Resources for Journalists

‘Mini hearts’ show COVID-19 virus directly infects heart tissue

Publicly released: Tue 3 Mar 2026 at 1511 AEDT, 1711 NZDT

Biofabrication

Researchers from the Centenary Institute and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have developed a human heart cell model demonstrating that the virus that causes COVID‑19 (SARS-CoV-2) can Read more about ‘Mini hearts’ show COVID-19 virus directly infects heart tissue

Breast cancer rates remain high worldwide, but cases in Australia have dropped since 1990

Publicly released: Tue 3 Mar 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Oncology

the analysis does not analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or recent conflicts on the disease burden. ... 4)51. 7 (48. 5 to 54. 2)22. 2 (19. 7 to 24. Read more about Breast cancer rates remain high worldwide, but cases in Australia have dropped since 1990

Diabetes and liver medications failed to treat long COVID

Publicly released: Tue 3 Mar 2026 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

The findings underscore the continued lack of proven treatments to alleviate symptoms of long COVID. ... common diabetes drug shown to reduce the incidence of long COVID by 41%, or UDCA, a liver Read more about Diabetes and liver medications failed to treat long COVID

EXPERT REACTION: Online gambling changes in Canada linked to a huge increase in people seeking gambling help

Publicly released: Mon 2 Mar 2026 at 1601 AEDT, 1801 NZDT

Canadian Medical Association Journal

Online gambling has recently undergone enormous  expansion in Canada and the United States. ... January 2015 to February 2020), the COVID-19 pandemic period (March  2020 to March 2022), and after Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Online gambling changes in Canada linked to a huge increase in people seeking gambling help

Australians are rethinking inner city living

Publicly released: Thu 26 Feb 2026 at 1048 AEDT, 1248 NZDT

Regional Studies

In a post-COVID world, CBD living is losing appeal with Australian residents opting for lower-density housing, according to new research from Adelaide University. ... The study sought to test whether the Read more about Australians are rethinking inner city living

More financial support needed for mental health patients

Publicly released: Mon 23 Feb 2026 at 1227 AEDT, 1427 NZDT

Health Economics Review

Previous analysis shows that GP bulk billing rates have declined from 89% to 77% since the COVID-19 pandemic, and mental health specialists bulk bill only 26% of the time," he ... The study also found Read more about More financial support needed for mental health patients

New Zealanders may be overestimating food inflation

Publicly released: Tue 17 Feb 2026 at 0902 AEDT, 1102 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

New research has found that years of rapidly increasing food prices following the COVID-19 pandemic may have distorted how New Zealanders perceive the cost of food. ... The researchers say this Read more about New Zealanders may be overestimating food inflation

Too much school pressure could have lasting impacts on a teen's mental health

Publicly released: Fri 13 Feb 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health

There was also a link between academic pressure and an increased likelihood of self-harm, the researchers say. ... or COVID-19, meaning more up to date data are still needed to understand how current Read more about Too much school pressure could have lasting impacts on a teen's mental health

Scientific sleuthing solves vaccine side-effect

Publicly released: Thu 12 Feb 2026 at 1055 AEDT, 1255 NZDT

The New England Journal of Medicine

New research led by Flinders University and international experts has finally uncovered how a rare blood clotting condition can occur after some COVID-19 adenovirus-based vaccines or after a natural Read more about Scientific sleuthing solves vaccine side-effect

Obesity linked to higher risk of severe and fatal infectious diseases

Publicly released: Tue 10 Feb 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

Obesity significantly increases the risk of hospitalisation and death from most infectious diseases, including flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections and Read more about Obesity linked to higher risk of severe and fatal infectious diseases

New mums still falling through the cracks – and paying with their hearts

Publicly released: Tue 10 Feb 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

Ms McKerrell, who participated in the BP2 study, said she faced the same barriers identified by the research: fatigue, being the sole carer for her daughter and COVID-19 restrictions that ... Between 2019 Read more about New mums still falling through the cracks – and paying with their hearts

Warning on hidden climate change disease threat

Publicly released: Mon 9 Feb 2026 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Leptospirosis is a notifiable disease. Symptoms in humans resemble influenza and COVID-19, so many cases remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. ... We need more comprehensive monitoring, greater public Read more about Warning on hidden climate change disease threat

The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are still offering high protection against severe complications

Publicly released: Wed 4 Feb 2026 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The 2024-2025 updated versions of the Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines are still offering high protection against requiring mechanical ventilation or dying from the virus, according to Read more about The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are still offering high protection against severe complications

RNA molecule discovery could lead to potential new breast cancer therapy

Publicly released: Wed 4 Feb 2026 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Molecular Cancer

The researchers are grateful for the funding support that has advanced this work, including from the National Breast Cancer Foundation of Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Council Read more about RNA molecule discovery could lead to potential new breast cancer therapy

Altered brain connection found in people with ME/CFS and Long COVID

Publicly released: Wed 28 Jan 2026 at 1145 AEDT, 1345 NZDT

The Journal of Translational Medicine

The research supported what many people with ME/CFS and Long COVID experience which was that cognitive effort was not just tiring but could have real neurological impacts, and adequate rest Read more about Altered brain connection found in people with ME/CFS and Long COVID

Cracking the code of Long COVID

Publicly released: Wed 28 Jan 2026 at 0955 AEDT, 1155 NZDT

The team was among the first in the world to describe long-term immune dysregulation following SARS-CoV-2 infection, revealing that abnormalities can continue well beyond six months for some Read more about Cracking the code of Long COVID

If you're addicted to binge watching TV, you may be more likely to be lonely

Publicly released: Thu 22 Jan 2026 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Of the participants, 334 (61%) met the criteria for binge-watching addiction, and the researchers found that the more these addicts binged TV, the lonelier they felt. ... COVID-19 drove many people Read more about If you're addicted to binge watching TV, you may be more likely to be lonely

How have US abortion bans impacted a woman's risk of pregnancy-related death?

Publicly released: Thu 22 Jan 2026 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Over the time period, the researchers say there were just under 15 million births and about 3. ... 6 million abortions. After removing non-specific and COVID-19 related deaths, the researchers say there Read more about How have US abortion bans impacted a woman's risk of pregnancy-related death?

At-home blood oxygen monitoring devices less accurate on people with darker skin

Publicly released: Thu 15 Jan 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

To address this, researchers set out to test the measurement and diagnostic accuracy of five fingertip pulse oximeters provided by the NHS for use at home in the NHS England COVID ... And the authors Read more about At-home blood oxygen monitoring devices less accurate on people with darker skin

How did attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines change over time?

Publicly released: Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

1 million people in England between January 2021 and March 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, published in The Lancet. ... and concluded, “whereas these data reflect the extraordinary setting of SARS-CoV Read more about How did attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines change over time?