Resources for Journalists

A mother and child's depression risk is linked, but in which direction?

Publicly released: Tue 26 Aug 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

They say they found a link between child depression and subsequent maternal depression, but not the other way around. ... The researchers say these findings should be tested over a time period that does Read more about A mother and child's depression risk is linked, but in which direction?

Long COVID patients experience major losses of function and quality of life

Publicly released: Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Australian Journal of Primary Health

researchers. The team recruited 121 adults who had COVID-19 in 2020 up to mid 2022 and fit the World Health Organization's description of a long COVID patient in late ... Comparing the cohort to the Read more about Long COVID patients experience major losses of function and quality of life

Bushfires can spike local death rates but it's not just the heat of the fire to blame

Publicly released: Fri 22 Aug 2025 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Climate

They trained a model on demographic data from Maui County from August 2018 to July 2023 and weighted the analysis to exclude deaths caused by Covid-19. ... We think this might reflect a temporary drop in Read more about Bushfires can spike local death rates but it's not just the heat of the fire to blame

Less than half of depressed teens in the US are getting treatment

Publicly released: Thu 21 Aug 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Mental Health

The prevalence of adolescent depression has increased following the COVID-19 pandemic and is often under-treated. ... S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Of the 11,969 respondents, 2,283 (19. Read more about Less than half of depressed teens in the US are getting treatment

Before the outbreak: how the next-gen of animal vaccines will safeguard Australia

Publicly released: Mon 18 Aug 2025 at 1103 AEST, 1303 NZST

Prof. Thordarson says if the virus does arrive on our shores, it would devastate the country’s meat and dairy industries. ... This is the same mRNA technology that helped combat COVID-19. Read more about Before the outbreak: how the next-gen of animal vaccines will safeguard Australia

COVID-19 infection ages blood vessels, especially in women

Publicly released: Mon 18 Aug 2025 at 0905 AEST, 1105 NZST

European Heart Journal

The Covid-19 virus acts on specific receptors in the body, called the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, that are present on the lining of the blood vessels. ... In an accompanying editorial [2] Read more about COVID-19 infection ages blood vessels, especially in women

Parents were more likely to cheat on their partners during the pandemic than those without kids

Publicly released: Thu 14 Aug 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

Parents may have been more likely to cheat than non-parents during the COVID-19 pandemicNew study explores infidelity among heterosexual U. ... S. adults who were in committed, heterosexual relationships Read more about Parents were more likely to cheat on their partners during the pandemic than those without kids

Long COVID might harm your work and your wallet

Publicly released: Wed 13 Aug 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The team say these people who self-reported having Long COVID also reported worse work impairment, having missed more work, and were in more financial distress than people who never had ... Vaccinations Read more about Long COVID might harm your work and your wallet

Revealed: new vaccine target to block malaria transmission

Publicly released: Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 0630 AEST, 0830 NZST

Science

The success of the malaria vaccine program illustrates the versatility of mRNA technology, which has many applications beyond the COVID vaccines. ... Prof Tham said the collaboration between WEHI and MIPS Read more about Revealed: new vaccine target to block malaria transmission

New treatment on trial for panic disorder

Publicly released: Tue 5 Aug 2025 at 1144 AEST, 1344 NZST

24-year-old Adelaide student teacher, Toby Whittle, endured the distress of repeated panic attacks during Covid. ... For more information and to check if you’re eligible to participate in the trial, Read more about New treatment on trial for panic disorder

Developing a method to optimise delivery of mRNA to cells

Publicly released: Mon 4 Aug 2025 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Nature Nanotechnology

Co-lead author and MIPS PhD candidate Moore Zhe Chen said that with mRNA medicines, the delivery method is critical. ... In 2021 the world was introduced to the first mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccines to Read more about Developing a method to optimise delivery of mRNA to cells

EXPERT REACTION: An mRNA vaccine for HIV could be effective and affordable

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Science Translational Medicine

Scientists have used mRNA technology to engineer new vaccines for HIV, which can produce potent immune responses to the virus in animals and human volunteers in Phase 1 clinical trials, according Read more about EXPERT REACTION: An mRNA vaccine for HIV could be effective and affordable

COVID-19 and the flu could increase the risk of dormant cancer spreading

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature

An increase in cancer death rates in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted James DeGregori and colleagues to study the effects of influenza virus and ... There was an association between Read more about COVID-19 and the flu could increase the risk of dormant cancer spreading

Hate speech and psychiatric disorder communities share similar speech patterns on Reddit

Publicly released: Wed 30 Jul 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Digital Health

The team used AI to analyse posts relevant to hate speech, misinformation, and psychiatric disorders, including those from r/ADHD, r/NoNewNormal (dedicated to COVID-19 misinformation), and r/incels Read more about Hate speech and psychiatric disorder communities share similar speech patterns on Reddit

Spotlight on technology to protect older Australians from respiratory infections

Publicly released: Tue 29 Jul 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

Outbreaks of viruses such as COVID-19 are absolutely devasting for older people, significantly increasing the risks of hospitalisation and death,” says Professor Rogers. ... Our study aimed to explore Read more about Spotlight on technology to protect older Australians from respiratory infections

COVID-19 vaccinations likely averted 2.5 million deaths between 2020 and 2024

Publicly released: Sat 26 Jul 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Health Forum

Between 2020 and 2024, international researchers estimate that COVID-19 vaccinations averted 2. ... Global Estimates of Lives and Life-Years Saved by COVID-19 Vaccination During 2020-2024About The Study: Read more about COVID-19 vaccinations likely averted 2.5 million deaths between 2020 and 2024

Scuba diving industry benefits locals and marine life

Publicly released: Sat 26 Jul 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Cell Reports Sustainability

The team says this revenue helps local economies, and supports marine conservation efforts via raising funds and increasing public awareness. ... focus on post-COVID-19 pandemic trends. Read more about Scuba diving industry benefits locals and marine life

Australian data confirm link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes

Publicly released: Wed 23 Jul 2025 at 1639 AEST, 1839 NZST

Vaccine

increase to menstrual cycles presentations in women and premenopausal people following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, validating what many people who menstruate suspected during the pandemicThe research Read more about Australian data confirm link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes

If you feel like the COVID-19 pandemic aged you, you might be right

Publicly released: Wed 23 Jul 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

Brain ageing sped up during the COVID-19 pandemic even for people who didn't have the virus, according to a UK study. ... Neuroscience: COVID pandemic linked to faster brain ageing in UK adultsRates of Read more about If you feel like the COVID-19 pandemic aged you, you might be right

Children who get their first smartphone before age 13 face higher mental health risks

Publicly released: Mon 21 Jul 2025 at 1401 AEST, 1601 NZST

Journal of Human Development and Capabilities

Our data indicate that early smartphone ownership—and the social media access it often brings—is linked with a profound shift in mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood,” says lead Read more about Children who get their first smartphone before age 13 face higher mental health risks