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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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)

  5. 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

  6. 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...

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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)

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. '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

  17. 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)

  18. 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

  19. ‘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

  20. 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

  21. 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)...

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. 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

  25. 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

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. 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)

  29. 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...

  30. 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...

  31. 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

  32. 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

  33. 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

  34. ‘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

  35. 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

  36. 1 billion people are now obese, and Aussie rates are on the way up

    Publicly released: Fri 1 Mar 2024 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

    The Lancet

    5kg/m2. Among school-aged children (aged five to nine years) and adolescents (aged 10-19 years), the BMI used to define obesity and underweight depended on age and sex because ... change, disruptions Read more about 1 billion people are now obese, and Aussie rates are on the way up

    Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; InternationalImperial College London, UK

  37. EXPERT REACTION: Smoking down, vaping up, and 1 in 5 of us use drugs illicitly - Australia's National Drug Strategy Household Survey

    Publicly released: Thu 29 Feb 2024 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    The National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023

    They found that the rates of smoking dropped by two-thirds from 1991, where e-cigarette and vaping rates are up from 2. ... E-cigarettes and vaping In 2022–2023, one in 5 (19. 8%) people aged 14 and Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Smoking down, vaping up, and 1 in 5 of us use drugs illicitly - Australia's National Drug Strategy Household Survey

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  38. Stop trying to raise the perfect child: new parenting book

    Publicly released: Wed 28 Feb 2024 at 1519 AEDT | 1719 NZDT

    Dr Nagel said the book drew on the authors' collective decades of research, parenting and insights. ... Dr Nagel said daily life felt more frightening for many families since the spread of COVID-19, with Read more about Stop trying to raise the perfect child: new parenting book

    Australia; QLDUniversity of the Sunshine Coast

  39. Silver tourism an avenue for industry growth

    Publicly released: Tue 27 Feb 2024 at 1706 AEDT | 1906 NZDT

    Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management

    The figures are projected to reach 2. 092 billion and 1. ... COVID-19 highlighted the health value of tourism in public health beyond lifestyle and economic factors. Read more about Silver tourism an avenue for industry growth

    Australia; WAEdith Cowan University|Curtin University

  40. Targeting inflammatory protein could help treat severe asthma

    Publicly released: Mon 26 Feb 2024 at 0920 AEDT | 1120 NZDT

    Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

    The findings, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, are a result of a joint study led by researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the Royal ... 2022 marked the Read more about Targeting inflammatory protein could help treat severe asthma

    AustraliaUniversity of South Australia|RMIT University|The University of Adelaide...

  41. Aussies are using social media to normalise some of our problematic drinking behaviours

    Publicly released: Sat 24 Feb 2024 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    The team used data from a social media analytics platform to analyse how much Aussies talk about drinking on social media, and what we're saying. ... COVID-19 lockdowns, sporting events and advertisements Read more about Aussies are using social media to normalise some of our problematic drinking behaviours

    Australia; VICLa Trobe University

  42. EXPERT REACTION: Big data detects COVID-19 vaccine safety signals

    Publicly released: Fri 23 Feb 2024 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    Vaccine

    The largest study of its kind involved more than 99 million people from Australia, Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand and Scotland who received a COVID-19 vaccine. ... The study, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Big data detects COVID-19 vaccine safety signals

    Australia; NSW; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|The University of Sydney...

  43. Long Covid brain fog may be due to a failure of your brain's defences against your blood

    Publicly released: Thu 22 Feb 2024 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

    Nature Neuroscience

    They used brain imaging techniques to look at the barrier in patients with Long Covid brain fog and analysed blood cells, revealing potential problems with normal blood clotting and a reduced Read more about Long Covid brain fog may be due to a failure of your brain's defences against your blood

    InternationalSt James’s Hospital, Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

  44. High blood pressure still biggest killer of Australians

    Publicly released: Thu 22 Feb 2024 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    1Beyond the well-known links with serious cardiovascular conditions, high blood pressure is also implicated in cognitive decline and poorer outcomes in COVID, as well as kidney disease and pregnancy Read more about High blood pressure still biggest killer of Australians

    Australia; NSW; VIC; WAGeorge Institute for Global Health|The University of New South Wales...

  45. Youth community spaces help make cities mental health friendly

    Publicly released: Thu 22 Feb 2024 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    Nature

    Part of the survey was done during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the authors suggest the crisis showed how losing community space further isolated people and led to worse mental health. ... Part of the study Read more about Youth community spaces help make cities mental health friendly

    Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; International; VICThe University of Melbourne|Orygen|Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA

  46. Examining the medical mystery of a child hepatitis outbreak

    Publicly released: Wed 21 Feb 2024 at 0901 AEDT | 1101 NZDT

    Journal of Infection

    In some patient samples, SARS-CoV-2 was detected. The timing of the outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic potentially also had a role. ... Professor Eslick says there was also inconsistent reporting and Read more about Examining the medical mystery of a child hepatitis outbreak

    Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney

  47. Most people's conspiracy beliefs stay the same

    Publicly released: Fri 16 Feb 2024 at 1138 AEDT | 1338 NZDT

    Scientific Reports

    Even over the Covid-19 pandemic, people were mostly consistent in whether they believed in conspiracy theories or not. ... Only two per cent of the sample agreed that ‘COVID -19 vaccines contain Read more about Most people's conspiracy beliefs stay the same

    Australia; New Zealand; VICMassey University|Deakin University|University of Otago...

  48. People were less stressed after NZ's successful Covid-19 response

    Publicly released: Fri 16 Feb 2024 at 1120 AEDT | 1320 NZDT

    Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology

    The findings contrast with similar hair cortisol studies from the UK and the US, where stress levels increased over a similar period. ... Researchers say their study suggests the rapid lockdowns mitigated Read more about People were less stressed after NZ's successful Covid-19 response

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland

  49. Breast screening no more than 20 minutes away for 9 in 10 Aussie women

    Publicly released: Fri 16 Feb 2024 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

    years, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. ... Participation has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as services reduced capacity to implement COVID-19 safety Read more about Breast screening no more than 20 minutes away for 9 in 10 Aussie women

    AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  50. Long Covid affects how people think

    Publicly released: Thu 15 Feb 2024 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    A recent survey of US residents reveals that cognitive symptoms are a common struggle for people suffering from Long Covid. ... Long Covid sufferers who had these cognitive symptoms reported higher levels Read more about Long Covid affects how people think

    InternationalWeill Cornell Medicine, USA

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