NZ's COVID-19 lockdown showing results

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 1300 AEST | 1500 NZST

Te Pūnaha Matatini

New modelling from Te Pūnaha Matatini suggests New Zealand's country-wide lockdown has already had a significant effect on COVID-19 case numbers. Attachments:. Te Pūnaha Matatini. Stochastic-Model-FINAL-RELEASE.pdf, 1.6 MB. Te Pūnaha Matatini. Read more about NZ's COVID-19 lockdown showing results - Scimex

EXPERT Q&A: To mask or not to mask

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 1201 AEST | 1401 NZST

Following on from the World Health Organization's updated advisory on the use of face masks in the community, Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, Professor of Epidemiology of Hospital Infection and Infectious Diseases Control at the University of New Read more about EXPERT Q&A: To mask or not to mask - Scimex

Predicitng which COVID-19 patients with pneumonia will die

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 1200 AEST | 1400 NZST

European Respiratory Journal

The risk of dying from COVID-19-associated pneumonia is highest in people aged over 65, especially those with other major illnesses, such as heart problems and diabetes, according to Chinese scienstists. They found multiple organ failure, especially Read more about Predicitng which COVID-19 patients with pneumonia will die - Scimex

Premature relaxation of COVID-19 control measures could lead to second wave

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 1200 AEST | 1400 NZST

The Lancet

Researchers warn against the premature relaxation of strict COVID-19 control measures, saying the premature lifting of those measures will likely result in a second wave of infection, according to modelling research. The study suggests that Read more about Premature relaxation of COVID-19 control measures could lead to second wave - Scimex

First study on the health conditions of adults one month into COVID-19 lockdown

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 1148 AEST | 1348 NZST

Psychiatry Research

A new study provides one of the earliest pieces of evidence that the COVID-19 outbreak affected people not only physically but also mentally. The preliminary results reveal adults in locations more affected by COVID-19 had lower physical health, Read more about First study on the health conditions of adults one month into COVID-19 lockdown - Scimex

Symptoms mild in Chinese newborns with COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 1130 AEST | 1330 NZST

European Respiratory Journal

Chinese scientists have identified four newborn babies with COVID-19 in China, and say the babies experienced only mild symptoms with none requiring intensive care or mechanical ventilation. All four babies were born to mothers with COVID-19 and all Read more about Symptoms mild in Chinese newborns with COVID-19 - Scimex

Heat and sunshine don't affect COVID-19 transmission

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 1130 AEST | 1330 NZST

European Respiratory Journal

Warmer weather in the northern hemisphere as summer starts may not curb the transmission of COVID-19, according to Chinese scientists. They looked at the spread of the disease in various Chinese cities, and found no difference between more sunny, Read more about Heat and sunshine don't affect COVID-19 transmission - Scimex

Dead probiotic bacteria may be good for your guts

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 1039 AEST | 1239 NZST

Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Probiotic bacteria that have been killed by heat may improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) according to German research funded by a company that sells IBS treatments. The team gave 443 patients with IBS either a placebo pill, or a Read more about Dead probiotic bacteria may be good for your guts - Scimex

Lung enzyme may make smokers more vulnerable to COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

European Respiratory Journal

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and people who currently smoke may be at greater risk of experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to Canadian research. The scientists found that both groups have higher levels of a Read more about Lung enzyme may make smokers more vulnerable to COVID-19 - Scimex

Parents’ mental illness linked to higher risk of child injury

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

The BMJ

Researchers in Sweden and the UK have investigated the relationship between parental mental illness and the risk of injuries in their children. Based on data from over 1.5 million children born in Sweden between 1996 and 2011, the results suggest Read more about Parents’ mental illness linked to higher risk of child injury - Scimex

Obesity linked to earlier need for knee replacements

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

BMJ

A study led by The University of Western Australia and Fiona Stanley Hospital and published in BMJ Journals has found obese patients undergo knee replacements around eight years earlier than those who are a regular weight. The scientists found extra Read more about Obesity linked to earlier need for knee replacements - Scimex

Hundreds of face shields delivered to those on the front line to address equipment shortages

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

At a time when social distancing and isolation are keeping people apart, innovative teams at the University of Newcastle have come together to address a key health concern amidst the COVID-19 outbreak – the rapid production of desperately needed Read more about Hundreds of face shields delivered to those on the front line to address equipment shortages - Scimex

Quarantine effective for control of COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0629 AEST | 0829 NZST

Cochrane Reviews

A new Cochrane review has summarised the evidence available from modelling studies that show how quarantining affects the spread of COVID-19. All the studies found quarantine to be important in reducing the number of people infected and the number Read more about Quarantine effective for control of COVID-19 - Scimex

Cancer experiences differ by ethnicity

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

A new study of over 950, 00 cancer patients has found that diagnosis, treatment, and survival all varied by ethnicity. This cohort included Asian, black, white, and Hispanic patients who were diagnosed with one of the nine most common cancers. Read more about Cancer experiences differ by ethnicity - Scimex

Dirty dishes shed light on ancient past

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature

Pottery is one of the most common discoveries at archaeological excavations, but dating these objects is often challenging. In a new study published in Natur e, researchers have developed a way of using radiocarbon dating to measure the age of Read more about Dirty dishes shed light on ancient past - Scimex

COVID-19 patient completely lost sense of smell

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

French doctors present the case of a woman in her 40s who reported completely losing her sense of smell as the most noticeable symptom of contracting COVID-19. Upon scanning her head, they found her nasal cavity was partly blocked by inflammation, Read more about COVID-19 patient completely lost sense of smell - Scimex

Climate melt-down on the horizon, scientists warn

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature

Global warming could cause rapid destruction of ecosystems within the current decade, according to a new study published in Nature this week. Based on data for over 30, 000 plant and animal species, the researchers estimated when different Read more about Climate melt-down on the horizon, scientists warn - Scimex

Legalised cannabis may increase the incidence of psychosis

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Psychiatry

As more countries around the world legalise cannabis for medical or recreational use, we can expect to see a rise in the number of users suffering from psychotic episodes, according to UK and Australian experts in a 'Viewpoint' article. They say the Read more about Legalised cannabis may increase the incidence of psychosis - Scimex

History of anxiety or depression linked to shorter lifespan

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Psychiatry

Research linking anxiety and depression to mortality is often based on a single measurement of mental health. In a new study, researchers have investigated the long-term relationship between mental health and lifespan using data from a cohort of 3, Read more about History of anxiety or depression linked to shorter lifespan - Scimex

COVID-19 rare in Spanish kids, and symptoms mainly mild

Publicly released: Thu 9 Apr 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Spanish scientists say that around one in 50 COVID-19 cases in Madrid occurred in a person under 19 years old, and their syptoms were mainly mild. They identified 731 kids who tested positive for COVID-19, and say just 21 (around three in 100) Read more about COVID-19 rare in Spanish kids, and symptoms mainly mild - Scimex