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. Differences in immunity and blood vessels likely protect children from severe COVID-19

    Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0005 AEDT, 0205 NZDT

    Archives of Disease in Childhood

    Differences in the immune systems and better blood vessel health were among the factors protecting children from severe COVID-19, according to a new review. Read more about Differences in immunity and blood vessels likely protect children from severe COVID-19

    Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)

  2. SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain through your nose

    Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1201 AEDT, 1401 NZDT

    Nature Neuroscience

    SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain of people through the nose, according to an autopsy study which may help explain the neurological symptoms such as loss of smell, taste, headache, ... International Read more about SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain through your nose

    InternationalCharité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany

  3. EXPERT REACTION: Moderna vaccine reports 100% efficacy against severe COVID

    Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

    The results, based on 30,000 participants, included 196 cases of COVID-19, of which 30 cases were severe. ... The data also suggest the vaccine is 100 per cent effective against severe COVID-19. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Moderna vaccine reports 100% efficacy against severe COVID

    International; NSW; VIC; QLDModerna

  4. Pets, touch and COVID-19: why our furry friends are lifesavers

    Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy

    A new study published by University of South Australia researchers points to the lifesaving role that pets have played in 2020 and why governments need to sit up and take notice. Read more about Pets, touch and COVID-19: why our furry friends are lifesavers

    Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia

  5. Dream a COVID dream: Pandemic stress continues in our sleep

    Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS One

    The mental suffering we experience during the COVID-19 pandemic is chasing us in our dreams, according to Brazilian researchers. ... The researchers used language processing tools to analyse 239 dream Read more about Dream a COVID dream: Pandemic stress continues in our sleep

    InternationalFederal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

  6. HIV in Australia has declined by 12% in the past five years

    Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New HIV data, released today by the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney for World AIDS Day, are a reminder for Australia to sustain its efforts in HIV prevention amidst the ... 19 pandemic. Read more about HIV in Australia has declined by 12% in the past five years

    Australia; NSWThe Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society ...

  7. The challenge of communicating disaster risks examined

    Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1358 AEDT, 1558 NZDT

    Progress in Disaster Science

    and what governments have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The authors call for public-interest media organisations to have viable business models and for students to be taught media literacy in Read more about The challenge of communicating disaster risks examined

    New Zealand; InternationalTonkin + Taylor International, New Zealand

  8. Children's Word of the Year - 'virus'

    Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

    Three million Australian schoolchildren’s most-used words in a writing exercise give valuable insights into the minds of school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... After a disrupted school Read more about Children's Word of the Year - 'virus'

    Australia; SAFlinders University

  9. Has quality suffered in the rush to publish COVID-19 research?

    Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    MJA

    And far fewer COVID-19 papers covered the 'gold standard' randomised controlled clinical trials, with more focused on smaller case studies, and more opinion pieces and editorials. ... They also found less Read more about Has quality suffered in the rush to publish COVID-19 research?

    Australia; QLD; ACTThe University of Queensland | Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

  10. COVID-19 Peer Hub combats vaccine avoidance amid pandemic

    Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 1516 AEDT, 1716 NZDT

    UniSA researchers are evaluating a new vaccination education initiative – the COVID-19 Peer Hub – to help immunisation and public health professionals to tackle the emerging dangers of vaccine Read more about COVID-19 Peer Hub combats vaccine avoidance amid pandemic

    Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia

  11. COVID-19 may hijack our cells' 'good cholesterol' system to spread through the body

    Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

    Nature Metabolism

    SARS-CoV-2 may hijack our cells' internal cholesterol processing system to help it spread from cell to cell, according to a Chinese study of cells in a dish. ... They found the SARS-CoV-2 virus bound Read more about COVID-19 may hijack our cells' 'good cholesterol' system to spread through the body

    InternationalBeijing Institute of Biotechnology, China

  12. COVID toes may point to an overactive immune response

    Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Dermatology

    People coming to a clinic with a chilblain-like condition during the COVID-19 pandemic, often called 'COVID toes', have characteristics which indicate an overactive immune response called a type I Read more about COVID toes may point to an overactive immune response

    InternationalCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, France

  13. Tackling disadvantaged children's education post-COVID

    Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0101 AEDT, 0301 NZDT

    COVID-19 has exposed fault lines in the education system for already disadvantaged students who are more likely to be severely impacted by the pandemic. Read more about Tackling disadvantaged children's education post-COVID

    Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland

  14. Fiji's vaccine program reduces childhood death and illness

    Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0101 AEDT, 0301 NZDT

    The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

    reduce the impact of viruses such as COVID-19. ... Rotavirus is severely contagious and the most common cause of diarrhoeal disease among infants and young children. Read more about Fiji's vaccine program reduces childhood death and illness

    Australia; Pacific; International; VICThe University of Melbourne

  15. New plant-based gel to fast-track 'mini-organs' growth, improve cancer treatment

    Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

    Advanced Science

    Monash University researchers have created the world’s first bioactive plant-based nanocellulose hydrogel to support organoid growth for biomedical applications. ... This includes cancer development and Read more about New plant-based gel to fast-track 'mini-organs' growth, improve cancer treatment

    Australia; VICMonash University

  16. Plasma from recovered COVID patients of no benefit in severe COVID-19

    Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    The plasma of patients who have recovered from COVID-19, known as convalescent plasma, has been found to be no better than placebo for patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, according ... Convalescent Read more about Plasma from recovered COVID patients of no benefit in severe COVID-19

    InternationalHospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina

  17. Hydroxychloroquine also doesn't work to prevent COVID-19

    Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    A trial which used hydroxychloroquine to try and prevent COVID-19 developing in people who were close contacts of a confirmed case, has found it provides no benefit. ... the trial of over 200 people found Read more about Hydroxychloroquine also doesn't work to prevent COVID-19

    InternationalHospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Spain

  18. Meet the experts behind ensuring the reliability of sewage testing for coronavirus

    Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    The collaboration on Sewage Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 (ColoSSoS Project) is giving our regulators, industry and the community confidence in the quality and reliability of testing methods. Read more about Meet the experts behind ensuring the reliability of sewage testing for coronavirus

    AustraliaWater Research Australia | National Measurement Institute

  19. EXPERT REACTION: Emergency department visits surged during 2019-20 black summer bushfires

    Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows increases in emergency department visits for respiratory problems and sales of asthma medication in regions affected by the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Emergency department visits surged during 2019-20 black summer bushfires

    Australia; NSWAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  20. UK SMC BRIEFING + EXPERT REACTION: Phase 3 Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine trial results

    Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1042 AEDT, 1242 NZDT

    Our colleagues at the UK SMC have hosted a media briefing to present the results of the Phase 3 trial into the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID vaccine. ... Phase 3 interim analysis including 131 Covid-19 cases Read more about UK SMC BRIEFING + EXPERT REACTION: Phase 3 Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine trial results

    International; NSW; VIC; QLD; SAUniversity of Oxford, UK, AstraZeneca

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