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Plasma from recovered COVID patients of no benefit in severe COVID-19
New England Journal of Medicine
The plasma of patients who have recovered from COVID-19, known as convalescent plasma, has been found to be no better than placebo for patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, according to an Argentinian trial. Convalescent plasma is often given Read more about Plasma from recovered COVID patients of no benefit in severe COVID-19
InternationalHospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina -
Hydroxychloroquine also doesn't work to prevent COVID-19
New England Journal of Medicine
A trial which used hydroxychloroquine to try and prevent COVID-19 developing in people who were close contacts of a confirmed case, has found it provides no benefit. the trial of over 200 people found COVID-19 developed at the same rate in both the Read more about Hydroxychloroquine also doesn't work to prevent COVID-19
InternationalHospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Spain -
Meet the experts behind ensuring the reliability of sewage testing for coronavirus
The collaboration on Sewage Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 (ColoSSoS Project) is giving our regulators, industry and the community confidence in the quality and reliability of testing methods. The National Measurement Institute (NMI), together with Read more about Meet the experts behind ensuring the reliability of sewage testing for coronavirus
AustraliaWater Research Australia|National Measurement Institute -
Urban estuaries have more methane making microbes
PLOS ONE
More urbanised parts of the Burnett River Estuary, around Bundaberg, and within the Great Barrier Reef catchment, have a higher proportion of methane producing microbes, according to Australian research. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and it is Read more about Urban estuaries have more methane making microbes
Australia; NSW; QLDSouthern Cross University -
Tassie devil tumours evolved rapidly as they spread
PLOS Biology
Tassie devil transmissible cancer devil facial tumor 1 (DFT1) has evolved over the past two decades with new types spreading and replacing others, which may explain why the iconic marsupial has become endangered so quickly, according to Read more about Tassie devil tumours evolved rapidly as they spread
Australia; International; NSW; TASUniversity of Tasmania|NSW Government|University of Cambridge, UK -
C-section babies do just as well at school
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
A study finds kids born via caesarean section have just as good NCEA results as vaginally birthed babies. C-section babies often have different microbes in their gut, which researchers suspected might influence their academic performance through a Read more about C-section babies do just as well at school
New ZealandA Better Start National Science Challenge|University of Auckland -
EXPERT REACTION: Emergency department visits surged during 2019-20 black summer bushfires
A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows increases in emergency department visits for respiratory problems and sales of asthma medication in regions affected by the 2019–20 bushfires. The report brings together data Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Emergency department visits surged during 2019-20 black summer bushfires
Australia; NSWAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Hepatitis C testing and treatment declines in Australia
New report shows stigma remains high despite access to highly effective treatments. Fewer Australians are seeking testing and treatment for hepatitis C, according to the report monitoring Australia’s progress in eliminating the disease. Read more about Hepatitis C testing and treatment declines in Australia
Australia; NSWThe Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society... -
Injectable opioid treatment – an important option for a minority of people who use drugs.
Addiction
Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) is an effective treatment for opioid addiction, including drugs such as heroin, oxycodone and fentanyl. It involves taking a regular dose of opioid medicines such as methadone or buprenorphine, usually orally or in films Read more about Injectable opioid treatment – an important option for a minority of people who use drugs.
Australia; VICMonash University -
Netball teams should go for long shots when the two-point rule is in play
PLOS ONE
Teams competing in Australia’s national netball league should favour long- over mid-range shots when the two-point shot is available, according to Australian research. Australia's national netball league, Suncorp Super Netball, introduced a Read more about Netball teams should go for long shots when the two-point rule is in play
Australia; VICDeakin University -
UK SMC BRIEFING + EXPERT REACTION: Phase 3 Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine trial results
Our colleagues at the UK SMC have hosted a media briefing to present the results of the Phase 3 trial into the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID vaccine. Phase 3 interim analysis including 131 Covid-19 cases indicates that the vaccine is 70. 4 per cent Read more about UK SMC BRIEFING + EXPERT REACTION: Phase 3 Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine trial results
International; NSW; VIC; QLD; SAUniversity of Oxford, UK, AstraZeneca -
Areas where the next pandemic could emerge are revealed
One Health
An international team of human- and animal health experts has incorporated environmental, social and economic considerations – including air transit centrality, to identify key areas at risk of leading to the next pandemic. The paper led by the Read more about Areas where the next pandemic could emerge are revealed
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Taking the pill could be linked to reduced asthma severity
Thorax
Taking the Pill may cut the risk of severe bouts of asthma, according to international researchers, however this effect is relatively small and doesn’t include the progesterone-only pill. The team looked at a database of six million patients, and Read more about Taking the pill could be linked to reduced asthma severity
InternationalUniversity of Gothenburg, Sweden -
Common form of food poisoning still comes mainly from chicken
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Kiwi scientists looked at recent data to re-visit which food sources are responsible for Campylobacter infections, a common form of food poisoning caused by bacteria. Poultry still remains the lead culprit, with 84% of Campylobacter infections in Read more about Common form of food poisoning still comes mainly from chicken
New ZealandESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd)... -
Mother’s touch lingers in her child’s genes
eLife
Mothers leave their mark on their children in many ways – and Melbourne researchers have discovered a protein called SMCHD1 is involved in this ‘imprinting’ process. SMCHD1 switches certain genes off, altering how a cell behaves. The new Read more about Mother’s touch lingers in her child’s genes
Australia; VICWEHI|The University of Melbourne|Monash University -
Sound waves power new advances in drug delivery and smart materials
Advanced Science
Researchers have revealed how high-frequency sound waves can be used to build new materials, make smart nanoparticles and even deliver drugs to the lungs for painless, needle-free vaccinations. Read more about Sound waves power new advances in drug delivery and smart materials
Australia; VICRMIT University -
Next generation drones could learn from bumblebees’ amazing flight
PNAS
An international study, led by researchers from UNSW Canberra, has discovered the secret of bumblebees’ self-aware dexterous flight, that could have applications for the next generation of drones and autonomous vehicles. Read more about Next generation drones could learn from bumblebees’ amazing flight
Australia; International; NSW; ACTThe University of New South Wales|Bielefeld University, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Brown University, University of California, -
Isolation makes us literally hungry for company
Nature Neuroscience
Social isolation can evoke a craving response in the human brain, US research finds. Scientists restricted the in-person and online social interactions of 40 people for ten hours and measured their brain response. Showing the participants pictures Read more about Isolation makes us literally hungry for company
InternationalMassachusetts Institute of Technology, USA -
Candy with a chance of meatballs: Movie food and drinks fail the health test
JAMA Internal Medicine
Popular US movies depict an unhealthy diet, with the majority showing unhealthy foods and drinks, according to US research. The study looked at the 250 top-grossing US films between 1994 and 2018 and found that 73 per cent would be unhealthy enough Read more about Candy with a chance of meatballs: Movie food and drinks fail the health test
InternationalStanford University, USA -
Study reveals true origin of oldest evidence of animals
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Two teams of scientists have resolved a longstanding controversy surrounding the origins of complex life on Earth. The joint studies found molecular fossils extracted from 635-million-year-old rocks aren’t the earliest evidence of animals, but Read more about Study reveals true origin of oldest evidence of animals
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University|Max Planck Institute, Caltech
EXPERT REACTION: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in older adults
Uncertainty about the efficacy of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine in people over 65 years has caused s...
Oceanic sharks and rays have declined by over 70 per cent
The number of oceanic sharks and rays worldwide has fallen by 71 per cent since 1970 according to Austral...
EXPERT Q&A: Answering your questions about COVID-19 variants
With reports of new COVID-19 strains emerging in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, an Australian expert a...
Resources for journalists
Links to expert comments, media briefings and the latest COVID-19 news and research here
