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.
Scientists react to a clinical trial of melanoma mRNA vaccines. Prof Lawrence Young, Professor of Molecular Oncology, University of … read more
Scientists react to a deepfakes and AI survey published by BCS. Dr Andrew Rogoyski, Director of Innovation and Partnerships … read more
A study published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology looks at food additive emulsifiers and risk of type 2 diabetes. … read more
Scientists react to questions raised about obesity drugs and fertility. Prof Ying Cheong, Professor of Reproductive Medicine and Honorary … read more
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine looks at the sex of physicians and risk of patient death. Dr Gavin … read more
Scientists react to the European State of Climate 2023 report. Dr Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor, Smith School of Enterprise … read more
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine looks at the effect of time-restricted eating on body weight. Dr Jacopo Scotucci, … read more
A study published in The BMJ looks at antipsychotic use in people with dementia. Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of … read more
Scientists react to claims that Dubai flooding was caused by cloud seeding. Dr Edward Gryspeerdt, Imperial’s Grantham Institute for … read more
A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood looks at internet use, sleep, exercise and school absences. Prof Pete … read more
Scientists react to MPs debating the tobacco and vapes bill. Prof Stephen Holgate, MRC Clinical Professor Of Immunopharmacology & Honorary … read more
A study published in Nature Medicine looks at Prasinezumab and motor progression in Parkinson’s disease. The following comments were provided … read more
A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at adolescent smart phone use and sexual orientation and gender expression. Dr Emma … read more
A study published in The BMJ looks at a clinical trial of esketamine for mothers with prenatal depression symptoms. Dr Camilla … read more
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry looks at adolescent media use and psychosis during adulthood. Dr Simona Skripkauskaite, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher … read more
Scientists react to the Cass Review final report. Dr Roman Raczka, President-Elect of the British Psychological Society, said: “We … read more
Several reviews have been published looking at puberty blockers and gender dysphoria in children. Dr Gavin Stewart, Senior Lecturer … read more
Scientists react to the death of Professor Peter Higgs. Professor Frank Close OBE FRS, Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics … read more
A study published in Nature Immunology looks at long Covid subtypes and inflammatory signs. Prof Eleanor Riley, Professor Emerita, Immunology and … read more
A study published in the Lancet looks at semaglutide and obesity-related heart failure. Prof Kazem Rahimi, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine … read more
