Resources for Journalists

Alcohol-related liver diseases are sending more Aussies to hospital

Publicly released: Wed 30 Apr 2025 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

Drug and Alcohol Review

There has been an increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Australian research. ... The study found that, Read more about Alcohol-related liver diseases are sending more Aussies to hospital

Your menstrual cycle may be slightly disrupted after a flu vaccine

Publicly released: Wed 30 Apr 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The influenza vaccine is associated with small, temporary changes in the menstrual cycle, regardless of whether you get it alongside a COVID-19 vaccine, according to an international study. Read more about Your menstrual cycle may be slightly disrupted after a flu vaccine

Unexpected hives reaction seen in trial of mRNA vax against HIV

Publicly released: Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Participants reported frequent but mild to moderate side effects including pain at the injection site, fatigue and muscle aches that were like those seen previously with licensed mRNA COVID-19 Read more about Unexpected hives reaction seen in trial of mRNA vax against HIV

Left or right arm? Why vaccination site matters for immune response

Publicly released: Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Cell

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. ... Those who received both doses in the same arm produced neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 significantly faster – within the first week after the second dose,” says Read more about Left or right arm? Why vaccination site matters for immune response

COVID-19 vaccinations are metabolically safe

Publicly released: Mon 28 Apr 2025 at 1246 AEST, 1446 NZST

Journal of Molecular Medicine

While mild SARS-CoV-2 infections can cause more pronounced metabolic changes, the temporary fluctuations we observed after each vaccination were minor in comparison. ... The full research Longitudinal Read more about COVID-19 vaccinations are metabolically safe

Birds hold remarkable clues to fighting human and animal infections

Publicly released: Thu 24 Apr 2025 at 0920 AEST, 1120 NZST

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B

Australian and Dutch researchers have uncovered a remarkable evolutionary adaptation in birds that could hold vital clues for combating avian flu and respiratory infections in humans, including Read more about Birds hold remarkable clues to fighting human and animal infections

Tackling the ‘silent pandemic’: First long COVID treatment on horizon

Publicly released: Wed 9 Apr 2025 at 0730 AEST, 0930 NZST

Nature Communications

Our study has provided the first evidence to prove PLpro is a powerful new drug target for COVID-19 treatments, while also showing its potential ability to treat the virus with ... The SARS-CoV-2 virus Read more about Tackling the ‘silent pandemic’: First long COVID treatment on horizon

Global dark diversity study reveals hidden impact of human activities on nature

Publicly released: Mon 7 Apr 2025 at 1602 AEST, 1802 NZST

Nature

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and global economic and political crises, data were gathered over the years. ... The study highlights the importance of maintaining and improving ecosystem Read more about Global dark diversity study reveals hidden impact of human activities on nature

Climate and health litigation mounting in Australia as exposure to heatwaves grows

Publicly released: Mon 7 Apr 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

The 2024 report represents the work of 25 experts from 15 institutions across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA, in a multidisciplinary collaboration across the fields of climate Read more about Climate and health litigation mounting in Australia as exposure to heatwaves grows

Do infectious diseases cause dementia? AI will be looking into it

Publicly released: Thu 3 Apr 2025 at 1731 AEDT, 1931 NZDT

Working out the relationship between infectious diseases and dementia is a bit like the chicken and the egg problem. ... There are also other specific infections – including both viruses and bacterial Read more about Do infectious diseases cause dementia? AI will be looking into it

EXPERT REACTION: Shingles vaccine reduces dementia risk by a fifth over seven years

Publicly released: Thu 3 Apr 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

Nature

Recent studies have found associations between herpes virus infections and an increased risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, raising the question of whether vaccination might Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Shingles vaccine reduces dementia risk by a fifth over seven years

Mask mandates changed the factors that predict Aussie's willingness to wear a face mask

Publicly released: Wed 26 Mar 2025 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

The factors that predict whether Australians are likely to wear a face mask or not were different before and after mask mandates came into effect during the pandemic, according to Australian Read more about Mask mandates changed the factors that predict Aussie's willingness to wear a face mask

The AusSMC celebrates 20 years of fighting misinformation with evidence

Publicly released: Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 1150 AEDT, 1350 NZDT

The Australian Science Media Centre is turning 20 this week, celebrating two decades of helping journalists cover some of the biggest stories of the century, from the COVID-19 pandemic and Read more about The AusSMC celebrates 20 years of fighting misinformation with evidence

Almost half of children with complicated appendicitis can recover from surgery at home

Publicly released: Fri 21 Mar 2025 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Journal of Pediatric Surgery

MCRI Associate Professor Warwick Teague said the HITH program, used heavily during the COVID-19 pandemic, had the added benefits of reduced hospital and family costs, improved quality of life, less Read more about Almost half of children with complicated appendicitis can recover from surgery at home

Soundcheck for survival: Regional live music venues burnt out by industry struggles

Publicly released: Thu 20 Mar 2025 at 1350 AEDT, 1550 NZDT

Popular Music and Society

It’s estimated that in the four years since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Australia has lost more than 1300 live music venues and stages due to a steep increase in ... Regional venues face unique Read more about Soundcheck for survival: Regional live music venues burnt out by industry struggles

Those who reminisce about the good old days are likely to keep more friendships

Publicly released: Thu 13 Mar 2025 at 1501 AEDT, 1701 NZDT

Cognition and Emotion

The students were aged 19, on average. They had an average of seven people they were very close to – so close that it would be difficult to imagine life without them. ... Covid pandemic. Read more about Those who reminisce about the good old days are likely to keep more friendships

No countries on track to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals

Publicly released: Thu 13 Mar 2025 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

PLOS One

In 2015, UN member countries adopted the Sustainable Development Goals with the aim of achieving “peace and prosperity for people and the planet. ” ... However, setbacks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Read more about No countries on track to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals

Parkinson's cases set to hit 25 million worldwide by 2050

Publicly released: Thu 6 Mar 2025 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

territories from 2022 to 2050 and the factors driving changes in Parkinson’s disease cases. ... and being unable to accurately predict the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in various ethnic groups, Read more about Parkinson's cases set to hit 25 million worldwide by 2050

COVID-19 not linked to increase in pre-diabetes condition in Aussie children

Publicly released: Tue 4 Mar 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

The COVID-19 pandemic saw an increase in new cases of type 1 diabetes (T1D) around the world, but researchers have been unable to determine whether the virus which causes ... Global research has explored Read more about COVID-19 not linked to increase in pre-diabetes condition in Aussie children

COVID-19 hospital patients face serious health risks up to 2.5 years later

Publicly released: Fri 28 Feb 2025 at 1601 AEDT, 1801 NZDT

Infectious Diseases

healthcare and monitoring for people who have been hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection. ... While much attention has been given to the immediate dangers of the virus,” Dr Tubiana adds, “our Read more about COVID-19 hospital patients face serious health risks up to 2.5 years later