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. This poor soul had COVID-19 for almost 2 years, so long it mutated into a new variant

    Publicly released: Fri 19 Apr 2024 at 0801 AEST | 1001 NZST

    ESCMID Global Congress 2024

    immunocompromised patients Although rare, persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections in immunocompromised patients could lead to increased number of mutations in the virus genome. ... Whereas healthy SARS-CoV-2 Read more about This poor soul had COVID-19 for almost 2 years, so long it mutated into a new variant

    InternationalAmsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  2. Long COVID patients show immunological improvement two years after infection

    Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2024 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

    Nature Communications

    The ADAPT study followed people who contracted COVID-19 during Australia’s first wave, as well as a matched control group, for up to two years. ... of COVID-19, and it is a group in which the initial Read more about Long COVID patients show immunological improvement two years after infection

    Australia; NSW; VICKirby Institute, UNSW Sydney|St Vincent's Hospital Sydney...

  3. EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 vaccines likely prevented nearly 18,000 deaths in NSW's early Omicron era

    Publicly released: Wed 17 Apr 2024 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

    PLOS ONE

    The team used a simulation of NSW's vaccination and COVID-19 death rates in people aged 50 or older to see how vaccination and how second and third doses impacted ... COVID-19 deaths, and predict what Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 vaccines likely prevented nearly 18,000 deaths in NSW's early Omicron era

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDRMIT University|Monash University

  4. Important health information missing in online food delivery menus

    Publicly released: Sun 14 Apr 2024 at 2301 AEST | Mon 15 Apr 2024 at 0101 NZST

    Public Health Nutrition

    rapidly, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... One of the aims of the 2021-2030 National Preventive Health Strategy is to improve access to and the consumption of a healthy diet,” says Dr Gibson. Read more about Important health information missing in online food delivery menus

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

  5. Post-Covid kids aren't walking to school like they used to

    Publicly released: Fri 12 Apr 2024 at 0914 AEST | 1114 NZST

    Journal of Transport & Health

    The Covid lockdown period has disrupted Kiwi kids who walk to school, with students 42% less likely to return to their usual walking commute, new research finds. ... The authors say that restoring the Read more about Post-Covid kids aren't walking to school like they used to

    New ZealandUniversity of Otago|AGILE Research Ltd., Auckland University of Technology,

  6. Young drinkers are ending up in ED less

    Publicly released: Fri 12 Apr 2024 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    The majority of all drinking-related patients had last imbibed at a private residence, purchased their drink from an off-license, and were most likely drinking beer (31%). ... Over the three waves of the Read more about Young drinkers are ending up in ED less

    New ZealandUniversity of Otago

  7. CORRECTION: EXPERT REACTION: Australia [has not] recorded zero COVID-19 deaths for at least a week 

    Publicly released: Thu 11 Apr 2024 at 1430 AEST | 1630 NZST

    Media reports based on data from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care had suggested Australia recorded no deaths associated with COVID-19 for a week, although experts have Read more about CORRECTION: EXPERT REACTION: Australia [has not] recorded zero COVID-19 deaths for at least a week 

    Australia; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre

  8. An immune cell in the lung may be an unexpected trigger for developing severe COVID-19

    Publicly released: Thu 11 Apr 2024 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

    Journal of Experimental Medicine

    Stanford Medicine study flags unexpected cells in lung as suspected source of severe COVID The lung-cell type that’s most susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that ... SARS-CoV-2-infected Read more about An immune cell in the lung may be an unexpected trigger for developing severe COVID-19

    InternationalStanford University, USA

  9. With flu season approaching, does wearing a face mask make you seem more or less trustworthy?

    Publicly released: Tue 9 Apr 2024 at 1230 AEST | 1430 NZST

    Perception

    Researchers have found that the correlation between face masks and perceptions of trustworthiness may be linked to social norms rather than how they impact appearance. ... During the global COVID-19 Read more about With flu season approaching, does wearing a face mask make you seem more or less trustworthy?

    Australia; VICSwinburne University of Technology

  10. Sleep apnoea mouthguard could be just as effective for lowering blood pressure as a CPAP machine

    Publicly released: Mon 8 Apr 2024 at 1600 AEST | 1800 NZST

    Journal of the American College of Cardiology

    Both groups saw a reduction in daytime sleepiness and the results showed no between-group differences in cardiovascular biomarkers. ... Chi-Hang also said that the timing of the study, which was conducted Read more about Sleep apnoea mouthguard could be just as effective for lowering blood pressure as a CPAP machine

    Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney|National University of Singapore, Singapore

  11. Pandemic motherhood and mental overload in Aotearoa

    Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2024 at 1042 AEDT | 1242 NZDT

    Frontiers in Sociology

    Researchers interviewed a diverse group of 24 mothers living in Aotearoa during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand their shared and varied experiences. ... However, for all mothers, it was the return of Read more about Pandemic motherhood and mental overload in Aotearoa

    New ZealandUniversity of Waikato

  12. Uncovering the consequences of Molnupiravir use to treat COVID-19

    Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2024 at 0939 AEDT | 1139 NZDT

    The Lancet

    In the study, researchers monitored the COVID-19 genetic sequences of patients with persistent infections and found those treated with the drug rapidly accumulated hundreds of new mutations across Read more about Uncovering the consequences of Molnupiravir use to treat COVID-19

    Australia; TASUniversity of Tasmania|Royal Hobart Hospital

  13. mRNA therapy could help people with a rare metabolic disorder

    Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2024 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

    Nature

    Some vaccines against COVID-19 used mRNA-based therapies, which deliver the instructions for making specific proteins into the body; in the case of COVID-19 vaccines, these are proteins that Read more about mRNA therapy could help people with a rare metabolic disorder

    InternationalDuke University, USA

  14. Hope for treating autoimmune diseases

    Publicly released: Wed 3 Apr 2024 at 1152 AEDT | 1352 NZDT

    Clinical and Experimental Medicine

    diseases. “One of these haematological indices, the SII, has been shown to be particularly accurate in the diagnosis of other conditions characterised by excess inflammation and dysregulated Read more about Hope for treating autoimmune diseases

    Australia; SAFlinders University

  15. Mpox immunity is fading, and cases are on the rise

    Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2024 at 1046 AEDT | 1246 NZDT

    European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

    This vaccine is based on a highly attenuated strain of Vaccinia virus (VACV) – a virus that belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus, as do the viruses that cause smallpox (variola virus) and Read more about Mpox immunity is fading, and cases are on the rise

    InternationalKarolinska Institute, Sweden; Erasmus MC, Netherlands; Public Health Authority, Austria

  16. DNA evidence from crime scenes could be plucked from the air

    Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2024 at 1045 AEDT | 1245 NZDT

    Electrophoresis

    collection device regularly used to test for COVID19 and other airborne viruses in hospitals, schools and nursing homes. ... collection device regularly used to test for COVID19 and other airborne viruses Read more about DNA evidence from crime scenes could be plucked from the air

    Australia; VIC; SAFlinders University|La Trobe University

  17. Scientists make mosquitos less contagious in Pacific islands

    Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2024 at 1012 AEDT | 1212 NZDT

    PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

    The mozzies were infected with a bacteria which makes them less likely to pass on dengue to humans – and there are now self-sustaining populations of those less-contagious mosquitos. ... Their work on Read more about Scientists make mosquitos less contagious in Pacific islands

    Australia; PacificMonash University

  18. More Aussies are likely to die from bowel cancer as a result of COVID-era disruptions

    Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2024 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    COVID-related disruptions to bowel cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in Australia are likely to lead to an additional 234 cancer cases and 1,186 deaths in Australia over 2020–2030, Read more about More Aussies are likely to die from bowel cancer as a result of COVID-era disruptions

    Australia; NSWCancer Council NSW|The University of Sydney|The Daffodil Centre

  19. Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards

    Publicly released: Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 0501 AEDT | 0701 NZDT

    Science

    Covid-19 virus early in the pandemic, has continued to raise the importance of adequate indoor air quality for public spaces. ... number of people and their activities in the space to ensure adequate IAQ. Read more about Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards

    Australia; InternationalQueensland University of Technology (QUT)

  20. How older culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women handled COVID-19 in SA

    Publicly released: Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women over 60 in South Australia were highly concerned about COVID-19 and becoming sick from its effects, according to Aussie researchers who conducted a Read more about How older culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women handled COVID-19 in SA

    Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University|The University of Sydney

  21. MRNA could be used to target Alzheimer’s disease

    Publicly released: Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

    Brain Communications

    To date, mRNA has been predominantly used for vaccines, including those used to fight COVID-19. ... enhance targeting of toxic molecules in the brain and improve patient outcomes compared to conventional Read more about MRNA could be used to target Alzheimer’s disease

    Australia; International; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health...

  22. A once a year COVID-19 vax with an extra jab for high risk people could be the right vaccine strategy

    Publicly released: Tue 26 Mar 2024 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    1. Annual vaccination campaign with second dose protects high-risk groups from SARS-CoV-2 and may save health care costs Implementing an annual vaccination campaign, coupled with administering a Read more about A once a year COVID-19 vax with an extra jab for high risk people could be the right vaccine strategy

    InternationalYale Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, USA

  23. EXPERT REACTION: Chemicals in some disinfectants and flame retardants damage supporting cells of the brain in the lab

    Publicly released: Tue 26 Mar 2024 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    Nature Neuroscience

    The researchers also found links between kids with greater exposure to organophosphate flame retardants and higher rates of gross motor dysfunction and the need for special education. ... People are Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Chemicals in some disinfectants and flame retardants damage supporting cells of the brain in the lab

    InternationalCase Western Reserve University, USA

  24. Greater job flexibility and security helps keep psychological distress and anxiety low

    Publicly released: Tue 26 Mar 2024 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    The authors suggest that implementing workplace changes and policies that increase job flexibility and security may reduce work-related stress and facilitate improved employee mental health. Read more about Greater job flexibility and security helps keep psychological distress and anxiety low

    InternationalBoston University, USA

  25. Did tightened PBS restrictions on opioid supply reduce their use in Australia?

    Publicly released: Mon 25 Mar 2024 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    Medical Journal of Australia

    These new restrictions – aligned with changes made by Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – aimed to reduce the amount of prescription opioids in the Read more about Did tightened PBS restrictions on opioid supply reduce their use in Australia?

    Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales

  26. Meta’s success in suppressing misinformation on Facebook is patchy at best

    Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2024 at 1550 AEDT | 1750 NZDT

    Media International Australia

    The content moderation policy adopted by Meta at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic to rein in misinformation on Facebook has proved no great obstacle to users capable to finding ... The paper, Labelling, Read more about Meta’s success in suppressing misinformation on Facebook is patchy at best

    Australia; International; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The University of Sydney

  27. Deadline for global pandemic agreement looms

    Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2024 at 1103 AEDT | 1303 NZDT

    In the throes of the Covid-19 disaster which, officially, claimed 7 million lives and wiped $2 trillion from the world economy, inter-governmental negotiations to reach international agreement on Read more about Deadline for global pandemic agreement looms

    Australia; New Zealand; InternationalWorld Health Organization (WHO)

  28. Antibiotic resistance in treating UTIs highest in aged care facilities

    Publicly released: Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

    Open Forum Infectious Diseases

    Sydney. New research, recently published in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases, also found that antibiotic resistance in UTIs reduced over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. ... These samples Read more about Antibiotic resistance in treating UTIs highest in aged care facilities

    Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales

  29. Can mRNA vaccines help boost livestock production?

    Publicly released: Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    Vaccines

    UQ’s Professor Tim Mahony said it was vital for the livestock industry to take advantage of the unprecedented investment in mRNA vaccination technology triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about Can mRNA vaccines help boost livestock production?

    Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland

  30. EXPERT REACTION: 'Per capita' needs to go, say researchers

    Publicly released: Wed 20 Mar 2024 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

    Royal Society Open Science

    Using three global datasets (GDP, COVID-related mortality, and CO2 production), we show that this approach does not normalize differences in population size, but systematically overestimates values Read more about EXPERT REACTION: 'Per capita' needs to go, say researchers

    InternationalCharles University, Czech Republic

  31. 'Double jointed'? You may be at a higher risk of long COVID

    Publicly released: Wed 20 Mar 2024 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

    BMJ Public Health

    Pulling from data from a COVID Symptom Study Biobank, the team looked at 3064 people who had been infected with COVID-19 and pulled out data about their hypermobility. ... They were 30% more likely not to Read more about 'Double jointed'? You may be at a higher risk of long COVID

    InternationalBrighton and Sussex Medical School, UK

  32. WMO says 2023 was hottest year on record - by a lot

    Publicly released: Wed 20 Mar 2024 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    Data are from six data setsThe number of people who are acutely food insecure worldwide has more than doubled, from 149 million people before the COVID-19 pandemic to 333 million ... The report cites Read more about WMO says 2023 was hottest year on record - by a lot

    InternationalWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO)

  33. AI psychotherapy could help those struggling to reach out

    Publicly released: Tue 19 Mar 2024 at 1800 AEDT | 2000 NZDT

    Lecture Notes in Computer Science (book)

    I definitely think this has the potential to help – especially after COVID – we had that experience, and there are still a lot of things online now,” she said. ... The proposed program uses an Read more about AI psychotherapy could help those struggling to reach out

    AustraliaMurdoch University

  34. ‘Climate rollercoaster’: strong weather fluctuations rocked Australia in 2023

    Publicly released: Tue 19 Mar 2024 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

    Meanwhile, 2023 saw Earth record its highest temperatures ever seen in the atmosphere and the oceans, the least sea ice ever observed, and a rapid increase in sea level. ... resurging since COVID-19. Read more about ‘Climate rollercoaster’: strong weather fluctuations rocked Australia in 2023

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTThe Australian National University

  35. Animal activity changed in unexpected ways during lockdown

    Publicly released: Tue 19 Mar 2024 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    Nature Ecology and Evolution

    Some mammals were more active in developed areas and also exhibited greater nocturnality during COVID-19 lockdowns when human activity was also high, a paper published in Nature Ecology & Read more about Animal activity changed in unexpected ways during lockdown

    InternationalUniversity of British Columbia, Canada

  36. 2 in 5 people worldwide are experiencing some sort of neurological disorder

    Publicly released: Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet Neurology

    The researchers analysed the prevalence of a long list of nervous system (neurological) conditions, including intellectual disabilities, brain or movement impairments, epilepsy, migraines and even Read more about 2 in 5 people worldwide are experiencing some sort of neurological disorder

    Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; SAThe University of New South Wales|University of Technology Sydney (UTS)...

  37. EXPERT REACTION: Long COVID may be no different to other long term virus effects

    Publicly released: Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

    European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

    to stem from the sheer number of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 within a short period of time, rather than the severity of long COVID symptoms or functional impairment. ... They also note that the risk Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Long COVID may be no different to other long term virus effects

    Australia; QLDQueensland Government

  38. Common viruses trigger most cases of intussusception in children

    Publicly released: Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    Clinical Infectious Diseases

    The research, led by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, found during the COVID-19 lockdowns hospital admissions for intussusception, a Read more about Common viruses trigger most cases of intussusception in children

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

  39. New ‘microcombs’ dreamt up under lockdown

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Mar 2024 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

    Nature Photonics

    A NZ-led international collaboration reports an entirely new approach to this existing technology that was first theorised in Aotearoa during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. ... the University Read more about New ‘microcombs’ dreamt up under lockdown

    New Zealand; InternationalDodd-Walls Centre|University of Auckland

  40. Covid rebound could have different causes

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Mar 2024 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    However, a rebound in viral loads didn’t necessarily mean someone would feel their Covid symptoms return, and vice versa. ... The author team says symptom rebound could have several other causes, and Read more about Covid rebound could have different causes

    InternationalNational Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, China; See PDF for full list of author affiliations

  41. Covid vaccine linked to lower risk of heart complications after Covid infection

    Publicly released: Wed 13 Mar 2024 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

    Heart

    COVID-19 vaccines proved to be highly effective in reducing the severity of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospital admission and death. ... The researchers identified cases of cardiac and Read more about Covid vaccine linked to lower risk of heart complications after Covid infection

    InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK; see PDF for full list of author affiliation

  42. Women with depression might face higher heart health risks than men

    Publicly released: Wed 13 Mar 2024 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

    JACC: Asia

    They identified 4,125,720 participants who met the study’s criteria. The median age was 44 (36-52) years, and 2,370,986 participants were men. ... Researchers also acknowledge that COVID-19 may have Read more about Women with depression might face higher heart health risks than men

    InternationalUniversity of Tokyo, Japan

  43. Our furry friends caused 12,000 human hospitalisations in Australia in a year

    Publicly released: Wed 13 Mar 2024 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    The Pets and the Pandemic survey by Animal Medicines Australia indicates increased pet ownership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. ’ ... 9 and 3. 2 per 100,000 respectively). Anaphylactic reactions to Read more about Our furry friends caused 12,000 human hospitalisations in Australia in a year

    AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  44. COVID-19 dropped global life expectancy by 1.6 years

    Publicly released: Tue 12 Mar 2024 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet

    details about staggeringly high mortality from the COVID-19 pandemic within and across countries. ... In estimating excess deaths due to the pandemic, the authors accounted for deaths from the virus that Read more about COVID-19 dropped global life expectancy by 1.6 years

    Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTThe University of Melbourne|The University of New South Wales...

  45. How do we get more women into healthcare and medical leadership?

    Publicly released: Fri 8 Mar 2024 at 0945 AEDT | 1145 NZDT

    Medical Journal of Australia

    Cultural change is needed to increase the number of women in healthcare and medical leadership in Australia, according to Australian researchers. ... Although more women took on medical leadership Read more about How do we get more women into healthcare and medical leadership?

    Australia; VICMonash University|Swinburne University of Technology...

  46. Most GP practices in NZ have “closed books”

    Publicly released: Fri 8 Mar 2024 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    Researchers say the situation has worsened since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and that addressing closed books and limited enrolments in general practices could significantly improve Read more about Most GP practices in NZ have “closed books”

    New ZealandVictoria University of Wellington

  47. Online toolkit helps experts protect themselves from online abuse

    Publicly released: Thu 7 Mar 2024 at 0953 AEDT | 1153 NZDT

    In addition to the most recent survey, the journal Nature collaborated with the AusSMC during the height of the pandemic to ask COVID-19 experts about their experiences of online abuse. ... In Australia, Read more about Online toolkit helps experts protect themselves from online abuse

    Australia; NSW; SAAustralian Science Media Centre

  48. Men may be biologically more susceptible to COVID-19 symptoms

    Publicly released: Thu 7 Mar 2024 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    The researchers say these sex-specific symptom differences could help explain why men have higher death and hospitalisation rates for COVID-19. ... The authors add: “The COVI-GAPP study has revealed Read more about Men may be biologically more susceptible to COVID-19 symptoms

    InternationalPrivate University in the Principality of Liechtenstein

  49. ‘Like a lab in your pocket’ – new test strips raise game in gene-based diagnostics

    Publicly released: Tue 5 Mar 2024 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

    Nature Communications

    of the target DNA, such as the COVID virus. ... The method was illustrated in samples of the COVID-19 virus and helicobacter bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Read more about ‘Like a lab in your pocket’ – new test strips raise game in gene-based diagnostics

    Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales

  50. The Covid-19 pandemic put Antarctic research on ice

    Publicly released: Sat 2 Mar 2024 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

    SCIENCE ADVANCES

    new analysis explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted science, governance, and tourism in Antarctica. ... The fact that SARS-CoV-2 traveled to the Antarctic continent despite its geographical Read more about The Covid-19 pandemic put Antarctic research on ice

    New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Canterbury|British Antarctic Survey, University of Johannesburg

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