Resources for Journalists

Long COVID associated with longer and heavier periods

Publicly released: Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

The authors also found that symptoms of long COVID increased in the peri-menstrual phase (which includes the 2 days before menstruation and all subsequent days of menstruation), suggesting a Read more about Long COVID associated with longer and heavier periods

NEWS BRIEFING: Australia's 2024 sexual health checkup

Publicly released: Mon 15 Sep 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Institute and the report’s lead author, who presented the data at the conference. ... While the small increase is likely related to unusually low diagnoses during the COVID pandemic, during which there Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Australia's 2024 sexual health checkup

Dog owners say it was harder to train dogs during the pandemic

Publicly released: Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

This might be due to stress in the dogs’ home environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as fewer opportunities for social interaction during lockdowns. ... Interestingly, we found that Read more about Dog owners say it was harder to train dogs during the pandemic

Mum's breastmilk changes throughout the day, and it could impact a baby's body clock

Publicly released: Fri 5 Sep 2025 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Nutrition

The hormones and proteins involved in circadian signaling, however, may vary in breast milk concentration over 24 hours. ... as the maturing and stabilization of the infant’s circadian rhythm,” Read more about Mum's breastmilk changes throughout the day, and it could impact a baby's body clock

Nasal vaccine offers new approach to fighting COVID-19: mouse study

Publicly released: Thu 4 Sep 2025 at 1340 AEST, 1540 NZST

Frontiers in Immunology

System. Published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, the study tested a nasal vaccine made from the SARS-COV-2 spike protein combined with Pam2Cys, an immune-boosting compound developed at Read more about Nasal vaccine offers new approach to fighting COVID-19: mouse study

Protein discovery gives new hope for longer COVID protection

Publicly released: Thu 4 Sep 2025 at 0627 AEST, 0827 NZST

Nature Communications

A protein particle hidden within the SARS-CoV-2 virus could lead to longer-lasting, more protective vaccines for COVID-19. ... new vaccines and treatments that offered protection across multiple strains Read more about Protein discovery gives new hope for longer COVID protection

An antihistamine nasal spray could help ward off COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

Regular use of the antihistamine nasal spray Azelastine could reduce your chances of getting COVID-19, according to international research. ... Regularly testing the participants for COVID-19, the Read more about An antihistamine nasal spray could help ward off COVID-19

Australian-led trial shows nasal spray reduces COVID-19 risk in cancer patients

Publicly released: Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 2300 AEST, Fri 29 Aug 25 at 0100 NZST

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Even with vaccination, cancer patients remain more vulnerable to COVID-19 and its complications,” Dr Yong said. ... This is the first randomised controlled trial to show that an intranasal Read more about Australian-led trial shows nasal spray reduces COVID-19 risk in cancer patients

Citizen scientists and holidaymakers key to restoring confidence in SA’s algal bloom-hit coastline

Publicly released: Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 1534 AEST, 1734 NZST

These people are helping address the difficulty of the situation by contributing their time and energy. ... South Australians can apply to win one of the Coast is Calling vouchers, which are similar in Read more about Citizen scientists and holidaymakers key to restoring confidence in SA’s algal bloom-hit coastline

Have young people cancelled the mid-life crisis?

Publicly released: Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased social media use. ... health care services, mental health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased social media use. Read more about Have young people cancelled the mid-life crisis?

Alarming gaps in maternal health across Australia, USA, and UK revealed

Publicly released: Wed 27 Aug 2025 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

Journal of Clinical Medicine

outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic added further strain to maternity care systems and, in the UK, it became a leading cause of death among pregnant women caused by disruptions to prenatal ... The paper, Read more about Alarming gaps in maternal health across Australia, USA, and UK revealed

A mother and child's depression risk is linked, but in which direction?

Publicly released: Tue 26 Aug 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

They say they found a link between child depression and subsequent maternal depression, but not the other way around. ... The researchers say these findings should be tested over a time period that does Read more about A mother and child's depression risk is linked, but in which direction?

Long COVID patients experience major losses of function and quality of life

Publicly released: Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Australian Journal of Primary Health

researchers. The team recruited 121 adults who had COVID-19 in 2020 up to mid 2022 and fit the World Health Organization's description of a long COVID patient in late ... Comparing the cohort to the Read more about Long COVID patients experience major losses of function and quality of life

Bushfires can spike local death rates but it's not just the heat of the fire to blame

Publicly released: Fri 22 Aug 2025 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Climate

They trained a model on demographic data from Maui County from August 2018 to July 2023 and weighted the analysis to exclude deaths caused by Covid-19. ... We think this might reflect a temporary drop in Read more about Bushfires can spike local death rates but it's not just the heat of the fire to blame

Less than half of depressed teens in the US are getting treatment

Publicly released: Thu 21 Aug 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Mental Health

The prevalence of adolescent depression has increased following the COVID-19 pandemic and is often under-treated. ... S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Of the 11,969 respondents, 2,283 (19. Read more about Less than half of depressed teens in the US are getting treatment

Before the outbreak: how the next-gen of animal vaccines will safeguard Australia

Publicly released: Mon 18 Aug 2025 at 1103 AEST, 1303 NZST

Prof. Thordarson says if the virus does arrive on our shores, it would devastate the country’s meat and dairy industries. ... This is the same mRNA technology that helped combat COVID-19. Read more about Before the outbreak: how the next-gen of animal vaccines will safeguard Australia

COVID-19 infection ages blood vessels, especially in women

Publicly released: Mon 18 Aug 2025 at 0905 AEST, 1105 NZST

European Heart Journal

The Covid-19 virus acts on specific receptors in the body, called the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, that are present on the lining of the blood vessels. ... In an accompanying editorial [2] Read more about COVID-19 infection ages blood vessels, especially in women

Parents were more likely to cheat on their partners during the pandemic than those without kids

Publicly released: Thu 14 Aug 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

Parents may have been more likely to cheat than non-parents during the COVID-19 pandemicNew study explores infidelity among heterosexual U. ... S. adults who were in committed, heterosexual relationships Read more about Parents were more likely to cheat on their partners during the pandemic than those without kids

Long COVID might harm your work and your wallet

Publicly released: Wed 13 Aug 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The team say these people who self-reported having Long COVID also reported worse work impairment, having missed more work, and were in more financial distress than people who never had ... Vaccinations Read more about Long COVID might harm your work and your wallet

Revealed: new vaccine target to block malaria transmission

Publicly released: Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 0630 AEST, 0830 NZST

Science

The success of the malaria vaccine program illustrates the versatility of mRNA technology, which has many applications beyond the COVID vaccines. ... Prof Tham said the collaboration between WEHI and MIPS Read more about Revealed: new vaccine target to block malaria transmission