Resources for Journalists

Most high-risk mental health calls to 1737 come from women and teens

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

The 1737 mental health helpline saw contact surges during major national events like COVID-19 lockdowns and the Christchurch mosque attacks. ... The team says this is in line with research showing women Read more about Most high-risk mental health calls to 1737 come from women and teens

Global vaccine stockpiles prevented more than 5.8 million cases

Publicly released: Thu 10 Jul 2025 at 1152 AEST, 1352 NZST

BMJ Global Health

Routine vaccine coverage is declining due to many factors including vaccine hesitancy and funding cuts for organisations like USAID and Gavi, and in many places gaps in coverage due to ... 19 disruptions Read more about Global vaccine stockpiles prevented more than 5.8 million cases

Long COVID and chronic fatigue may share features in common

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 1646 AEST, 1846 NZST

PNAS

They found higher levels of oxidative stress (which damages cells) in the people with ME/CFS and long COVID than in healthy people’s cells. ... The findings suggest there are similarities between ME/CFS Read more about Long COVID and chronic fatigue may share features in common

COVID, flu & other nasties: what to expect this season and beyond

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

Lloyd is currently co-leading a study investigating how today’s newer strains of COVID-19 compare to Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). ... What if you get COVID? A/Prof. Rhee says while Read more about COVID, flu & other nasties: what to expect this season and beyond

AI Chatbots might be helping to write more than 1 in 10 biomedical research papers

Publicly released: Fri 4 Jul 2025 at 1059 AEST, 1259 NZST

Science Advances

During the COVID-19 pandemic, studies employed a framework that compared excess deaths during the pandemic with pre-COVID fatalities to deduce SAR-CoV-2’s impact on mortality. ... They also examined the Read more about AI Chatbots might be helping to write more than 1 in 10 biomedical research papers

Mental health disorders, malaria, and heart disease most affected by COVID-19 disruption

Publicly released: Thu 3 Jul 2025 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

Disrupted care during the COVID-19 pandemic led to sharp increases in other causes of illness and death, particularly mental health disorders, malaria in young children, and stroke and heart disease Read more about Mental health disorders, malaria, and heart disease most affected by COVID-19 disruption

Severe COVID-19 may accelerate cognitive decline in older people

Publicly released: Tue 1 Jul 2025 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

COVID-19 and Cognitive Change in a Community-Based CohortAbout The Study: This cohort study of older participants found accelerated decreases in cognition among individuals hospitalized for Read more about Severe COVID-19 may accelerate cognitive decline in older people

Life expectancy in Australia is still far from equal

Publicly released: Tue 1 Jul 2025 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet

However, although there was a narrowing of the gap in life expectancy across socioeconomic groups from the late 2010s onwards, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women reversed this ... Study lead Read more about Life expectancy in Australia is still far from equal

More Aussies were hospitalised due to their drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Mon 30 Jun 2025 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

Drug and Alcohol Review

The number of Australians who were hospitalised or died as a result of their alcohol consumption increased over the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during mid-late 2020, according to Australian research Read more about More Aussies were hospitalised due to their drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic

NANOSPRESSO device could make personalised medicines on-demand

Publicly released: Thu 26 Jun 2025 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Frontiers in Science

They also cite the success of using similar nucleic acid platforms to produce, for example, mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and say that modern advancements in closed-system microfluidics Read more about NANOSPRESSO device could make personalised medicines on-demand

New insights into seasonal shifts in sleep

Publicly released: Thu 26 Jun 2025 at 1053 AEST, 1253 NZST

Sleep

Our findings underscore the seasonal nature of human sleep, and that it is influenced by demographics and geography. ... 5 minutes less per night from 2020 to 2023 – a decline researchers speculate Read more about New insights into seasonal shifts in sleep

COVID-19 vaccines available in 2023-2024 were still offering extra protection

Publicly released: Thu 26 Jun 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

They estimate that on top of the protection against COVID-19 most people have now from prior vaccination and getting the virus, the vaccines were 29% effective against emergency department Read more about COVID-19 vaccines available in 2023-2024 were still offering extra protection

Efforts to get the world's children vaccinated have stalled over the past 15 years

Publicly released: Wed 25 Jun 2025 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet

These challenges have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving millions of children vulnerable to preventable diseases and death, according to a major new analysis from the Global Read more about Efforts to get the world's children vaccinated have stalled over the past 15 years

'It takes a village’ to address childhood anxiety and depression

Publicly released: Tue 24 Jun 2025 at 1630 AEST, 1830 NZST

Children

Research shows ‘it takes a village’ to address childhood anxiety and depressionSince the COVID-19 pandemic, levels of clinically elevated depression and anxiety symptoms in children have Read more about 'It takes a village’ to address childhood anxiety and depression

A new database of everything we know about COVID-19 shows promise for future pandemics

Publicly released: Tue 24 Jun 2025 at 1540 AEST, 1740 NZST

Nature

A new database of everything we know about COVID-19 shows promise for future pandemicsCOVID-19 may seem well and truly in the past, but another deadly pandemic is a question ... who need to understand Read more about A new database of everything we know about COVID-19 shows promise for future pandemics

Road crash injuries are on the rise in Australia - how can we stop them?

Publicly released: Thu 19 Jun 2025 at 1143 AEST, 1343 NZST

Case Studies on Transport Policy

records. “We found between 2011 and 2019, crash-related hospitalisations rose steadily, only falling briefly during 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns,” says Dr Soltani. ... If we want to reduce the Read more about Road crash injuries are on the rise in Australia - how can we stop them?

New pathway for mRNA drug delivery shows shape of things to come

Publicly released: Mon 16 Jun 2025 at 1416 AEST, 1616 NZST

Small

Lipid nanoparticles have emerged as critical platforms for drug and gene delivery, with the success of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines highlighting their potential. ... One of the major challenges in nanomedicine Read more about New pathway for mRNA drug delivery shows shape of things to come

Electroshock therapy may reduce suicide risk by a third in severely depressed patients

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 0805 AEST, 1005 NZST

Neuroscience Applied

The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global mental health is still being assessed. ... In contrast to ECT — which has been in clinical use since the 1930s — rTMS and VNS are relatively new Read more about Electroshock therapy may reduce suicide risk by a third in severely depressed patients

Australian children’s screen time soars to 9 hours daily

Publicly released: Thu 12 Jun 2025 at 1840 AEST, 2040 NZST

Current Psychology

34 hours – a dramatic increase from 2017 pre-COVID data showing 6. ... The researchers called for early intervention strategies including parent education and school-based programs. Read more about Australian children’s screen time soars to 9 hours daily

Real-time study to reveal crucial facts about persistent illnesses post-COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 12 Jun 2025 at 1134 AEST, 1334 NZST

As Australia heads into the winter COVID-19 and influenza surge, a major study is recruiting people with current flu-like symptoms. ... For this study, we want to recruit 1500 Australians who are Read more about Real-time study to reveal crucial facts about persistent illnesses post-COVID-19

Severe forms of COVID-19 infection in children may increase cardiovascular disease risks

Publicly released: Wed 11 Jun 2025 at 1139 AEST, 1339 NZST

Journal of Proteome Research

However, COVID-19 causes heart damage in some adults, and an Australian and international study of 147 children in the US shows evidence that children with COVID-19 and MIS-C ... With over 750 million Read more about Severe forms of COVID-19 infection in children may increase cardiovascular disease risks

'Missing link' in blood clotting mechanism that wreaks havoc on the small blood vessels of major organs

Publicly released: Fri 6 Jun 2025 at 1218 AEST, 1418 NZST

Nature

Australian scientists have uncovered the 'missing link' in the way the small blood vessels in the body can become blocked in many conditions, including heart attacks, stroke, sepsis and severe Read more about 'Missing link' in blood clotting mechanism that wreaks havoc on the small blood vessels of major organs

Discovery harnesses mRNA in the search for an HIV cure

Publicly released: Fri 6 Jun 2025 at 1217 AEST, 1417 NZST

Nature Communications

The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that mRNA can be delivered via lipid nanoparticles (the same technology used in COVID-19 vaccines) to reach HIV-infected cells and force the Read more about Discovery harnesses mRNA in the search for an HIV cure

Offering COVID-19 booster vaccinations alongside influenza vaccinations could reduce hospitalisations and deaths

Publicly released: Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

Researchers used mathematical models to compare scenarios where COVID-19 vaccines were delivered at different times of the year and concluded that even though COVID-19 is not seasonal like influenza, Read more about Offering COVID-19 booster vaccinations alongside influenza vaccinations could reduce hospitalisations and deaths

Earlier measles vaccine could help curb global outbreak

Publicly released: Fri 30 May 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

The Journal of Infectious Diseases

School-aged children are the key transmitters of the virus, so preventing infections during childhood is critical to limiting the disease spread and advancing measles elimination efforts,” he said. Read more about Earlier measles vaccine could help curb global outbreak

COVID infections tied to rare neurological condition, mRNA vaccines reduce risk

Publicly released: Thu 29 May 2025 at 1432 AEST, 1632 NZST

Vaccine

Guillain-Barré syndrome after COVID-19 vaccines or SARS-CoV-2 infection. ... Auckland, 29 May 2025 – A new multinational study analysing data from over 230 million people across 20 global sites Read more about COVID infections tied to rare neurological condition, mRNA vaccines reduce risk

First-ever DNA mapping of NSW estuaries provides new tool for fisheries management and species recovery

Publicly released: Wed 28 May 2025 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is similar to the technology employed to detect COVID fragments in wastewater during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... This baseline is already being put to the test. Dr De Read more about First-ever DNA mapping of NSW estuaries provides new tool for fisheries management and species recovery

What does long COVID look like in young children?

Publicly released: Wed 28 May 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Characterizing Long COVID Symptoms During Early ChildhoodAbout The Study: This cohort study identified symptom patterns and derived research indices that were distinct between the 2 age groups Read more about What does long COVID look like in young children?

RSV appears riskier for your heart than COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 23 May 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

People hospitalised with Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are more likely to have a serious heart problem related to the virus than those hospitalised with COVID-19, according to international Read more about RSV appears riskier for your heart than COVID-19

NEWS BRIEFING: The health of teens and young people could be going backwards 

Publicly released: Wed 21 May 2025 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet

Bringing together 44 Commissioners and 10 Youth Commissioners, the Commission stated while adolescents make up 24 per cent of the population (about two billion people), they receive just 2. Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: The health of teens and young people could be going backwards 

Global pandemic agreement approved by World Health Organization members

Publicly released: Tue 20 May 2025 at 1031 AEST, 1231 NZST

The approval of the Pandemic Agreement resolution follows a more than three-year process, launched by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic, to negotiate the world’s first such accord to Read more about Global pandemic agreement approved by World Health Organization members

Drug typically used for opioid addiction could be Long COVID treatment

Publicly released: Tue 20 May 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

Lead author Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik from Griffith’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) said the study provided hope for the millions suffering from Long Read more about Drug typically used for opioid addiction could be Long COVID treatment

EXPERT REACTION: Polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea

Publicly released: Fri 16 May 2025 at 1302 AEST, 1502 NZST

Papua New Guinea has detected cases of polio which have triggered the activation of a national emergency response to protect children across the country. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea

What happens when patients try to control who they're getting their blood donation from?

Publicly released: Tue 13 May 2025 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

They say transfusions from directed donors rose by 11. 1% between 2019 and 2021, primary because of patients trying to avoid exposure to blood from COVID-19-vaccinated donors. ... 1% as compared with 2019. Read more about What happens when patients try to control who they're getting their blood donation from?

Trust a vital tool in managing future pandemics

Publicly released: Mon 12 May 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the future. ... When COVID-19 began, we knew a critical aspect of the government’s response would be supporting individuals and communities that were going to be hardest Read more about Trust a vital tool in managing future pandemics

Vaccines of the future: harnessing the immune system for long-lasting protection

Publicly released: Thu 8 May 2025 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

Journal of Experimental Medicine

These naturally fade over time, necessitating the need for boosters to ensure enhanced immunity – like we receive to protect against COVID-19 and tetanus. ... Antibodies target the surface of a virus or Read more about Vaccines of the future: harnessing the immune system for long-lasting protection

Obesity linked to long COVID

Publicly released: Thu 8 May 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

neurological and mental health symptoms after COVID-19, including headache, vertigo, smell and taste disorders, sleep disturbance, and depression. ... Moreover, fat tissue helps the SARS-CoV-2 virus enter Read more about Obesity linked to long COVID

Combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine produces immune response similar to getting the vaccines separately

Publicly released: Thu 8 May 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA

About The Study: In this phase 3 study, mRNA-1083, an investigational, multicomponent vaccine against seasonal influenza and SARS-CoV-2, met noninferiority criteria and induced higher immune Read more about Combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine produces immune response similar to getting the vaccines separately

NEWS BRIEFING: How severe is this flu season shaping up to be?

Publicly released: Wed 7 May 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Are we expecting a 'quademic' of flu, COVID-19, RSV and norovirus?Join this online briefing with leading winter virus and vaccine experts to ask these questions and more. ... The briefing will discuss the Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: How severe is this flu season shaping up to be?

Farm grass discovery nets top award at 2025 NZ Prime Minister's Science Prizes

Publicly released: Tue 6 May 2025 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

6 billion in productivity gains over 20 years. Other prizes are being awarded to Jemma Geoghegan for her science communication around bird flu and Covid-19, a high school science student ... Jemma became Read more about Farm grass discovery nets top award at 2025 NZ Prime Minister's Science Prizes

Everyday actions and behaviours linked to better mental well-being

Publicly released: Sun 4 May 2025 at 0653 AEST, 0853 NZST

SSM – Mental Health

The research evaluated 15 behaviours promoted by the Act Belong Commit campaign and found mental well-being increased consistently with the frequency of participation in these behaviours. ... Despite Read more about Everyday actions and behaviours linked to better mental well-being

Australia saw a drop in preterm births during COVID-19 lockdowns

Publicly released: Wed 30 Apr 2025 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Nature Human Behaviour

Australia had fewer preterm births during COVID-19 lockdowns than before the pandemic, according to international researchers, who say this was the case for high-income countries in Europe but not Read more about Australia saw a drop in preterm births during COVID-19 lockdowns

Alcohol-related liver diseases are sending more Aussies to hospital

Publicly released: Wed 30 Apr 2025 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

Drug and Alcohol Review

There has been an increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Australian research. ... The study found that, Read more about Alcohol-related liver diseases are sending more Aussies to hospital

Your menstrual cycle may be slightly disrupted after a flu vaccine

Publicly released: Wed 30 Apr 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The influenza vaccine is associated with small, temporary changes in the menstrual cycle, regardless of whether you get it alongside a COVID-19 vaccine, according to an international study. Read more about Your menstrual cycle may be slightly disrupted after a flu vaccine

Unexpected hives reaction seen in trial of mRNA vax against HIV

Publicly released: Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Participants reported frequent but mild to moderate side effects including pain at the injection site, fatigue and muscle aches that were like those seen previously with licensed mRNA COVID-19 Read more about Unexpected hives reaction seen in trial of mRNA vax against HIV

Left or right arm? Why vaccination site matters for immune response

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

Cell

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. ... Those who received both doses in the same arm produced neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 significantly faster – within the first week after the second dose,” says Read more about Left or right arm? Why vaccination site matters for immune response

COVID-19 vaccinations are metabolically safe

Publicly released: Mon 28 Apr 2025 at 1246 AEST, 1446 NZST

Journal of Molecular Medicine

While mild SARS-CoV-2 infections can cause more pronounced metabolic changes, the temporary fluctuations we observed after each vaccination were minor in comparison. ... The full research Longitudinal Read more about COVID-19 vaccinations are metabolically safe

Birds hold remarkable clues to fighting human and animal infections

Publicly released: Thu 24 Apr 2025 at 0920 AEST, 1120 NZST

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B

Australian and Dutch researchers have uncovered a remarkable evolutionary adaptation in birds that could hold vital clues for combating avian flu and respiratory infections in humans, including Read more about Birds hold remarkable clues to fighting human and animal infections

Tackling the ‘silent pandemic’: First long COVID treatment on horizon

Publicly released: Wed 9 Apr 2025 at 0730 AEST, 0930 NZST

Nature Communications

Our study has provided the first evidence to prove PLpro is a powerful new drug target for COVID-19 treatments, while also showing its potential ability to treat the virus with ... The SARS-CoV-2 virus Read more about Tackling the ‘silent pandemic’: First long COVID treatment on horizon

Global dark diversity study reveals hidden impact of human activities on nature

Publicly released: Mon 7 Apr 2025 at 1602 AEST, 1802 NZST

Nature

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and global economic and political crises, data were gathered over the years. ... The study highlights the importance of maintaining and improving ecosystem Read more about Global dark diversity study reveals hidden impact of human activities on nature