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 comment on estimates from Macmillan and reported exclusively by PA on the number of men living with prostate cancer … read more
Scientist comment on El Nino and its impact on UK climate following a blog from the Met Office. Dr Amulya … read more
An opinion piece and literature review published in The Lancet looks at the risk of amyloid beta transmission through transfused blood products. … read more
A review published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood looks at the impact of vaping on children. Dr … read more
Scientists comment on phase 3 results from the INTerpath-001 trial looking at an mRNA vaccine for melanoma. Sam Barrell, … read more
Scientists comment on the Channel 4 TV show ‘The Great ADHD Myth?’ Prof Katya Rubia, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, … read more
A cohort published in the Lancet Public Health looks at London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and lung function in children. … read more
Scientists comment on a Salmonella outbreak in the UK announced in a report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). … read more
Scientists comment on a train derailment in Essex and a possible link to extreme heat. Dr Frederic Cegla, Reader … read more
Scientists comment on a train derailment in Sussex and a possible link to extreme heat. Peter Dearman FREng, a … read more
Scientists comment on a large grass fire that has spread to houses in Stourbridge. Dr Theodore Keeping, Researcher in … read more
A study published in Human Reproduction looks at the effect of an e-cigarette flavorant on human embryonic stem cells. Prof Winston … read more
Scientists comment on the current drought situation and fifth heatwave in the UK. Prof Hannah Cloke OBE, Regius Professor … read more
A study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity looks at the discontinuation of statins for cardiovascular disease prevention in adults aged … read more
Scientists respond to reports of comments made by President Trump about vaccines, MMR and autism when speaking about an Executive … read more
Scientists comment on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorising the orforglipron obesity pill. Dr Marie Spreckley, … read more
A study published in Science looks at generative design of bacteriophages using genome language models. Dr Simon Clarke, Associate Professor in … read more
A study published in Science looks at doubling of Siberian methane emissions. Prof Neil Ross, Professor of Polar Science and Environmental Geophysics … read more
Scientists comment on a report in the times on the number of deaths associated with obesity drugs. Prof Barbara … read more
A study published in Frontiers in Plant Science looks at growing myoglobin protein fibres in plant chloroplasts. Prof Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, … read more
