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. EXPERT REACTION: Aussie kids aged 5-11 set to be eligible for Pfizer in January

    Publicly released: Mon 6 Dec 2021 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

    The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11. ... Subject to additional approvals from groups including the Australian Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussie kids aged 5-11 set to be eligible for Pfizer in January

    Australia; International; NSW; VIC; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre

  2. The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2021!

    Publicly released: Mon 6 Dec 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    In another year dominated by COVID-19, we all appreciated a little weird science to lift our spirits, and 2021 did not disappoint! ... And their hunch proved savvy – treatment with hormonal Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2021!

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre

  3. EXPERT REACTION: Possible mechanism for AstraZeneca vaccine blood clots identified

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Dec 2021 at 1045 AEDT, 1245 NZDT

    Science Advances

    a molecular mechanism behind the extremely rare blood clots linked to adenovirus COVID-19 vaccines. ... The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continues to advise that vaccination Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Possible mechanism for AstraZeneca vaccine blood clots identified

    InternationalCardiff University, UK

  4. Six COVID-19 vaccine boosters are safe and increase immunity

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Dec 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet

    However, little data exist on the comparative safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and the immune responses they stimulate, when given as a third dose. ... Primary outcomes were adverse effects seven days after Read more about Six COVID-19 vaccine boosters are safe and increase immunity

    InternationalUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, UK

  5. Delta variant may be more successful at evading vaccines

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Dec 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Pathogens

    Mutations change the shape of the COVID-19 spike protein, preventing antibody recognition and enabling the virus to escape vaccine-induced immunity; however, the extent to which vaccine recipients Read more about Delta variant may be more successful at evading vaccines

    InternationalMRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, UK

  6. Cancer treatments curb COVID-19 jab effectiveness, but they still cut infections

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Dec 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Oncology

    A US study of COVID-19 vaccines in 184,485 cancer patients found that, overall, they were 58 per cent effective 14 days after the second jab. ... of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to patients who didn’t Read more about Cancer treatments curb COVID-19 jab effectiveness, but they still cut infections

    InternationalHarvard Medical School, USA

  7. How to keep kids safe from predators online

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 1445 AEDT, 1645 NZDT

    Keeping children safe online is always important, but with the rapid rise of children using social media amid COVID-19 also comes increased opportunities for predators to access and exploit our Read more about How to keep kids safe from predators online

    Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia

  8. Severe COVID-19 survivors more than twice as likely to die within a year

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 1300 AEDT, 1500 NZDT

    Frontiers in Medicine

    19, 246 mild or moderate Covid-19 and the rest testing negative. ... Taking your chances and hoping for successful treatment in the hospital doesn’t convey the full picture of the impact of Covid-19. Read more about Severe COVID-19 survivors more than twice as likely to die within a year

    InternationalUniversity of Florida, USA

  9. African kids among those to miss medical appointments due to COVID-19

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

    BMJ Global Health

    Africa’s health systems were ill-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic as all available resources, including human, financial and material, were inadequate. ... The full paper, titled ‘The COVID-19 Read more about African kids among those to miss medical appointments due to COVID-19

    Australia; WACurtin University

  10. Moderna or Pfizer, which is more effective?

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    The Moderna vaccine appears to be slightly more effective at preventing COVID-19 infection and disease requiring hospitalisation, according to international research. ... The researchers say while the Read more about Moderna or Pfizer, which is more effective?

    InternationalHarvard University, USA

  11. Vaccine effectiveness dropped against Delta

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    The effectiveness of the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines declined after the Delta COVID-19 variant became predominant in the US, new data shows. ... The study looked at more than 150,000 cases of Read more about Vaccine effectiveness dropped against Delta

    InternationalNew York State Department of Health, USA

  12. This robot can remind people to social distance in crowds

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    COVID-19 mobile robot could detect and tackle social distancing breaches Surveillance robot could help reduce disease spread and also aid contact tracing A new strategy to reduce the spread of Read more about This robot can remind people to social distance in crowds

    InternationalUniversity of Maryland, USA

  13. Uncontrolled HIV could be behind Covid-19 variants in Africa

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature

    People with weakened immune systems are more likely to remain infected with Covid-19 for several weeks or months, increasing the virus' opportunity to mutate. ... A major risk, they note, of drawing Read more about Uncontrolled HIV could be behind Covid-19 variants in Africa

    Australia; New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

  14. Artificial intelligence to develop fundamentally new problem-solving techniques

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature

    While of profound interest in its own right, knot theory also has myriad applications in the physical sciences, from understanding DNA strands, fluid dynamics and the interplay of forces in the Read more about Artificial intelligence to develop fundamentally new problem-solving techniques

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

  15. COVID-19 pandemic puts spotlight on science misinformation ‘triggers’

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    BMJ Open Science

    A study documenting experiences of Australian health researchers and science communicators during the COVID-19 pandemic shows a shared concern regarding the contribution of long neglected issues in Read more about COVID-19 pandemic puts spotlight on science misinformation ‘triggers’

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

  16. Call for targeted ear screening with hearing loss found in 1 in 10 disadvantaged children

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Dec 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    Public Health Research & Practice

    At the same time, the classroom disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic may further widen the gap in educational outcomes in the future, they add. ... And a paper on navigating the health system from a Deaf Read more about Call for targeted ear screening with hearing loss found in 1 in 10 disadvantaged children

    Australia; NSWSax Institute | Macquarie University

  17. Australia’s healthcare system comes out ahead in global comparison

    Publicly released: Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 1330 AEDT, 1530 NZDT

    Health Services Research

    The researchers used data from 2014 to 2018, so the study did not include the impact of COVID-19 on health outcomes. ... The study also compared the use of prescription drugs and the price per script. Read more about Australia’s healthcare system comes out ahead in global comparison

    Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)

  18. Ivermectin could help save the endangered Australian sea lion

    Publicly released: Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 1045 AEDT, 1245 NZDT

    International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

    While ivermectin recently gained notoriety as an unproven prophylactic and therapy for COVID-19 (coronavirus), it has long been used in both human and veterinary medicine as a highly effective Read more about Ivermectin could help save the endangered Australian sea lion

    Australia; NSW; SA; WAThe University of Sydney | The University of Adelaide

  19. Kids with poorly controlled asthma more likely to end up in hospital with COVID-19

    Publicly released: Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

    8%) had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 67 (1. 5%) of these were admitted to hospital with COVID-19. ... A balance between the risk of hospitalisation from SARS-CoV-2 and the low risk of vaccination Read more about Kids with poorly controlled asthma more likely to end up in hospital with COVID-19

    New Zealand; InternationalVictoria University of Wellington | University of Edinburgh, UK

  20. Allergies and asthma associated with a... lower COVID risk?

    Publicly released: Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    Thorax

    A growing body of evidence suggests that at least some risk factors for developing COVID-19 may differ from those which predispose to severe disease and the need for intensive care, ... To explore this Read more about Allergies and asthma associated with a... lower COVID risk?

    InternationalQueen Mary University of London, UK

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