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. US-Israel-Iran War strikes at the heart of global food production, plunging tens of millions of people into abject poverty

    Publicly released: Thu 16 Apr 2026 at 2339 AEST, Fri 17 Apr 26 at 0139 NZST

    Global Food Security

    It provides a real-time analysis of an active conflict, drawing on lessons from three previous crises: the 2007–08 food price surge, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine ... The countries that Read more about US-Israel-Iran War strikes at the heart of global food production, plunging tens of millions of people into abject poverty

    InternationalUniversity of Sharjah

  2. Extended vaccination opportunities and community involvement could boost uptake

    Publicly released: Thu 16 Apr 2026 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    The BMJ

    Yet no existing reviews assess the effectiveness of individual intervention components across different populations and contexts. ... The effectiveness of certain components may also have been influenced Read more about Extended vaccination opportunities and community involvement could boost uptake

    InternationalUniversity of Bristol, UK

  3. Two new TB vaccines safe but don't protect against all forms of the disease

    Publicly released: Fri 10 Apr 2026 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    The BMJ

    8 million people worldwide were reported to have TB and the rate of new cases increased by 4. ... The researchers acknowledge that the covid-19 pandemic affected the study, leading to the exclusion of Read more about Two new TB vaccines safe but don't protect against all forms of the disease

    InternationalIndian Council of Medical Research, India

  4. Common antidepressant may ease long COVID fatigue

    Publicly released: Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    International researchers say the common antidepressant fluvoxamine reduces long COVID–19-related fatigue, one of the condition’s most persistent and debilitating symptoms, while the diabetes Read more about Common antidepressant may ease long COVID fatigue

    InternationalBrazilian Biomedical Research Institute, Brazil, University of British Columbia, Canada

  5. How to stop panic-buying? Research finds COVID lesson

    Publicly released: Wed 18 Mar 2026 at 1127 AEDT, 1327 NZDT

    Behavioral Sciences

    Panic buying doesn’t just respond to shortages - it creates them. And according to a University of the Sunshine Coast behavioural scientist, the lessons learned during COVID-19 remain critical Read more about How to stop panic-buying? Research finds COVID lesson

    Australia; QLDUniversity of the Sunshine Coast | Griffith University

  6. Illness severity rather than vaccination rate was the main cause of COVID's impact on Māori and Pacific people

    Publicly released: Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 1124 AEDT, 1324 NZDT

    Epidemics

    Lower vaccination rates may not be the main reason why Māori and Pacific people were more likely to be hospitalised or die from Omicron variants of COVID, a NZ study finds. ... Comparing the models Read more about Illness severity rather than vaccination rate was the main cause of COVID's impact on Māori and Pacific people

    New ZealandEarth Sciences New Zealand | University of Canterbury ...

  7. Regular support sessions reduce burnout among midwives

    Publicly released: Mon 16 Mar 2026 at 1509 AEDT, 1709 NZDT

    BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

    At the same time, many older midwives have accelerated their retirement plans following the COVID‑19 pandemic. ... Programs like GCS offer a clear and achievable way to support the workforce now,” Read more about Regular support sessions reduce burnout among midwives

    Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) | St Vincent's Health Australia ...

  8. Coo-ee! Tapping into the inner workings of long-distance animal calls

    Publicly released: Wed 11 Mar 2026 at 0000 AEDT, 0200 NZDT

    Journal of Mammalian Evolution

    a mammal might be calling from – and improve biodiversity monitoring along the way. ... As for solving the baboon mystery, Dr Walker did learn the maximum call length for two other baboon species, Read more about Coo-ee! Tapping into the inner workings of long-distance animal calls

    Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales

  9. ‘Mini hearts’ show COVID-19 virus directly infects heart tissue

    Publicly released: Tue 3 Mar 2026 at 1511 AEDT, 1711 NZDT

    Biofabrication

    Researchers from the Centenary Institute and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have developed a human heart cell model demonstrating that the virus that causes COVID‑19 (SARS-CoV-2) can Read more about ‘Mini hearts’ show COVID-19 virus directly infects heart tissue

    Australia; NSWCentenary Institute | University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

  10. Breast cancer rates remain high worldwide, but cases in Australia have dropped since 1990

    Publicly released: Tue 3 Mar 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet Oncology

    the analysis does not analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or recent conflicts on the disease burden. ... 4)51. 7 (48. 5 to 54. 2)22. 2 (19. 7 to 24. Read more about Breast cancer rates remain high worldwide, but cases in Australia have dropped since 1990

    Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; International

  11. Diabetes and liver medications failed to treat long COVID

    Publicly released: Tue 3 Mar 2026 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    The findings underscore the continued lack of proven treatments to alleviate symptoms of long COVID. ... common diabetes drug shown to reduce the incidence of long COVID by 41%, or UDCA, a liver Read more about Diabetes and liver medications failed to treat long COVID

    InternationalAsan Medical Center, South Korea; Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, South Korea

  12. EXPERT REACTION: Online gambling changes in Canada linked to a huge increase in people seeking gambling help

    Publicly released: Mon 2 Mar 2026 at 1601 AEDT, 1801 NZDT

    Canadian Medical Association Journal

    Online gambling has recently undergone enormous  expansion in Canada and the United States. ... January 2015 to February 2020), the COVID-19 pandemic period (March  2020 to March 2022), and after Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Online gambling changes in Canada linked to a huge increase in people seeking gambling help

    InternationalUniversity of Toronto (Canada)

  13. Australians are rethinking inner city living

    Publicly released: Thu 26 Feb 2026 at 1048 AEDT, 1248 NZDT

    Regional Studies

    In a post-COVID world, CBD living is losing appeal with Australian residents opting for lower-density housing, according to new research from Adelaide University. ... The study sought to test whether the Read more about Australians are rethinking inner city living

    Australia; SAAdelaide University

  14. More financial support needed for mental health patients

    Publicly released: Mon 23 Feb 2026 at 1227 AEDT, 1427 NZDT

    Health Economics Review

    Previous analysis shows that GP bulk billing rates have declined from 89% to 77% since the COVID-19 pandemic, and mental health specialists bulk bill only 26% of the time," he ... The study also found Read more about More financial support needed for mental health patients

    Australia; WAMurdoch University

  15. New Zealanders may be overestimating food inflation

    Publicly released: Tue 17 Feb 2026 at 0902 AEDT, 1102 NZDT

    Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

    New research has found that years of rapidly increasing food prices following the COVID-19 pandemic may have distorted how New Zealanders perceive the cost of food. ... The researchers say this Read more about New Zealanders may be overestimating food inflation

    New ZealandUniversity of the Sunshine Coast | Lincoln University

  16. Too much school pressure could have lasting impacts on a teen's mental health

    Publicly released: Fri 13 Feb 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health

    There was also a link between academic pressure and an increased likelihood of self-harm, the researchers say. ... or COVID-19, meaning more up to date data are still needed to understand how current Read more about Too much school pressure could have lasting impacts on a teen's mental health

    InternationalUniversity College London, UK

  17. Scientific sleuthing solves vaccine side-effect

    Publicly released: Thu 12 Feb 2026 at 1055 AEDT, 1255 NZDT

    The New England Journal of Medicine

    New research led by Flinders University and international experts has finally uncovered how a rare blood clotting condition can occur after some COVID-19 adenovirus-based vaccines or after a natural Read more about Scientific sleuthing solves vaccine side-effect

    Australia; International; VIC; SAFlinders University | Adelaide University | The University of Melbourne ...

  18. Obesity linked to higher risk of severe and fatal infectious diseases

    Publicly released: Tue 10 Feb 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet

    Obesity significantly increases the risk of hospitalisation and death from most infectious diseases, including flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections and Read more about Obesity linked to higher risk of severe and fatal infectious diseases

    InternationalUniversity of Helsinki, Finland

  19. New mums still falling through the cracks – and paying with their hearts

    Publicly released: Tue 10 Feb 2026 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet

    Ms McKerrell, who participated in the BP2 study, said she faced the same barriers identified by the research: fatigue, being the sole carer for her daughter and COVID-19 restrictions that ... Between 2019 Read more about New mums still falling through the cracks – and paying with their hearts

    Australia; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health

  20. Warning on hidden climate change disease threat

    Publicly released: Mon 9 Feb 2026 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

    Leptospirosis is a notifiable disease. Symptoms in humans resemble influenza and COVID-19, so many cases remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. ... We need more comprehensive monitoring, greater public Read more about Warning on hidden climate change disease threat

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDThe University of New England | James Cook University ...

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