Science Media Centre

The government announced details of the UK-US pharmaceutical partnership. read more

As part of the BBC’s Charter Review, there was a public consultation (December 2025 – March 2026).  Much of the scope of the consultation was beyond the expertise and remit of the SMC but there were several sections and questions relevant to the SMC including accuracy, misinformation and public trust.  The SMC submitted a short response to the consultation focussing on public trust, standards and accuracy, use of experts, and prioritising science content.

Experts comment on an interim report commissioned by Health Secretary Wes Streeting into the rise in ADHD and Autism, as … read more

A study published in Gut Microbes looks at dietary and gut-derived metabolites predicting early cognitive decline.    Prof Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy … read more

Experts comment on draft NICE guidance that reccomends semaglutide to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.   Prof … read more

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine looks at the antidepressant fluvoxamine and metformin for fatigue in patients with Long … read more

A risk assessment published in Carcinogenesis looks at the carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes.    Prof Peter Hajek, Professor of Clinical Psychology and … read more

Three studies published in Nature Genetics look at the identification of a common recessive neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD).    Cornelius Gross, Head of … read more

A study published in Cell Metabolism looks at a food additive (maltol) and bone fragility in mice.   Prof Tom Sanders, Professor … read more

A systematic review published in Addiction looks at the use of electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation.    Prof Peter Shields, Emeritus Professor … read more

Scientists comment on Department for Education guidance on screentime for children under 5.    Dr Kathryn Hesketh, Principal Research Fellow … read more

A study published in PLOS Biology looks at gestational exposure to microplastics in mice.    Dr. Ovokeroye Abafe, Assistant Professor in Environmental … read more

Scientists comment on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announcing a new policy on the female category in Olympic sport.    … read more

Scientists comment on Meta and Google being found liable in the social media addiction trial.    Dr Thomas Lancaster from … read more

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry looks at inhaled mebufotenin for the symptoms of treatment resistant depression.    From our colleagues at … read more

A research letter published in Environmental Research Letters looks at benzene in consumer-grade natural gas.    Prof Julian Peto, Professor of Epidemiology, … read more

An observational study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health looks at home cooking and dementia risk.   Dr Susan … read more

Scientists comment on the latest Meningitis case numbers and a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) technical briefing.   Prof Andrew … read more

A study published in Human Reproduction looks at ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and fertility and embryonic development.    Prof Jules Griffin, Director … 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