNAS looks at dietary flavanols and hippocampal-dependent memory in older adults. This Roundup accompanied an SMC … read more
A tweet from Neuralink states that they have received the FDA’s approval to launch their first-in-human clinical study. Prof … read more
The Chancellor has announced a package of measures to boost UK life sciences. Dr Flic Gabbay, President of the … read more
The review by Lord O’Shaughnessy has been published as part of the package of announcements on life sciences growth in … read more
A meta-analysis published in the European Heart Journal looks at vegetarian and vegan diets and blood lipids. Dr Duane … read more
Results from a trial looking at ketamine versus ECT for nonpsychotic treatment-resistant major depression have been published in the NEJM. … read more
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry looks at cannabis use disorder and subsequent risk of depression and bipolar disorder. … read more
The Fifty-Fourth Report of Session 2022–23’ on Alcohol treatment services has been published by the House of Commons Committee of … read more
A study published in Nature Sustainability attempts to quantify the human cost of global warming. This Roundup accompanied an SMC … read more
A conference abstract (not a published paper) presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) looks at cardiovascular risk in patients … read more
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, Suella Braverman, announced the licensing ban with immediate effect. Dr Ernie … read more
