Resources for Journalists

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, that has not been previously identified in humans. See below for a collection of resources to help you cover this issue (Please note: additional resources are available to journalists who are logged in).

The AusSMC also issues a daily COVID-19 update for registered journalists (click here to view an example). If you would like to receive this email, please go to your profile on MyScimex and select yes beside "Receive COVID-19 Updates?". The email update and this resources page are supported by the Google News Initiative.

Latest COVID-19 news, research, expert reactions and briefings

Show/Hide newsfeed filter Filter by
Type
News for

Choose a location of interest

  1. 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

    places high demands on the brain’s executive function and inhibitory control,” Ms Inderyas said. ... The research was funded by ME Research UK and the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation. Read more about Altered brain connection found in people with ME/CFS and Long COVID

    Australia; QLDGriffith University

  2. Cracking the code of Long COVID

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

    They host and support the state’s two public Long COVID (PASC) clinics at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) and the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). ... By identifying the pathways that matter most, we can Read more about Cracking the code of Long COVID

    Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) ...

  3. 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

    The survey was designed to assess addictive behaviour, loneliness and participants' motives for binge-watching. ... Of the participants, 334 (61%) met the criteria for binge-watching addiction, and the Read more about If you're addicted to binge watching TV, you may be more likely to be lonely

    InternationalHuangshan University, China

  4. 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?

    InternationalUniversity of Maryland, USA

  5. 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

    And the authors acknowledge that the study was conducted in critically ill patients, which may limit the generalisability of the findings. ... They add: “Healthcare systems should develop guidance to Read more about At-home blood oxygen monitoring devices less accurate on people with darker skin

    InternationalUniversity of Plymouth (UK) - research paper, University of Colorado (USA) - editorial

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

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

    The Lancet

    London and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, UK. ... Our study suggests that as the vaccine was rolled out, public confidence increased and the Read more about How did attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines change over time?

    InternationalImperial College London, UK

  7. Flu and whooping cough vaccines in pregnancy help keep babies out of hospital

    Publicly released: Fri 9 Jan 2026 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    The team used health records to identify 53,448 mothers who received the Tdap combined vaccine (for whooping cough / diphtheria / tetanus) during pregnancy, and 5,347 who received a flu shot Read more about Flu and whooping cough vaccines in pregnancy help keep babies out of hospital

    InternationalUniversity of Milano-Bicocca Mila, Italy

  8. Hidden heartache of losing an animal companion

    Publicly released: Wed 7 Jan 2026 at 1549 AEDT, 1749 NZDT

    Death Studies

    and in some cases, more painful than the loss of a human family member. ... Published in the journal Death Studies, the research focused on experiences of pet loss during and after the pandemic. Read more about Hidden heartache of losing an animal companion

    Australia; SAFlinders University | Loughborough University

  9. AI in primary care: experts warn of safety risks as tech outpaces regulation

    Publicly released: Wed 17 Dec 2025 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet Primary Care

    For patients, symptom checkers and health apps promise convenience and personalised care, but their accuracy often varies, and many lack the capability for independent evaluation. ... The researchers urge Read more about AI in primary care: experts warn of safety risks as tech outpaces regulation

    Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney | The University of New South Wales

  10. COVID-19 leaves a lasting mark on the human brain

    Publicly released: Tue 16 Dec 2025 at 0931 AEDT, 1131 NZDT

    Brain, Behavior, and Immunity - Health

    NCNED Director, Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, said: “The NCNED brings together a critical mass of talented researchers and clinicians committed to improving the lives of the patients. Read more about COVID-19 leaves a lasting mark on the human brain

    Australia; QLDGriffith University

  11. Vaccination before and during pregnancy reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes

    Publicly released: Tue 16 Dec 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA

    The team compared vaccination status among nearly 20,000 Canadian women who had COVID-19 during pregnancy in the Delta and Omicron eras - looking at whether they were hospitalised, admitted to Read more about Vaccination before and during pregnancy reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes

    InternationalUniversity of British Columbia, Canada

  12. Pop songs have become more negative since the 70s, except during stressful times

    Publicly released: Fri 12 Dec 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Scientific Reports

    The team also looked at major events, and found the September 11 attacks in 2001 and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with lyrics becoming more complex and ... major stressful events Read more about Pop songs have become more negative since the 70s, except during stressful times

    InternationalUniversity of Vienna, Austria

  13. 1 in 8 NZ teens have had unwanted sexual experiences

    Publicly released: Thu 11 Dec 2025 at 0101 AEDT, 0301 NZDT

    Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

    For nonbinary and transgender students, the figure was 31. 9 percent in 2019, compared with 18. ... The research was funded partly by MEDSAC (Medical Sexual Assault Clinicians Aotearoa) to inform sexual Read more about 1 in 8 NZ teens have had unwanted sexual experiences

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland

  14. EXPERT REACTION: Exposure to commonly-used BPA replacements could be linked with early childhood behaviour

    Publicly released: Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 1332 AEDT, 1532 NZDT

    The Lancet Planetary Health

    development. They add that higher urine concentration implies the chemical is being excreted and therefore may not be causing an effect within the body. ... further research is needed to confirm these Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Exposure to commonly-used BPA replacements could be linked with early childhood behaviour

    Australia; International; VICInserm, CNRS, Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), France

  15. COVID-19 may be new, but long COVID follows a long-term historical trend

    Publicly released: Fri 5 Dec 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Trends in Immunology

    For many people, these symptoms are debilitating, note the authors, and the mechanisms that trigger them remain unclear. ... By situating long COVID within the history of post-infectious illnesses, we aim Read more about COVID-19 may be new, but long COVID follows a long-term historical trend

    InternationalYale University, USA

  16. Covid vaccines safe four years on, first long-term study suggests

    Publicly released: Fri 5 Dec 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    Vaccinated people had a 75% lower risk of dying from severe Covid, and they also had a 25% lower risk of death from any cause. ... The authors said that this is the first study to look at long-term risk Read more about Covid vaccines safe four years on, first long-term study suggests

    InternationalEPI-PHARE Scientific Interest Group in Epidemiology of Health Products from the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products and the French National Health Insurance

  17. Long-term antidepressant use surges in Australia

    Publicly released: Wed 3 Dec 2025 at 1243 AEDT, 1443 NZDT

    Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety

    Libby Roughead, Director of the Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre. ... The study, ‘Increasing Prevalence or Long-Term Antidepressant Use in Australia,’ is published in Read more about Long-term antidepressant use surges in Australia

    Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia

  18. What's driving the post-COVID-19 surge in whooping cough?

    Publicly released: Tue 2 Dec 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    Whooping cough cases have spiked dramatically in Australia and globally following the COVID-19 pandemic, and Australian and international researchers say both increasing vaccination coverage and Read more about What's driving the post-COVID-19 surge in whooping cough?

    Australia; International; NSWNational Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) ...

  19. Medical testing kits should be regulated in Aotearoa, experts say

    Publicly released: Fri 21 Nov 2025 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    They say NZ's  current situation is "unsafe" and outline how the proposed Medical Products Bill could include a regulatory process. ... These POCT devices are not regulated in New Zealand and faulty Read more about Medical testing kits should be regulated in Aotearoa, experts say

    New ZealandPathology Services Te Tai Tokerau Northern Region, Whangarei Hospital, LabPlus, NZ Point of Care Testing Network, NZ Point of Care Testing Advisory Group

  20. A child could have painted that! Pollock's painting style closer to kids' than adults'

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

    Frontiers in Physics

    Adults and children were asked to recreate a famous Jackson Pollock painting, and researchers analyzed the characteristics. ... Richard Taylor, a professor of physics, psychology, and art at the Read more about A child could have painted that! Pollock's painting style closer to kids' than adults'

    InternationalUniversity of Oregon, USA

Show Results

  1. 10
  2. 20
  3. 50