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. How are kids faring after a dangerous COVID-19 related illness?

    Publicly released: Tue 14 Jan 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Pediatrics

    Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare, life-threatening illness that can occur after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. ... The researchers looked into the Read more about How are kids faring after a dangerous COVID-19 related illness?

    InternationalUniversity of Utah and Primary Children’s Hospital, USA

  2. New genetic biocontrol offers hope against disease-carrying mosquitoes and agricultural pests

    Publicly released: Tue 7 Jan 2025 at 2100 AEDT, 2300 NZDT

    Nature Communications

    Described today in Nature Communications, the technique developed by researchers in Applied BioSciences and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology at Macquarie University is a new approach Read more about New genetic biocontrol offers hope against disease-carrying mosquitoes and agricultural pests

    Australia; NSWMacquarie University

  3. EXPERT REACTION: Should we be worried about HMPV?

    Publicly released: Mon 6 Jan 2025 at 1618 AEDT, 1818 NZDT

    Below, Australian experts respond to questions about whether we should be worried about the virus. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Should we be worried about HMPV?

    Australia; VIC; SA; WA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre

  4. ADHD drug shows promise for treating methamphetamine dependence

    Publicly released: Fri 20 Dec 2024 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

    Addiction

    Those given the ADHD medication also had higher self-reported rates of treatment effectiveness (2. ... the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about ADHD drug shows promise for treating methamphetamine dependence

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; TASThe University of New South Wales | National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) ...

  5. A growth mindset could help maintain mental health in tough times

    Publicly released: Fri 20 Dec 2024 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Mental Health

    study during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The researchers say a growth mindset was associated with lower levels of depression and higher levels of wellbeing and adjustment to the change of routine during Read more about A growth mindset could help maintain mental health in tough times

    InternationalUniversity of California, USA

  6. 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)

  7. 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

  8. 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 ...

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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)

  14. 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

  15. 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 ...

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

Show Results

  1. 10
  2. 20
  3. 50