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. NZ-made Covid-19 booster vaccine offers 100% protection in mice

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Mar 2023 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

    iScience

    The "Kiwi Vax" vaccine provides complete protection against Covid-19 - including the Omicron variant - and prevents the virus from replicating in mice exposed to it, according to a preclinical study. Read more about NZ-made Covid-19 booster vaccine offers 100% protection in mice

    Australia; New Zealand; VICMalaghan Institute of Medical Research | Victoria University of Wellington ...

  2. How effective are our COVID-19 booster vaccines as new variants emerge?

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Mar 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    severe COVID-19 and variant-modified vaccines may provide additional protection even if they come up against a different variant to the one they are designed to target. ... 6 times better immunity against Read more about How effective are our COVID-19 booster vaccines as new variants emerge?

    Australia; NSW; VICKirby Institute, UNSW Sydney | The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity ...

  3. Ablation found to reverse common type of heart failure

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Mar 2023 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    JACC: Heart Failure

    Moving forward, clinicians should consider using catheter ablation to improve the lives of the many people living with comorbid AF and HFpEF. ” ... Thirty-one participants were involved with the study, Read more about Ablation found to reverse common type of heart failure

    Australia; International; VICBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute

  4. COVID-19 jab may lessen severity and duration of ‘long COVID’

    Publicly released: Wed 1 Mar 2023 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    BMJ Medicine

    CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, may lessen the severity and duration of ‘long COVID’ in those with persistent symptoms after infection, suggests a study that closely imitates Read more about COVID-19 jab may lessen severity and duration of ‘long COVID’

    Australia; International; QLDBond University | Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France; See papers for full list of author affiliations

  5. Science rejected, lives lost – how society can do better

    Publicly released: Tue 28 Feb 2023 at 1516 AEDT, 1716 NZDT

    Clinical Infectious Diseases

    through the air, at a time when the World Health Organisation declared “COVID-19 is NOT airborne” and “there is no specific evidence to suggest the wearing of masks by the ... Such transparency Read more about Science rejected, lives lost – how society can do better

    Australia; NSW; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) | The University of New South Wales

  6. Babies born preterm decreased slightly and stillborn rates unchanged during first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns

    Publicly released: Tue 28 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature Human Behavior

    Babies born preterm decreased and stillborn rates remained unchanged during the first four months of COVID-19 lockdowns, according to a largescale international study. ... Research at a Glance: A Read more about Babies born preterm decreased slightly and stillborn rates unchanged during first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns

    Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; WAMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) | The University of New South Wales ...

  7. Myocarditis and pericarditis after Pfizer vaccination could be rarer in younger teens

    Publicly released: Tue 28 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Pediatrics

    The rate of teens who experience rare heart conditions myocarditis or pericarditis after receiving a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine could be lower in younger teens compared to those nearing adulthood, Read more about Myocarditis and pericarditis after Pfizer vaccination could be rarer in younger teens

    InternationalPublic Health Ontario, Canada

  8. Going viral: Visual communication in the era of COVID-19 and social media

    Publicly released: Mon 27 Feb 2023 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

    Frontiers

    That’s because of the virus’ incubation period – the ‘lag’ between people being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and developing the symptoms of Covid-19. ... When more infectious and immune Read more about Going viral: Visual communication in the era of COVID-19 and social media

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland | The Spinoff, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington

  9. Simplified HIV treatment options just as effective

    Publicly released: Thu 23 Feb 2023 at 0815 AEDT, 1015 NZDT

    Conference of Opportunistic Infections

    Understanding the pros and cons of different treatment approaches is important to guide decision making. ... The Kirby Institute has a large clinical network and participating sites have done an immense Read more about Simplified HIV treatment options just as effective

    InternationalThe University of New South Wales | Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney

  10. Celebrity tweets swayed negative public opinion about COVID-19 in the USA

    Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    BMJ Health & Care Informatics

    People have increasingly turned to social media networks to share their thoughts and feelings on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, note the researchers. ... And the consistent emotional content Read more about Celebrity tweets swayed negative public opinion about COVID-19 in the USA

    InternationalThe University of Tennessee

  11. Women may avoid chronic illness with a little help from their friends

    Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    General Psychiatry

    Lockdowns during COVID-19 have shown the importance of social connection to health, yet global health strategies don’t include it as a risk factor for chronic disease. ... The research was conducted as Read more about Women may avoid chronic illness with a little help from their friends

    Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland

  12. Possible COVID-19 blood clot connection revealed

    Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

    Cell Reports Medicine

    The vaccines are alike in the sense that they induce the immune system to recognise and protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but they differ in how this is achieved. ... The Pfizer vaccine uses mRNA Read more about Possible COVID-19 blood clot connection revealed

    Australia; NSW; VIC; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) ...

  13. Aussies who inject drugs hesitant about COVID-19 jabs

    Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Drug and Alcohol Review

    The team recruited about 900 people who inject drugs for interviews about their views on COVID-19 vaccination. ... They say those who were vaccine hesitant were likely to express a lack of trust in the Read more about Aussies who inject drugs hesitant about COVID-19 jabs

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; WANational Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) ...

  14. Most babies born to mothers with COVID-19 separated after birth resulting in low breastfeeding rates

    Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    eClinicalMedicine

    The study, published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine, involved 692 babies born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 in 13 neonatal intensive care units across 10 countries, including Brazil, France, Italy Read more about Most babies born to mothers with COVID-19 separated after birth resulting in low breastfeeding rates

    Australia; International; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) | The University of Melbourne

  15. COVID-19’s impact on Aussie family life confirms importance of social networks

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 1350 AEDT, 1550 NZDT

    Journal of Family Issues

    The study results tell us if we want to prepare, as a society, for the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and prepare for future issues and pandemics, we need to focus ... Victoria experienced one of the Read more about COVID-19’s impact on Aussie family life confirms importance of social networks

    Australia; SAFlinders University

  16. Some pregnant Māori and Pacific women getting insufficient info on vaccines from healthcare providers

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 1139 AEDT, 1339 NZDT

    Midwifery

    NZ health authorities recommend pregnant people are vaccinated against flu, whooping cough, and COVID-19, yet less than half of all pregnant women in NZ are vaccinated, and there’s even ... Overall, Read more about Some pregnant Māori and Pacific women getting insufficient info on vaccines from healthcare providers

    New Zealand; PacificUniversity of Otago | AUT University | University of Auckland

  17. The maximum safe dose of ivermectin still doesn't help treat COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 1015 AEDT, 1215 NZDT

    JAMA

    Taking the highest possible safe dose of ivermectin does not help treat mild to moderate COVID-19, according to international research. ... The researchers randomly assigned 600 people with mild to Read more about The maximum safe dose of ivermectin still doesn't help treat COVID-19

    InternationalDuke University, USA

  18. How frequently should we be updating our COVID-19 vaccines?

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    The current challenge with COVID-19 vaccines is that they were developed based on the first strain of the virus in 2020, which is quite different to what is currently circulating,” ... Whilst the Read more about How frequently should we be updating our COVID-19 vaccines?

    Australia; NSW; VICKirby Institute, UNSW Sydney | The University of New South Wales ...

  19. EXPERT REACTION: One in five kids and teens struggle with disordered eating

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Pediatrics

    The proportion was further elevated among girls, as well as with increasing age and body mass index. ... These high figures are concerning from a public health perspective and highlight the need to Read more about EXPERT REACTION: One in five kids and teens struggle with disordered eating

    Australia; International; VIC; SA; WAUniversidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

  20. EXPERT REACTION: Stem cell transplant sends another HIV patient into remission

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    Medicine: Sustained HIV-1 remission after stem cell transplantationA recipient of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant to treat leukemia has shown persistent suppression of human Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Stem cell transplant sends another HIV patient into remission

    International; QLDDüsseldorf University Hospital, Germany

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