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 Copernicus data that shows 2025 was the third hottest year on record. Prof Richard Allan, climate … read more
A study published in eClinical Medicine looks at improvements in sleep, physical activity and diet being linked to a longer life. … read more
A study published in The Lancet looks at small changes in physical activity and mortality risk. Dr Richard Godfrey, Senior Lecturer … read more
A study published in Addiction looks at risk thresholds for cannabis use. Dr Marta Di Forti, MRC Senior Clinical Fellow, Institute … read more
Scientists comment on discussions around AI generated sexualised deepfakes (‘AI nudification’). Dr Junade Ali, cyber security and digital forensics … read more
A study published in npj Dementia looks at apolipoprotein E genetic variants of Alzheimer’s disease. Prof Anneke Lucassen, Professor of Genomic … read more
An unpublished conference abstract and preprint from OVO labs claims to have rejuvenated the human egg. Prof Robin Lovell-Badge … read more
Scientists comment on Storm Goretti. Prof Christopher White, Professor in Climate Extremes and Resilience, University of Strathclyde, said: “The … read more
A systematic review published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews looks at exercise and therapy for the treatment of depression. … read more
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the BMJ looks at weight regain after stopping obesity drugs. Prof Jason … read more
A study published in The BMJ looks at food additive preservatives and cancer risk. Comments from the Science Media Centre Ireland: … read more
Scientists comment on a canal sinkhole at a canal in Shropshire. Dr Michael Branney, Emeritus Professor of Volcanology, University … read more
A report published in the European Heart Journal looks at nicotine and the cardiovascular system. Dr Jasmine Khouja, Lecturer in Psychology … read more
A study published in Neurology looks at the association between high fat cheese and dementia risk. Prof Eef Hogervorst, Professor of … read more
A study published in Nature looks at the prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease pathology in the community. Prof Roslyn Bill, Professor of … read more
A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at the Planetary Health Diet and body fat in foetuses. Prof Tom Sanders, … read more
Scientists comment on UKRI budget allocations through to 2029/2030. Professor Andrew Morris CBE PMedSci, President of the Academy of … read more
A study published in the Lancet Public Health looks at oral nicotine pouch use in Great Britain. Prof Peter Hajek, Professor … read more
A systematic review published in Annals of Internal Medicine looks at saturated fat intake and cardiovascular events. Prof Nita Forouhi, … read more
A study published in the Critical Reviews in Food Science & Nutrition looks at the risks and benefits of vegan diets in … read more
