How modelling helped our COVID response

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1220 AEDT | 1420 NZDT

Multiple models helped achieve the successful pandemic management strategies implemented in Australia at both state and national level, yesterday’s first Cosmos Briefing was told. Professor Jodie McVernon, form Doherty Epidemiology, and Read more about How modelling helped our COVID response

Cocktail of antibodies can cut COVID-19 viral load

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

NEJM

A study carried out and funded by pharmaceutical company Regeneron tested the firm's cocktail of antibodies known as REGN-COV2 on 275 COVID-19 patients with mild disease, and found administering the cocktail reduced the amount of virus circulating Read more about Cocktail of antibodies can cut COVID-19 viral load

Trial data confirms two doses of Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine are better than one

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1144 AEDT | 1344 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Having two doses of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine known as, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, produces a better immune response than a single dose, according to two new research papers. The studies looked at a full dose followed by either a full dose or half Read more about Trial data confirms two doses of Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine are better than one

COVID-19 is now the USA's biggest killer

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

JAMA

The uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in the USA means it is currently the leading cause of death in the country, overtaking heart disease and cancer, according to a 'Viewpoint' article by US scientists. Between November 1st 2020, and December 13th, Read more about COVID-19 is now the USA's biggest killer

Released captive quolls able to hunt in the wild, even munching on a penguin

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1111 AEDT | 1311 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Captive bread eastern quolls that were released into Booderee National Park can hunt small mammals, invertebrates, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, but also make use of supplementary feed stations, say Australian researchers. The study analysed Read more about Released captive quolls able to hunt in the wild, even munching on a penguin

Dad’s health can affect pregnancy too

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

Human Reproduction

Poor health in men is linked to higher risk of pregnancy loss in their partners. A review of nearly one million US medical insurance records found that if the father-to-be has three or more medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood Read more about Dad’s health can affect pregnancy too

COVID-19 is more severe than flu

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

A comparison of data from over 130,000 hospitalised patients in France confirms that COVID-19 is more severe than flu. The French researchers say nearly twice as many people were admitted to hospital for COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic than Read more about COVID-19 is more severe than flu

Mozzie recognition – AI used to identify mosquito species

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Researchers in the US have used neural networks, a form of artificial intelligence, to classify mosquitoes. Mosquito species can be hard to distinguish, even by specialists, and this makes it hard to identify those that transmit diseases. Using Read more about Mozzie recognition – AI used to identify mosquito species

EXPERT REACTION: Could wildfire smoke spread infectious diseases?

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

In addition to being hazardous to breathe in, wildfire smoke could carry infectious bacteria and fungi with it as well. Two US researchers write in an article for Science that, despite the heat, wildfire conditions can create airborne pockets where Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Could wildfire smoke spread infectious diseases?

Fewer gut worms, more diabetes in NZ-bound refugees

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

Refugees arriving in New Zealand have far fewer infectious diseases, but more chronic conditions like diabetes than they did in the 1980s, research finds. The study authors say it's likely because most NZ-bound refugees now come through private Read more about Fewer gut worms, more diabetes in NZ-bound refugees