Resources for Journalists

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

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'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

“The doors keep closing everywhere” - researchers look at accessing healthcare with long Covid

Publicly released: Thu 6 Nov 2025 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Covid-19 may no longer be considered a public health emergency, but long Covid presents an ongoing and complex challenge for those affected. ... A lack of action risks increasing the health and economic Read more about “The doors keep closing everywhere” - researchers look at accessing healthcare with long Covid

What puts a parent at a higher risk of burnout?

Publicly released: Thu 6 Nov 2025 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

The team gave 440 Polish parents during the COVID-19 pandemic period three questionnaires aimed to measure their burnout, their ability to identify and describe their emotions, and their attachment Read more about What puts a parent at a higher risk of burnout?

Time to act to improve the air we share indoors

Publicly released: Thu 6 Nov 2025 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Professor Morawska said every drop of water we drink from the tap and the food that we eat are both highly regulated, yet indoor air is not regulated at all. ... Illnesses such as colds, flu, and COVID-19 Read more about Time to act to improve the air we share indoors

EXPERT REACTION: Covid vaccine linked to smaller risk of heart problems in children than Covid infection

Publicly released: Wed 5 Nov 2025 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health

In the six months after Covid-19 infection, children have a higher risk of developing rare and serious heart inflammation, but the Covid vaccine does not have the same effect, according ... They say the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Covid vaccine linked to smaller risk of heart problems in children than Covid infection

Australia's public health spending is coming down to pre-pandemic levels

Publicly released: Wed 5 Nov 2025 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

which found this decrease brought spending back in line with trends from before the COVID-19 pandemic. ... from 2019–20, mainly driven by government spending on the COVID-19 response. Read more about Australia's public health spending is coming down to pre-pandemic levels

Celebrating the 26th Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

Publicly released: Mon 3 Nov 2025 at 2131 AEDT, 2331 NZDT

These outcomes have guided drug development for malaria and vaccine policies for COVID-19 and mpox. ... I congratulate and thank Professor Morawska for her incredible work over many years which influenced Read more about Celebrating the 26th Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

Serious mental illnesses linked to higher long COVID risk

Publicly released: Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

People with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or recurrent major depressive disorder face a higher risk of prolonged COVID-19 symptoms after getting the virus, according to international research. Read more about Serious mental illnesses linked to higher long COVID risk

Simple saliva test could revolutionise heart failure detection

Publicly released: Wed 29 Oct 2025 at 1346 AEDT, 1546 NZDT

Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X

This synthetic biology approach is faster and cheaper than traditional methods, and the same technique can be used to detect different diseases by simply changing the target biomarker. ... Co author Dr Read more about Simple saliva test could revolutionise heart failure detection

Cancer still the disease costing Australia the most

Publicly released: Wed 29 Oct 2025 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

3% on a per person basis. This can be attributed to modest health spending growth and a sharp rise in population following the COVID-19 pandemic. ... 5% to $89. 1 billion, mainly due to lower government Read more about Cancer still the disease costing Australia the most

How are the newest crop of COVID-19 vaccines holding up?

Publicly released: Tue 28 Oct 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Updated formulas for the Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines appear to have similar effectiveness against the variants circulating in late 2024-early 2025, according to US research. Read more about How are the newest crop of COVID-19 vaccines holding up?

EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 vaccine may help people with cancer fight their disease

Publicly released: Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

Nature

Patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer than those who did not get the ... 6 months to 37. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 vaccine may help people with cancer fight their disease

Colchicine doesn't seem to help with long COVID

Publicly released: Tue 21 Oct 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Colchicine is not an effective treatment for long COVID, according to Aussie and international research which says we need to explore other therapies. ... These findings underscore the need to explore Read more about Colchicine doesn't seem to help with long COVID

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe during early pregnancy

Publicly released: Thu 16 Oct 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The authors say their findings align with previous research and further reinforce the safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. ... First-Trimester mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination and Risk of Major Read more about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe during early pregnancy

Over a million Aussie households experiencing housing stress

Publicly released: Thu 16 Oct 2025 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

4% in June 2025. ‘After the largest monthly fall on record in employment in April 2020 during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s labour force has rebounded, with ... COVID-19 pandemic (25% Read more about Over a million Aussie households experiencing housing stress

Australia’s first national report on indoor air quality reveals urgent need for action

Publicly released: Tue 14 Oct 2025 at 1112 AEDT, 1312 NZDT

Professor Morawska, who was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people for her work on airborne transmission of COVID-19, leads the THRIVE Centre and is an Australian ... We need Read more about Australia’s first national report on indoor air quality reveals urgent need for action

COVID-19 causes changes in sperm that lead to increased anxiety in mice offspring

Publicly released: Sat 11 Oct 2025 at 2000 AEDT, 2200 NZDT

Nature Communications

A Florey study in mice has found that offspring conceived after a father has been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and developed COVID-19 symptoms have higher levels of ... While more research is needed, Read more about COVID-19 causes changes in sperm that lead to increased anxiety in mice offspring

Do air purifiers in classrooms help kids avoid a lurgy?

Publicly released: Sat 11 Oct 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

US and Korean researchers say high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers in our kids' classrooms do not actually reduce how many viruses they are exposed to. ... The researchers looked at the Read more about Do air purifiers in classrooms help kids avoid a lurgy?

Kids may be more likely to develop long COVID after a second infection

Publicly released: Wed 1 Oct 2025 at 0830 AEST, 1130 NZDT

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Researchers compared health outcomes following children’s first and second documented COVID-19 infections to isolate the risks associated with reinfection. ... They say the study’s findings reinforce Read more about Kids may be more likely to develop long COVID after a second infection

Popular type of yoga linked to higher rates of falls among older Australians

Publicly released: Tue 30 Sep 2025 at 1616 AEST, 1916 NZDT

Lancet Healthy Longevity

Carrying out the studyThe research team recruited 700 people aged 60 and over who did not currently practise yoga. ... to run the classes in person but, because the study took place during COVID-19, we Read more about Popular type of yoga linked to higher rates of falls among older Australians

Switch to 2-in-1 inhalers reduces children's asthma attacks

Publicly released: Sun 28 Sep 2025 at 1500 AEST, 1800 NZDT

The Lancet

However, the authors acknowledge some limitations of the clinical trial. It was undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which stringent public health measures and fewer circulating Read more about Switch to 2-in-1 inhalers reduces children's asthma attacks

Low-cost drug shows promise for patients with life-threatening respiratory infections

Publicly released: Sun 28 Sep 2025 at 0930 AEST, 1230 NZDT

eClinicalMedicine

A widely available and affordable drug has shown to be effective in treating seriously ill COVID-19 patients, according to a new study from The Australian National University (ANU). ... We know it’s Read more about Low-cost drug shows promise for patients with life-threatening respiratory infections

Coordinated action needed to reverse Australia’s declining childhood vaccination rates

Publicly released: Fri 26 Sep 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Childhood vaccination rates have declined each year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The power and reach of social media, the challenges raised by COVID-19 and misinformation around Read more about Coordinated action needed to reverse Australia’s declining childhood vaccination rates

Unlocking the immune system’s instruction manual

Publicly released: Wed 24 Sep 2025 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

Nature Immunology

These tissues included tonsil, adenoid and blood from multiple cohorts, allowing researchers to track Tfh cells across different tissue types and timepoints – including during COVID infection and Read more about Unlocking the immune system’s instruction manual

Pioneering the next-generation ‘nano’ drug delivery system

Publicly released: Tue 23 Sep 2025 at 0927 AEST, 1127 NZST

Advanced Materials

LNPs are best known as the delivery vehicles that enabled the Pfizer–BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, protecting fragile mRNA molecules and ensuring they reach target cells. ... Their success Read more about Pioneering the next-generation ‘nano’ drug delivery system

Over 4 million more people would be alive in 2025 if they had got adequate type 1 diabetes care

Publicly released: Fri 19 Sep 2025 at 0801 AEST, 1001 NZST

The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)

of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Vienna (15-19 Sept). ... Furthermore, incidence data from the COVID-19 period were excluded from part of the modelling to avoid bias. Read more about Over 4 million more people would be alive in 2025 if they had got adequate type 1 diabetes care

COVID made training inequities worse for female surgeons

Publicly released: Fri 19 Sep 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

Researchers found that male trainee surgeons were already doing more surgeries than females before COVID, but that this difference got even worse during the pandemic. ... Gender disparity and the impact Read more about COVID made training inequities worse for female surgeons

EXPERT REACTION: US vaccine panel meeting to consider safety of COVID-19 and other vaccines

Publicly released: Thu 18 Sep 2025 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

The draft agenda shows that they will be discussing the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine on Thursday, and the COVID-19 vaccines on Friday. ... Below, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: US vaccine panel meeting to consider safety of COVID-19 and other vaccines

Puppies not always a mental health boost

Publicly released: Thu 18 Sep 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

Many families got a puppy during the Covid pandemic to boost their mental health, but a new study suggests this shouldn't be the main reason for getting one. ... Such hopes were behind many puppy Read more about Puppies not always a mental health boost

Long COVID associated with longer and heavier periods

Publicly released: Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

The authors also found that symptoms of long COVID increased in the peri-menstrual phase (which includes the 2 days before menstruation and all subsequent days of menstruation), suggesting a Read more about Long COVID associated with longer and heavier periods

NEWS BRIEFING: Australia's 2024 sexual health checkup

Publicly released: Mon 15 Sep 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Institute and the report’s lead author, who presented the data at the conference. ... While the small increase is likely related to unusually low diagnoses during the COVID pandemic, during which there Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Australia's 2024 sexual health checkup

Dog owners say it was harder to train dogs during the pandemic

Publicly released: Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

This might be due to stress in the dogs’ home environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as fewer opportunities for social interaction during lockdowns. ... Interestingly, we found that Read more about Dog owners say it was harder to train dogs during the pandemic

Mum's breastmilk changes throughout the day, and it could impact a baby's body clock

Publicly released: Fri 5 Sep 2025 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Nutrition

The hormones and proteins involved in circadian signaling, however, may vary in breast milk concentration over 24 hours. ... as the maturing and stabilization of the infant’s circadian rhythm,” Read more about Mum's breastmilk changes throughout the day, and it could impact a baby's body clock

Nasal vaccine offers new approach to fighting COVID-19: mouse study

Publicly released: Thu 4 Sep 2025 at 1340 AEST, 1540 NZST

Frontiers in Immunology

System. Published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, the study tested a nasal vaccine made from the SARS-COV-2 spike protein combined with Pam2Cys, an immune-boosting compound developed at Read more about Nasal vaccine offers new approach to fighting COVID-19: mouse study

Protein discovery gives new hope for longer COVID protection

Publicly released: Thu 4 Sep 2025 at 0627 AEST, 0827 NZST

Nature Communications

A protein particle hidden within the SARS-CoV-2 virus could lead to longer-lasting, more protective vaccines for COVID-19. ... new vaccines and treatments that offered protection across multiple strains Read more about Protein discovery gives new hope for longer COVID protection

An antihistamine nasal spray could help ward off COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

Regular use of the antihistamine nasal spray Azelastine could reduce your chances of getting COVID-19, according to international research. ... Regularly testing the participants for COVID-19, the Read more about An antihistamine nasal spray could help ward off COVID-19

Australian-led trial shows nasal spray reduces COVID-19 risk in cancer patients

Publicly released: Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 2300 AEST, Fri 29 Aug 25 at 0100 NZST

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Even with vaccination, cancer patients remain more vulnerable to COVID-19 and its complications,” Dr Yong said. ... This is the first randomised controlled trial to show that an intranasal Read more about Australian-led trial shows nasal spray reduces COVID-19 risk in cancer patients

Citizen scientists and holidaymakers key to restoring confidence in SA’s algal bloom-hit coastline

Publicly released: Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 1534 AEST, 1734 NZST

These people are helping address the difficulty of the situation by contributing their time and energy. ... South Australians can apply to win one of the Coast is Calling vouchers, which are similar in Read more about Citizen scientists and holidaymakers key to restoring confidence in SA’s algal bloom-hit coastline

Have young people cancelled the mid-life crisis?

Publicly released: Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased social media use. ... health care services, mental health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased social media use. Read more about Have young people cancelled the mid-life crisis?

Alarming gaps in maternal health across Australia, USA, and UK revealed

Publicly released: Wed 27 Aug 2025 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

Journal of Clinical Medicine

outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic added further strain to maternity care systems and, in the UK, it became a leading cause of death among pregnant women caused by disruptions to prenatal ... The paper, Read more about Alarming gaps in maternal health across Australia, USA, and UK revealed

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?