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.
Research, published in Diabetologia, looked at blood sugar level and death in hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Wuhan. Prof Naveed … read more
The government have announced that travellers from a list of 75 countries will no longer have to self isolate for … read more
The government have released the latest estimates for the COVID-19 R value and growth rates nationally and regionally across the … read more
A study, published in PNAS, looked at BCG vaccination programmes and COVID-19 deaths in different countries. Prof Keith Neal, Emeritus … read more
A study, published in Anaesthesia, has looked at aerosol boxes (used to protect healthcare workers) and exposure to airborne particles. … read more
At a government press conference today they announced that there will be further easing of lockdown in England. Dr … read more
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest figures from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Dr Daniel Lawson, … read more
There have been reports that Hillingdon hospital has closed to emergency ambulances and emergency admissions due to some staff COVID-19 … read more
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has announced the “Eat Out To Help Out” scheme to encourage the public … read more
Public Health England (PHE) an Oxford University have conducted an evaluation of four commercially available antibody tests for COVID-19. … read more
A report, published by Nature (previously posted as a preprint in May), quantifying clinical and demographic risk factors for COVID-19 related … read more
It has been reported that the World Health Organisation (WHO) have said airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 cannot be ruled out … read more
It has been reported that the new Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) will soon take on a more prominent role in … read more
The findings, presented at the International AIDS Society conference (and currently not available as a study), report that, after treatment … read more
Research, published in the journal Brain, looked at the neurological complications of Covid-19. Dr Ben Turner, Consultant Neurologist and Honorary … read more
The Independent SAGE group have published their 7th report, this time into the elimination of the COVID virus from the … read more
Research, published in JAMA, looked at statins and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in US veterans 75 years and older. Prof Peter … read more
A study, published in Nature Communications, looked at when global temperatures might respond to mitigation efforts. Prof Grant Allen, Professor … read more
A study, published in The Lancet, looked at the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Spain. Prof Eleanor Riley, … read more
A study, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, looked at prebiotics and probiotics in treatment of depression and anxiety. Prof … read more
