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.
NHS England have published the latest figure for reported deaths in hospitals in England from COVID-19 – an additional 108 … read more
Comments in response to journalists question abut the UK track and trace system. Professor Eivor Oborn, an expert on … read more
There have been reports regarding the potency of COVID-19 in Italy, deriving from comments made by Prof Alberto Zangrillo. … read more
The government has announced that from Monday, some vulnerable people currently shielding from COVID-19 will be allowed to go outside. … read more
NHS England have published* the latest figure for reported deaths in hospitals in England from COVID-19 – an additional 146 … read more
The government has published* the first set of minutes from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) meetings regarding the … read more
In a speech*, the US President Donald Trump said that the US will be terminating its relationship with the World … read more
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced that they are asking providers of COVID-19 antibody tests using … read more
An Ipsos Mori survey, in conjunction with Kings College London, has looked at public attitudes to and actions during lockdown. … read more
NHS England have published the latest figure for reported deaths in hospitals in England from COVID-19 – an additional 149 … read more
A review, published in JAMA Neurology, looked at neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19 disease and other coronaviruses. Prof David Werring, Professor … read more
A report, posted by University College London (UCL), looked at OVID-19 and social factors including compliance with government measures, and … read more
A study, published in BMJ Global Health, looks at face masks use in the home. Dr Antonio Lazzarino, Department … read more
NHS England have published the latest figure for reported deaths in hospitals in England from COVID-19 – an additional 185 … read more
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published the data from their Infection Survey pilot study, looking at COVID-19 in … read more
A perspective piece, published in Science, discusses reducing transmission of SARS-Cov-2. Prof Jonathan Reid, Professor of Physical Chemistry at … read more
Research, published in JAMA Network Open, reports on recurrent positive test results in COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital in China. … read more
A study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), reports on hospitalisation and mortality among black and white … read more
A report, published in Thorax, has looked at the spread of COVID-19 amongst the passengers and crew of a cruise ship. … read more
The government has announced today that the NHS Test and Trace service will launch tomorrow on Thursday 28th May. … read more
