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.
New childhood vaccination coverage statistics have been published by UKHSA. Prof Helen Bedford, Professor of Child Public Health, Great … read more
Vaccination coverage statistics for children in the UK have been published by the UKHSA. Prof Jonathan Ball, Professor of … read more
A study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry looks at the use of stem cells to treat MS. … read more
A study published in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine looks at the analysis of long COVID research and its potential flaws. Dr … read more
A study published in Nature looks at molnupiravir-associated SARS-CoV-2 mutational signatures. Dr Chris Illingworth, Senior Lecturer (Virology), University of Glasgow, … read more
A study published in Public Health Research looks at the effect of e-cigarettes on cigarette sales and smoking prevalence. Dr Jamie … read more
A study published in Science Advances looks at suppressing negative thoughts and mental health. Luis Valero Aguayo, Professor of Psychology at … read more
A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at ultra processed food and the risk of depression. Priya Tew, Registered dietitian … read more
There have been news reports that PM Rishi Sunak will announce changes to climate policy. Prof Sir Jim McDonald … read more
A study published in PLOS Biology looks at mouse gut immune cells and dietary emulsifiers. Prof Nathalie Juge, Group Leader and … read more
The Online Safety Bill passed through the House of Lords on Tuesday 19th September read more
A review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open looks at rehabilitation interventions for Long COVID in adults. Prof … read more
A report issued by World Weather Attribution has looked at climate change attribution of the flooding disasters in Libya and … read more
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics looks at screen time and developmental performance among children aged 1-3 in Japan. … read more
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced urgent work to define and ban the American bully XL dog breed. … read more
Results of a phase 3 trial looking at MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD have been published in Nature … read more
It has been reported that France has ordered a halt to sales of the iPhone 12 due to breaches of … read more
Scientists respond to news that Eastern Libya has been hit by severe flooding following Storm Daniel. Prof Hannah Cloke, … read more
A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at blood levels of organochlorine contaminants mixtures and cardiovascular disease. Prof … read more
A review published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews looks at pharmacological and electronic cigarette interventions for smoking cessation in adults. … read more
