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. Access to vaccines and clinical trials for pregnant women vital in pandemics

    Publicly released: Fri 20 Dec 2024 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    Emerging Infectious Diseases

    majority of women who contract bird flu during pregnancy and their unborn baby will die from the virus, according to a new study. ... Pregnant women have experienced high death and critical illness rates Read more about Access to vaccines and clinical trials for pregnant women vital in pandemics

    Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)

  2. Older people are less commonly victims of cybercrime, but they're often hit harder

    Publicly released: Thu 19 Dec 2024 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    However, the older age group reported more instances of repeat victimization and resulting financial loss. ... Future studies may account for the impact of social isolation and increased technology usage Read more about Older people are less commonly victims of cybercrime, but they're often hit harder

    InternationalUniversity College London, UK

  3. Almost three quarters of adolescents experience depression or anxiety

    Publicly released: Wed 18 Dec 2024 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    The Lancet Psychiatry

    Three quarters of participants who struggled with mental health problems during the COVID-19 years already had symptoms, highlighting factors beyond the pandemic stressors. ... Researchers from The Royal Read more about Almost three quarters of adolescents experience depression or anxiety

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

  4. Cost of retail crime up 40 per cent over two years

    Publicly released: Mon 16 Dec 2024 at 1020 AEDT, 1220 NZDT

    Before COVID, crime was slowly rising, but when a lot of shops closed due to lockdowns, we saw a bit of a pause and crime went down,” he said. ... Online shopping has really grown, and largely its Read more about Cost of retail crime up 40 per cent over two years

    Australia; New Zealand; QLDGriffith University

  5. Poor sleep from excessive screentime could be making behavioural problems worse in preschool kids

    Publicly released: Sat 14 Dec 2024 at 0301 AEDT, 0501 NZDT

    Early Child Development and Care

    This poor sleep may be due to postponed bedtimes caused by screen viewing and the disruption of sleep patterns due to overstimulation and blue-light exposure. ... Understanding the role of screen use in Read more about Poor sleep from excessive screentime could be making behavioural problems worse in preschool kids

    InternationalShanghai Normal University, China

  6. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 still helps children avoid hospitalization

    Publicly released: Fri 13 Dec 2024 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    The BNT162b2 XBB vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) provided protection against COVID-19–associated hospitalisation and emergency department or urgent care visits among children 5 to 17 years of age during Read more about The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 still helps children avoid hospitalization

    InternationalKaiser Permanente Southern California, USA

  7. Cleaning airport surfaces every 2 hours cuts norovirus infections by 83%

    Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2024 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Computational Biology

    The virus is primarily transmitted through surfaces and outbreaks during air travel are especially common, due to the large number of public surfaces in airports. ... The researchers note that since they Read more about Cleaning airport surfaces every 2 hours cuts norovirus infections by 83%

    InternationalBeijing University of Technology, Beijing, China

  8. Elective surgeries in Aussie public hospitals highest on record in 2023-2024

    Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2024 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    saw fluctuations in the numbers of elective surgeries being performed as outbreaks of COVID-19 impacted patients, and the availability of hospital staff and resources. ... The largest increases in Read more about Elective surgeries in Aussie public hospitals highest on record in 2023-2024

    AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  9. Targeting mistrust and gullibility could reduce beliefs in conspiracies and fake news

    Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2024 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Global Public Health

    People who are mistrustful are more likely to believe in conspiracies, including theories relating to COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy, and those who are more gullible, or 'credulous', are more likely Read more about Targeting mistrust and gullibility could reduce beliefs in conspiracies and fake news

    InternationalUniversity College London

  10. Backyard chickens are here to stay

    Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2024 at 1415 AEDT, 1615 NZDT

    Anthrozoös

    Despite recent changes in council regulations, food shortages (particularly through COVID-19 pandemic) and increasing concerns about free range poultry production standards, there had been no Read more about Backyard chickens are here to stay

    Australia; SA; WAThe University of Adelaide | The University of Western Australia ...

  11. Anxiety and happiness in pandemic times

    Publicly released: Fri 29 Nov 2024 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    Loneliness, physical health, family and financial wellbeing were linked to anxiety and happiness in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey of 30,000 New Zealanders. ... Anxiety is Read more about Anxiety and happiness in pandemic times

    New ZealandUniversity of Otago

  12. How effective are current treatments for long COVID?

    Publicly released: Thu 28 Nov 2024 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The BMJ

    Although most patients recover from covid-19, up to 15% (an estimated 65 million people globally) might experience long term health effects, including fatigue, muscle pain (myalgia), and impaired Read more about How effective are current treatments for long COVID?

    Australia; International; VICMonash University | McMaster University, Canada

  13. More respiratory infections caught in hospitals without masking and COVID tests

    Publicly released: Thu 28 Nov 2024 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    A study of US hospital admissions shows a sharp increase in the number of  RSV, 'flu, and COVID infections caught in hospital after universal masking and COVID testing measures were removed. Read more about More respiratory infections caught in hospitals without masking and COVID tests

    InternationalHarvard Medical School, USA

  14. The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2024

    Publicly released: Wed 27 Nov 2024 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

    A raft of medical tests found no medical issues or vaccine-related side effects, and the man had never contracted COVID-19, although it was unclear if this was because of ... The researchers said that Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2024

    AustraliaAustralian Science Media Centre

  15. Thirty-seven percent increase in deliberate self-poisonings among girls during COVID-19 lockdowns

    Publicly released: Tue 26 Nov 2024 at 1020 AEDT, 1220 NZDT

    Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

    The increase is strongly correlated with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, the study found rates of deliberate self-poisoning were 84 Read more about Thirty-seven percent increase in deliberate self-poisonings among girls during COVID-19 lockdowns

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; WAThe University of Sydney | Monash University

  16. Being grumpy is the most common COVID-19 vaccine side effect in young kids

    Publicly released: Tue 26 Nov 2024 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    Irritability is the most common side effect following COVID-19 vaccination in kids under 2, according to a study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ... The researchers looked at Read more about Being grumpy is the most common COVID-19 vaccine side effect in young kids

    InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA

  17. Calorie labelling policy did not affect calorie consumption in the UK

    Publicly released: Tue 26 Nov 2024 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature Human Behaviour

    underestimated the energy content of their meal less, and also reported they were more likely to notice the and use the calorie labelling. ... The authors note that their findings are based on Read more about Calorie labelling policy did not affect calorie consumption in the UK

    InternationalUniversity of Liverpool, UK

  18. Is long COVID actually a 'long infection'?

    Publicly released: Mon 25 Nov 2024 at 1340 AEDT, 1540 NZDT

    Medical Journal of Australia

    Lingering SARS-CoV-2 infection may be driving long COVIDEmerging evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for causing COVID-19, can remain in the body for months, potentially fueling Read more about Is long COVID actually a 'long infection'?

    Australia; VICBurnet Institute | Monash University | The University of Melbourne

  19. When disaster strikes, new toolkit puts power in hands of the most vulnerable

    Publicly released: Mon 25 Nov 2024 at 1133 AEDT, 1333 NZDT

    International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

    Further publications from the team are available on ScienceDirect and include The effect of the Australian bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviours in people with multiple sclerosis - Read more about When disaster strikes, new toolkit puts power in hands of the most vulnerable

    Australia; VICMurdoch University | The University of Melbourne | University of Tasmania

  20. What makes the stonefish the most venomous known fish?

    Publicly released: Wed 20 Nov 2024 at 1901 AEDT, 2101 NZDT

    FEBS Open Bio

    The stonefish Synanceia verrucosa and Synanceia horrida are considered the most venomous fish we know of, and the researchers used multiple techniques to analyse the molecular composition of their Read more about What makes the stonefish the most venomous known fish?

    Australia; QLDAustralian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) ...

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