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

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  1. How frequently should we be updating our COVID-19 vaccines?

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    The current challenge with COVID-19 vaccines is that they were developed based on the first strain of the virus in 2020, which is quite different to what is currently circulating,” ... Whilst the Read more about How frequently should we be updating our COVID-19 vaccines?

    Australia; NSW; VICKirby Institute, UNSW Sydney|The University of New South Wales...

  2. EXPERT REACTION: One in five kids and teens struggle with disordered eating

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Pediatrics

    The proportion was further elevated among girls, as well as with increasing age and body mass index. ... These high figures are concerning from a public health perspective and highlight the need to Read more about EXPERT REACTION: One in five kids and teens struggle with disordered eating

    Australia; International; VIC; SA; WAUniversidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

  3. EXPERT REACTION: Stem cell transplant sends another HIV patient into remission

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    Medicine: Sustained HIV-1 remission after stem cell transplantationA recipient of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant to treat leukemia has shown persistent suppression of human Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Stem cell transplant sends another HIV patient into remission

    International; QLDDüsseldorf University Hospital, Germany

  4. Pets create ‘pawsitive’ change for people in aged care

    Publicly released: Mon 20 Feb 2023 at 1243 AEDT | 1443 NZDT

    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

    The great thing about pets is that they can help us feel happier and healthier. ... One of the biggest challenges has been the pandemic. Once COVID-19 hit, access to aged care facilities was extremely Read more about Pets create ‘pawsitive’ change for people in aged care

    Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia

  5. Global optogenetics experts share big developments

    Publicly released: Mon 20 Feb 2023 at 1005 AEDT | 1205 NZDT

    This meeting marks the first opportunity these experts have met in person since the outbreak of COVID-19, and much has happened rapidly in optogenetics through this period. ... This meeting is designed to Read more about Global optogenetics experts share big developments

    Australia; International; SAFlinders University

  6. The AusSMC's Lyndal Byford is this year's Unsung Hero of Science Communication!

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Feb 2023 at 1509 AEDT | 1709 NZDT

    Ms Byford has been instrumental in the accurate reporting of COVID-19 science during the pandemic, facilitating expert comment in over 80,000 news stories in Australia and overseas. ... Through her Read more about The AusSMC's Lyndal Byford is this year's Unsung Hero of Science Communication!

    AustraliaAustralian Science Communicators|Australian Science Media Centre

  7. EXPERT REACTION: How well does a prior COVID-19 infection protect you the next time around?

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Feb 2023 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet

    compiled the largest review and meta-analysis of infection-acquired COVID-19 immunity to date. ... As SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology shifts to more stable circulation patterns in the context of high levels of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: How well does a prior COVID-19 infection protect you the next time around?

    Australia; International; QLDInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, USA

  8. Possible alternative to using shark compound for vaccines

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    npj Vaccines

    Shark-derived squalene has been used in vaccine adjuvant formulations (substances that are used to increase the efficacy or potency of some vaccines) in influenza and COVID-19 vaccines and is Read more about Possible alternative to using shark compound for vaccines

    InternationalAdvanced Health Institute, USA

  9. Group therapy over Zoom could be helpful for depression and anxiety

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Feb 2023 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    disorder. The four group sessions held over Zoom were found to be effective for the 22 people participating, as measures for anxiety and depression improved following treatment. ... We used Zoom to Read more about Group therapy over Zoom could be helpful for depression and anxiety

    New ZealandUniversity of Otago|Hillmorton Hospital, NZ; Private practitioner, NZ

  10. Pfizer COVID-19 jab safe and effective in kids aged 6 months to 4 years

    Publicly released: Thu 16 Feb 2023 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    A 'gold standard' placebo-controlled medical trial of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine found three doses are safe and effective for kids aged between six months and four years. ... 2% effective Read more about Pfizer COVID-19 jab safe and effective in kids aged 6 months to 4 years

    InternationalPfizer, BioNTech, Baylor College of Medicine, USA

  11. Long COVID patients in USA more likely to be unemployed

    Publicly released: Thu 16 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    The authors say the link between long COVID and worse employment outcomes persisted when demographic differences were taken into account, and that their findings underscore the importance of Read more about Long COVID patients in USA more likely to be unemployed

    InternationalMassachusetts General Hospital, USA

  12. COVID-19 may increase diabetes risk, but vaccination could help

    Publicly released: Wed 15 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    A US study of 23,709 patients, all of whom had COVID-19 at least once, found diagnoses of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol were higher in the 90 ... More research is required to Read more about COVID-19 may increase diabetes risk, but vaccination could help

    InternationalCedars Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, USA

  13. A new tool in the arsenal against COVID-19 is being put to the test

    Publicly released: Tue 14 Feb 2023 at 1630 AEDT | 1830 NZDT

    Nature Communications

    Appearing to ‘blow up’ the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, a newly discovered class of antibodies shows potential protection against COVID-19 variants. ... A new class of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies has been Read more about A new tool in the arsenal against COVID-19 is being put to the test

    Australia; International; NSWGarvan Institute of Medical Research|Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney...

  14. Community co-design a key to targeting Indigenous diabetes

    Publicly released: Mon 13 Feb 2023 at 1607 AEDT | 1807 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    The Coorong Diabetes Collaborative project emerged from intensive engagement during COVID-19 outbreaks, when clinicians trained in Eurocentric-based medicine and the Ngarrindjeri community recognised Read more about Community co-design a key to targeting Indigenous diabetes

    Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University|The University of New South Wales

  15. Paxlovid cuts risk of severe COVID-19 in half

    Publicly released: Mon 13 Feb 2023 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

    CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

    Our study, in conjunction with previous clinical trials and observational research, supports the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir–ritonavir at reducing hospital admission from COVID-19 and all-cause Read more about Paxlovid cuts risk of severe COVID-19 in half

    InternationalPublic Health Ontario, ICES Central, University of Toronto, Toronto East Health Network, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Canada)

  16. How was happiness hit by the pandemic’s first year? Data from 10 countries

    Publicly released: Sat 11 Feb 2023 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    Daily data from Twitter was combined with AI to find that changes in the “Gross National Happiness” (GNH) measure were related to new COVID-19 infections, policy stringency, residential mobility, Read more about How was happiness hit by the pandemic’s first year? Data from 10 countries

    InternationalAUT University|Institut national de la statistique et des e´tudes e´conomiques du Grand-Duche´ du Luxembourg (Luxembourg), University of Johannesburg (South Africa)

  17. Receptor that blocks COVID-19 infection discovered

    Publicly released: Fri 10 Feb 2023 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Biology

    This protein, the leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 15 (LRRC15), is an inbuilt receptor that binds the SARS-CoV-2 virus without passing on the infection. ... The receptor sticks to the virus and Read more about Receptor that blocks COVID-19 infection discovered

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

  18. What happens when the COVID-19 virus hits our sewerage system?

    Publicly released: Fri 10 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    Nature Water

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have relied on our sewerage system to detect and monitor COVID-19 outbreaks but what actually happens to the virus once it enters the sewers? ... Australian Read more about What happens when the COVID-19 virus hits our sewerage system?

    Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|CSIRO

  19. Broad spectrum antiviral effective for early treatment of COVID-19 across dominant variants

    Publicly released: Thu 9 Feb 2023 at 1159 AEDT | 1359 NZDT

    The New England Journal of Medicine

    Treatment with an exogenous source of interferon lambda such as pegylated interferon lambda could stimulate antiviral immunity and treat early SARS-CoV-2 infection. ... In more than 20 clinical trials, Read more about Broad spectrum antiviral effective for early treatment of COVID-19 across dominant variants

    Australia; VICMonash University

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