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. Fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine may have only marginal benefits for the young and healthy

    Publicly released: Thu 17 Mar 2022 at 0959 AEDT, 1159 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    A fourth dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can restore antibody levels to the peak seen after the third booster dose, but not boost them any further, according to research ... doses. The authors say a Read more about Fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine may have only marginal benefits for the young and healthy

    InternationalSheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer, Israel

  2. Staying alive, Arabian oryx style: Antelope, a Gulf region cultural icon, gets another chance at survival

    Publicly released: Wed 16 Mar 2022 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

    Royal Society Open Science

    It has even become a national icon in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. ... Biobanking a cultural iconTogether with his colleagues, Associate Professor Gongora is working with the Al Read more about Staying alive, Arabian oryx style: Antelope, a Gulf region cultural icon, gets another chance at survival

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

  3. How does a battle with COVID-19 impact mental health down the track?

    Publicly released: Tue 15 Mar 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet Public Health

    Self-reports of confirmed positive antibody or PCR-tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection served as an indicator of a COVID-19 diagnosis. ... The analysis finds a clear reduction of some mental health symptoms Read more about How does a battle with COVID-19 impact mental health down the track?

    InternationalUniversity of Iceland, Iceland

  4. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are best for passing on antibodies through breastmilk

    Publicly released: Tue 15 Mar 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Pediatrics

    The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are best for passing COVID-19 antibodies on through breastmilk, according to international research. ... What The Study Did: The antibody response in human milk was Read more about COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are best for passing on antibodies through breastmilk

    InternationalAmsterdam UMC, The Netherlands

  5. Global COVID-19 deaths may be 3 times higher than official records

    Publicly released: Fri 11 Mar 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet

    18. 2 million people may have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in its first two years, according to international modellers. ... 2 million people may have died because of the COVID-19 pandemic by Read more about Global COVID-19 deaths may be 3 times higher than official records

    International; QLDThe University of Queensland | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, USA

  6. EXPERT REACTION: Marking two years since the pandemic became official

    Publicly released: Fri 11 Mar 2022 at 0916 AEDT, 1116 NZDT

    Science

    This month marks two years since the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was declared a global pandemic by the WHO. ... One review describes how each of the vaccines and treatments approved to date were built Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Marking two years since the pandemic became official

    New Zealand; InternationalSee papers for author affiliations

  7. Moderna COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness differs for different types of cancer patients

    Publicly released: Fri 11 Mar 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Oncology

    While some types of cancer patients develop strong antibodies from the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, those who have recently received some treatments for blood cancers see a much smaller response, Read more about Moderna COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness differs for different types of cancer patients

    InternationalMoffitt Cancer Center, USA

  8. Priority groups have “worst access” to Covid-19 vaccines in NZ

    Publicly released: Fri 11 Mar 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    New study shows inequality in vaccine rollout for Māori and at risk communitiesNew Zealand’s rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine has failed Māori and at-risk communities as health officials Read more about Priority groups have “worst access” to Covid-19 vaccines in NZ

    New ZealandUniversity of Waikato | Waikato District Health Board

  9. Improving nano-particle passage through the body

    Publicly released: Thu 10 Mar 2022 at 1530 AEDT, 1730 NZDT

    Nanomaterials

    Acknowledgements: Microscopy Australia at UniSA, ARC, NHMRC and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for Fellowship for Experienced Researchers. ... The article, Nanoparticles Surface Chemistry Influence Read more about Improving nano-particle passage through the body

    Australia; International; SAFlinders University

  10. Third dose's a charm: Boosters critical to protect against Omicron

    Publicly released: Thu 10 Mar 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The BMJ

    Among unvaccinated adults admitted to hospital with covid-19, the delta variant was associated with the most severe disease, followed by the alpha variant and then the omicron variant. ... They conclude: Read more about Third dose's a charm: Boosters critical to protect against Omicron

    InternationalUniversity of Michigan, USA

  11. COVID-19 patients can develop resistance to treatment with Sotrovimab

    Publicly released: Thu 10 Mar 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    Sotrovimab neutralises SARS-CoV-2 predominantly by blocking entry of the virus into the host cell, binding to a particular region of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. ... Key findings: The whole genome Read more about COVID-19 patients can develop resistance to treatment with Sotrovimab

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney | NSW Health Pathology

  12. COVID-19 booster vaccine recipients were better protected during Qatar's Omicron wave

    Publicly released: Thu 10 Mar 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    The COVID-19 booster vaccines significantly reduce your chances of getting symptomatic Omicron compared to the first two doses, according to research out of Qatar. ... During the country's Omicron wave in Read more about COVID-19 booster vaccine recipients were better protected during Qatar's Omicron wave

    InternationalWeill Cornell Medicine–Qatar

  13. Kids who catch COVID-19 may be less likely than adults to develop antibodies against the virus

    Publicly released: Thu 10 Mar 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    Kids who catch COVID-19 may be less likely than adults to develop antibodies against the virus, according to Australian research. ... Every article is free online from the day of publication. What The Read more about Kids who catch COVID-19 may be less likely than adults to develop antibodies against the virus

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

  14. University-wide accessibility enhances experiences for students with disability

    Publicly released: Wed 9 Mar 2022 at 1539 AEDT, 1739 NZDT

    The research explored how trained, professional disability support officers and the wider institutional community supported students with disabilities in higher education. ... COVID-19 had a demonstrable Read more about University-wide accessibility enhances experiences for students with disability

    Australia; WACurtin University

  15. The first older COVID-19 patients are experiencing higher levels of cognitive decline

    Publicly released: Wed 9 Mar 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Neurology

    COVID-19 patients over 60 who caught the virus in Wuhan early in the pandemic are experiencing higher rates of cognitive decline, according to a study comparing them with their uninfected ... spouses. Read more about The first older COVID-19 patients are experiencing higher levels of cognitive decline

    InternationalThird Military Medical University, China

  16. Most mRNA vaccine side effects aren't serious

    Publicly released: Tue 8 Mar 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet Infectious Diseases

    In December 2020 two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines – Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) and Moderna (mRNA-1723) – were authorised for emergency use in the USA. ... These reports are categorised as non-serious, Read more about Most mRNA vaccine side effects aren't serious

    InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA

  17. EXPERT REACTION: “Significant” brain changes documented after mild COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 8 Mar 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature

    Neurology: Investigating brain changes following COVID-19 Changes to the human brain, including in areas associated with smell and memory, following SARS-CoV-2 infection are described in ... The effects Read more about EXPERT REACTION: “Significant” brain changes documented after mild COVID-19

    Australia; New Zealand; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; WAUniversity of Oxford, University College London, and Imperial College (UK), National Institutes of Health (US)

  18. These genes might make you more likely to end up in hospital if you get COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 8 Mar 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature

    Genomics: Genetic factors associated with predisposition for COVID-19 critical illness More than 20 host genetic variants that predispose patients who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 to become Read more about These genes might make you more likely to end up in hospital if you get COVID-19

    Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland | University of Edinburgh, UK

  19. This flu season we need to lookout for animal flu viruses that could infect humans and trigger pandemics

    Publicly released: Mon 7 Mar 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    Medical Journal of Australia

    The global COVID-19 pandemic has kept flu at bay for two years, but as borders open, flu is expected to come back into Australia, and we must be on the ... Such efforts will be beneficial beyond influenza: Read more about This flu season we need to lookout for animal flu viruses that could infect humans and trigger pandemics

    Australia; VICWHO Influenza Centre (Australia) | The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity ...

  20. Nearly 1 in 10 Kiwis report “excellent” wellbeing in lockdown

    Publicly released: Fri 4 Mar 2022 at 0920 AEDT, 1120 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    Countering the view that lockdowns are tough for all, a New Zealand survey of 3487 adults has found nine per cent reported excellent wellbeing during 2020’s strict COVID-19 ‘stay ... The team says Read more about Nearly 1 in 10 Kiwis report “excellent” wellbeing in lockdown

    New ZealandUniversity of Otago

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