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. Citizen science project explores search engine secrets

    Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 1223 AEST, 1423 NZST

    The big question is how such personalisation can influence our decisions on anything from where to holiday to whether we get a COVID-19 vaccine. ... like the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Read more about Citizen science project explores search engine secrets

    Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT)

  2. AstraZeneca / mRNA COVID-19 vaccine combo may be more effective than 2 of the same jab

    Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

    Nature Medicine

    two jabs of AstraZeneca, and an equally strong or stronger immune response than two jabs of an mRNA vaccine. ... Certain immune cell levels (spike-specific CD8 T cells) were also higher with the combo Read more about AstraZeneca / mRNA COVID-19 vaccine combo may be more effective than 2 of the same jab

    InternationalSaarland University, Germany

  3. Russia's Sputnik V vaccine could have reduced effectiveness against some variants

    Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

    Nature Communications

    is effective at neutralising the Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2, but is not as effective against the Beta variant. ... variants. To investigate the effectiveness of the Sputnik V vaccine, Benhur Lee and Read more about Russia's Sputnik V vaccine could have reduced effectiveness against some variants

    InternationalIcahn School of Medicine, USA

  4. EXPERT REACTION: Why are fully vaccinated people still catching COVID-19? 

    Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 1046 AEST, 1246 NZST

    As the Delta variant becomes dominant around the world there are both international and Australian reports of fully vaccinated people still becoming infected with COVID-19. ... Data from some countries Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Why are fully vaccinated people still catching COVID-19? 

    Australia; NSW; QLD; SAAustralian Science Media Centre

  5. Small study suggests signs of 'long COVID' may lie in the eyes

    Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    British Journal of Ophthalmology

    The researchers say these changes were most noticeable among people with neurological symptoms, such as loss of taste and smell, headache, dizziness, numbness, and neuropathic pain, following Read more about Small study suggests signs of 'long COVID' may lie in the eyes

    InternationalWeill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar

  6. Can COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility?

    Publicly released: Mon 26 Jul 2021 at 0900 AEST, 1100 NZST

    that increasingly makes news headlines: new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. ... COVID-19 vaccines work by training the immune system to recognise the spike protein of the Read more about Can COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility?

    Australia; ACTAustralian Academy of Science | The University of Adelaide ...

  7. EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer vaccine provisionally approved for Australian teens

    Publicly released: Fri 23 Jul 2021 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

    The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia's medical regulator, has provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between 12 and 15. ... Previously, only people aged 16 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer vaccine provisionally approved for Australian teens

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SAAustralian Science Media Centre

  8. Speed or accuracy: What do we need most from a COVID-19 test?

    Publicly released: Fri 23 Jul 2021 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

    PLOS Computational Biology

    Using computer modelling, Indian researchers ran simulations of COVID-19 spread and found if enough people were tested, using the antigen tests could be just as effective as PCR testing. ... Cherian and Read more about Speed or accuracy: What do we need most from a COVID-19 test?

    InternationalAshoka University, India

  9. EXPERT REACTION: Two more deaths linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine

    Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 1730 AEST, 1930 NZST

    The Therapeutic Goods Administration has been notified of two more fatal cases of the rare blood clotting disorder related to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 jab. ... The 44-year-old man from Tasmania and Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Two more deaths linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine

    Australia; NSW; QLDAustralian Science Media Centre

  10. No progress: physical inactivity remains a global pandemic

    Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 1609 AEST, 1809 NZST

    The Lancet

    The slow progress on inactivity has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns likely associated with overall less physical activity worldwide. ... The Lancet series also features a Read more about No progress: physical inactivity remains a global pandemic

    InternationalThe University of Sydney

  11. EXPERT Q&A: COVID-19 Delta variant is more infectious, but is it more lethal?

    Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

    There is a lot of confusion circulating online and in the media about the mortality rate of the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and how effective vaccines are ... An issue causing confusion is that Read more about EXPERT Q&A: COVID-19 Delta variant is more infectious, but is it more lethal?

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WAAustralian Science Media Centre

  12. Two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are far more effective than one against Delta variant

    Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

    New England Journal of Medicine

    A single dose of both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are less effective against the Delta strain than the Alpha variant that previously dominated UK infections, according to international Read more about Two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are far more effective than one against Delta variant

    InternationalPublic Health England

  13. How masks stopped Melbourne’s second wave, and their effectiveness in preventing community transmission of COVID-19

    Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

    PLOS ONE

    AN EXPRESSION OF CONCERN HAS BEEN RAISED ABOUT THIS PAPERThe mandating of masks during Melbourne’s COVID-19 second wave in July 2020 was the single-most important control measure and ... Importantly Read more about How masks stopped Melbourne’s second wave, and their effectiveness in preventing community transmission of COVID-19

    Australia; International; VICBurnet Institute

  14. Warning on rising cybercrime during the pandemic

    Publicly released: Wed 21 Jul 2021 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

    Australian Institute of Criminology Statistical Bulletin 34

    A pre-COVID-19 snapshot of the cost of 'pure cybercrime' in 2019 has found an approximate total economic hit of $3. ... Levi M & Smith R 2021. Fraud and its relationship to pandemics and economic crises: Read more about Warning on rising cybercrime during the pandemic

    Australia; SA; ACTFlinders University | Australian Institute of Criminology

  15. Online lectures could be promoting superficial learning

    Publicly released: Wed 21 Jul 2021 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

    International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology

    Although numerous reports have addressed the challenges for teaching staff and the engagement (or lack thereof) of students, much remains to be understood about the quality of the learning experience Read more about Online lectures could be promoting superficial learning

    Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia

  16. COVID-19 is invading our dreams

    Publicly released: Wed 21 Jul 2021 at 1401 AEST, 1601 NZST

    Journal of Sleep Research

    The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted our sleep and dreams, according to Italian research which found people had a higher number of awakenings, a harder time falling asleep, higher dream Read more about COVID-19 is invading our dreams

    InternationalNot available

  17. Globally, around 1.5m kids have lost a parent, grandparent or caregiver to COVID-19

    Publicly released: Wed 21 Jul 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    The Lancet

    2] The researchers say their findings are likely underestimates because figures for a number of countries included in the study were based on COVID-19 mortality only and excess death data ... COVID-19 Read more about Globally, around 1.5m kids have lost a parent, grandparent or caregiver to COVID-19

    InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, USA

  18. RMIT experts available for comment on the upcoming Tokyo Olympics

    Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

    Jasper also works as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry. Associate Professor Con Stavros Topics: Olympics, sport marketing, the return of sport, sport business, COVID-19 and sport  Read more about RMIT experts available for comment on the upcoming Tokyo Olympics

    Australia; VICRMIT University

  19. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are more than 95% effective in preventing confirmed infection

    Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 1017 AEST, 1217 NZST

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers from VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System studied health records from the VA COVID-19 Shared Data Resource who had SARS-CoV-2 ... The Read more about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are more than 95% effective in preventing confirmed infection

    InternationalVA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, USA

  20. Lockdown is hard, but uncontrolled COVID-19 is worse

    Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    BMJ Global Health

    She said they were trying to determine whether government interventions or the lethality and infectiousness of COVID-19 are to blame for negative health consequences. ... Again, these disruptions have Read more about Lockdown is hard, but uncontrolled COVID-19 is worse

    Australia; NSW; QLDUniversity of Wollongong | James Cook University | The University of Queensland

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