Resources for Journalists

Discovery harnesses mRNA in the search for an HIV cure

Publicly released: Fri 6 Jun 2025 at 1217 AEST, 1417 NZST

Nature Communications

The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that mRNA can be delivered via lipid nanoparticles (the same technology used in COVID-19 vaccines) to reach HIV-infected cells and force the Read more about Discovery harnesses mRNA in the search for an HIV cure

Offering COVID-19 booster vaccinations alongside influenza vaccinations could reduce hospitalisations and deaths

Publicly released: Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

Researchers used mathematical models to compare scenarios where COVID-19 vaccines were delivered at different times of the year and concluded that even though COVID-19 is not seasonal like influenza, Read more about Offering COVID-19 booster vaccinations alongside influenza vaccinations could reduce hospitalisations and deaths

Earlier measles vaccine could help curb global outbreak

Publicly released: Fri 30 May 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

The Journal of Infectious Diseases

School-aged children are the key transmitters of the virus, so preventing infections during childhood is critical to limiting the disease spread and advancing measles elimination efforts,” he said. Read more about Earlier measles vaccine could help curb global outbreak

COVID infections tied to rare neurological condition, mRNA vaccines reduce risk

Publicly released: Thu 29 May 2025 at 1432 AEST, 1632 NZST

Vaccine

Guillain-Barré syndrome after COVID-19 vaccines or SARS-CoV-2 infection. ... Auckland, 29 May 2025 – A new multinational study analysing data from over 230 million people across 20 global sites Read more about COVID infections tied to rare neurological condition, mRNA vaccines reduce risk

First-ever DNA mapping of NSW estuaries provides new tool for fisheries management and species recovery

Publicly released: Wed 28 May 2025 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is similar to the technology employed to detect COVID fragments in wastewater during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... This baseline is already being put to the test. Dr De Read more about First-ever DNA mapping of NSW estuaries provides new tool for fisheries management and species recovery

What does long COVID look like in young children?

Publicly released: Wed 28 May 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Characterizing Long COVID Symptoms During Early ChildhoodAbout The Study: This cohort study identified symptom patterns and derived research indices that were distinct between the 2 age groups Read more about What does long COVID look like in young children?

RSV appears riskier for your heart than COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 23 May 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

People hospitalised with Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are more likely to have a serious heart problem related to the virus than those hospitalised with COVID-19, according to international Read more about RSV appears riskier for your heart than COVID-19

NEWS BRIEFING: The health of teens and young people could be going backwards 

Publicly released: Wed 21 May 2025 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet

Bringing together 44 Commissioners and 10 Youth Commissioners, the Commission stated while adolescents make up 24 per cent of the population (about two billion people), they receive just 2. Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: The health of teens and young people could be going backwards 

Global pandemic agreement approved by World Health Organization members

Publicly released: Tue 20 May 2025 at 1031 AEST, 1231 NZST

The approval of the Pandemic Agreement resolution follows a more than three-year process, launched by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic, to negotiate the world’s first such accord to Read more about Global pandemic agreement approved by World Health Organization members

Drug typically used for opioid addiction could be Long COVID treatment

Publicly released: Tue 20 May 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

Lead author Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik from Griffith’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) said the study provided hope for the millions suffering from Long Read more about Drug typically used for opioid addiction could be Long COVID treatment

EXPERT REACTION: Polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea

Publicly released: Fri 16 May 2025 at 1302 AEST, 1502 NZST

Papua New Guinea has detected cases of polio which have triggered the activation of a national emergency response to protect children across the country. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea

What happens when patients try to control who they're getting their blood donation from?

Publicly released: Tue 13 May 2025 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

They say transfusions from directed donors rose by 11. 1% between 2019 and 2021, primary because of patients trying to avoid exposure to blood from COVID-19-vaccinated donors. ... 1% as compared with 2019. Read more about What happens when patients try to control who they're getting their blood donation from?

Trust a vital tool in managing future pandemics

Publicly released: Mon 12 May 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the future. ... When COVID-19 began, we knew a critical aspect of the government’s response would be supporting individuals and communities that were going to be hardest Read more about Trust a vital tool in managing future pandemics

Vaccines of the future: harnessing the immune system for long-lasting protection

Publicly released: Thu 8 May 2025 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

Journal of Experimental Medicine

These naturally fade over time, necessitating the need for boosters to ensure enhanced immunity – like we receive to protect against COVID-19 and tetanus. ... Antibodies target the surface of a virus or Read more about Vaccines of the future: harnessing the immune system for long-lasting protection

Obesity linked to long COVID

Publicly released: Thu 8 May 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

neurological and mental health symptoms after COVID-19, including headache, vertigo, smell and taste disorders, sleep disturbance, and depression. ... Moreover, fat tissue helps the SARS-CoV-2 virus enter Read more about Obesity linked to long COVID

Combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine produces immune response similar to getting the vaccines separately

Publicly released: Thu 8 May 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA

About The Study: In this phase 3 study, mRNA-1083, an investigational, multicomponent vaccine against seasonal influenza and SARS-CoV-2, met noninferiority criteria and induced higher immune Read more about Combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine produces immune response similar to getting the vaccines separately

NEWS BRIEFING: How severe is this flu season shaping up to be?

Publicly released: Wed 7 May 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Are we expecting a 'quademic' of flu, COVID-19, RSV and norovirus?Join this online briefing with leading winter virus and vaccine experts to ask these questions and more. ... The briefing will discuss the Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: How severe is this flu season shaping up to be?

Farm grass discovery nets top award at 2025 NZ Prime Minister's Science Prizes

Publicly released: Tue 6 May 2025 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

6 billion in productivity gains over 20 years. Other prizes are being awarded to Jemma Geoghegan for her science communication around bird flu and Covid-19, a high school science student ... Jemma became Read more about Farm grass discovery nets top award at 2025 NZ Prime Minister's Science Prizes

Everyday actions and behaviours linked to better mental well-being

Publicly released: Sun 4 May 2025 at 0653 AEST, 0853 NZST

SSM – Mental Health

The research evaluated 15 behaviours promoted by the Act Belong Commit campaign and found mental well-being increased consistently with the frequency of participation in these behaviours. ... Despite Read more about Everyday actions and behaviours linked to better mental well-being

Australia saw a drop in preterm births during COVID-19 lockdowns

Publicly released: Wed 30 Apr 2025 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Nature Human Behaviour

Australia had fewer preterm births during COVID-19 lockdowns than before the pandemic, according to international researchers, who say this was the case for high-income countries in Europe but not Read more about Australia saw a drop in preterm births during COVID-19 lockdowns