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. 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

    GPs and patients turning to AI but evidence lags behindPrimary care is under strain worldwide, from workforce shortages to clinician burnout and rising healthcare complexity, all worsened by the COVID 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

  2. 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

    Researchers from Griffith University’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Disease (NCNED) used advanced MRI techniques to ascertain the neurological implications of COVID-19 compared Read more about COVID-19 leaves a lasting mark on the human brain

    Australia; QLDGriffith University

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

    about unwanted sexual experiences from a representative sample of 7,374 schoolchildren aged 12 to 19 years from the Youth19 survey. ... But the persistence of sexual violence is concerning. It is vital to Read more about 1 in 8 NZ teens have had unwanted sexual experiences

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland

  6. 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

  7. 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

    In an opinion piece, the researchers discuss how post-acute infection syndromes - chronic illnesses following an infection - have been described after various epidemics, including influenza, Read more about COVID-19 may be new, but long COVID follows a long-term historical trend

    InternationalYale University, USA

  8. 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

  9. 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. ... Researchers point to several drivers behind this trend, including a spike in mental health issues among young Read more about Long-term antidepressant use surges in Australia

    Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia

  10. 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) ...

  11. 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

    We are behind international standards on regulating medical tests used at home or in hospitals, like pregnancy tests, RATs for COVID, and blood glucose meters, write experts in a NZMJ Viewpoint 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

  12. 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

    Richard Taylor, a professor of physics, psychology, and art at the University of Oregon. ... The Covid-19 pandemic saw an increase in stress levels across society and fractals have been shown to be an Read more about A child could have painted that! Pollock's painting style closer to kids' than adults'

    InternationalUniversity of Oregon, USA

  13. EXPERT REACTION: mRNA flu vaccine is up to 34.5% more effective than current flu vaccines

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    The study included over 18,000 people, half of whom were given the mRNA vaccine and half of whom were given a conventional flu vaccine. ... There were more side effects in the mRNA vaccine group, although Read more about EXPERT REACTION: mRNA flu vaccine is up to 34.5% more effective than current flu vaccines

    Australia; International; QLDEast-West Medical Research Institute, USA, Pfizer, Baylor College of Medicine, USA

  14. Eating disorders can have long lasting health impacts

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Nov 2025 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    BMJ Medicine

    After five years, the risks of renal failure and liver disease were still 2. ... UK rates of eating disorders have risen significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, note the researchers. Read more about Eating disorders can have long lasting health impacts

    InternationalUniversity of Manchester, University of Keele, UK, McMaster University, Canada

  15. Social media use soars as kids drop sport, reading and the arts

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Nov 2025 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    JAMA Open Network

    In striking new statistics, experts warn of social media’s growing grip on young people, with use among children and teens soaring by more than 200% since before COVID and showing ... Because these Read more about Social media use soars as kids drop sport, reading and the arts

    Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; International; SAUniversity of South Australia

  16. Molecule that could cause COVID clotting key to new treatments

    Publicly released: Tue 18 Nov 2025 at 1022 AEDT, 1222 NZDT

    Journal of Clinical Investigation

    strains of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for causing COVID). ... and our study found that during COVID infection, P-selectin also captures SARS-CoV-2 virus in the blood, holding the virus in blood Read more about Molecule that could cause COVID clotting key to new treatments

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

  17. Online parent help program leads to less anxious, happier children

    Publicly released: Mon 17 Nov 2025 at 1554 AEDT, 1754 NZDT

    Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

    Parents involved in the study reported significant improvements in their child’s behaviour, their ability to manage emotions and relationships with their peers. ... The rising cost of living combined Read more about Online parent help program leads to less anxious, happier children

    Australia; VIC; QLD; SAThe University of Adelaide | The University of Queensland ...

  18. Six key factors divided opinion on health issues during COVID

    Publicly released: Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    Science Advances

    Political ideology and partisanship is the biggest of six interlinked factors that caused divided health-related opinions and behaviours during the COVID pandemic, finds a systematic review of Read more about Six key factors divided opinion on health issues during COVID

    New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Cádiz (Spain)

  19. Leading through crises: Key lessons from school principals

    Publicly released: Wed 12 Nov 2025 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

    School Leadership and Management

    From navigating the COVID-19 pandemic alongside cyclones, bushfires, and other natural disasters, school principals are often the unsung heroes leading communities through crises. ... While Australian Read more about Leading through crises: Key lessons from school principals

    Australia; New Zealand; PacificEdith Cowan University

  20. How did Covid tracing tech fare in NZ?

    Publicly released: Fri 7 Nov 2025 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    Public health and tech experts have looked back at how well three digital contact tracing technologies worked in NZ during the Covid-19 pandemic, finding online self-service surveys to be Read more about How did Covid tracing tech fare in NZ?

    New ZealandKoi Tū: the Centre for Informed Futures | University of Canterbury ...

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