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

Show/Hide newsfeed filter Filter by
Type
News for

Choose a location of interest

  1. 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

    InternationalGrossman School of Medicine, USA

  2. 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

    InternationalThe University of Tennessee, USA

  3. 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

    Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales

  4. 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

    Australia; International; NSWMacquarie University | Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre

  5. 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

    InternationalIndiana University, USA

  6. 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

    InternationalRush University Medical Center, USA

  7. 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

    Australia; International; VICWEHI | Monash University | The University of Melbourne

  8. 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

    Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)

  9. 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

    Australia; VICMonash University

  10. 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

    InternationalFred Hutchinson Cancer Center, USA

  11. 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

    InternationalUniversity of Colorado, USA

  12. 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

    InternationalTexas A&M University, USA

  13. 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

    Australia; SAFlinders University | South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)

  14. 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

    InternationalStanford University School of Medicine, USA

  15. 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

    Australia; International; QLDJames Cook University | University of British Columbia, Canada

  16. 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

    Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) | The University of Melbourne

  17. 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

    InternationalNational Institute for Health Research, UK

  18. 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

    InternationalSapien Labs, USA

  19. Co-infections in young bats could underpin coronavirus emergence

    Publicly released: Mon 21 Jul 2025 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    Nature Communications

    Endemic in bat populations, most coronaviruses never infect humans. When they do, as with the SARS, COVID-19 and MERS outbreaks, they typically spill over from bats via a bridging animal ... Dr Peel and Read more about Co-infections in young bats could underpin coronavirus emergence

    Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Sydney | Griffith University | The Westmead Institute for Medical Research

  20. Low vitamin D may increase your risk of being hospitalised with COVID-19

    Publicly released: Sat 19 Jul 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

    PLOS One

    The study also explored associations between vitamin D and COVID-19 outcomes among cancer patients, as well as across different ethnic groups. ... Dr Beckmann says that while risk from COVID-19 has Read more about Low vitamin D may increase your risk of being hospitalised with COVID-19

    Australia; International; SAUniversity of South Australia | King’s College London, UK

Show Results

  1. 10
  2. 20
  3. 50