Resources for Journalists

The pandemic may not have hurt babies' brain development, but it has hurt their communication

Publicly released: Sat 29 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

regardless of whether the mother had COVID-19. ... They did however find a higher risk of communication delay, which the researchers suggest could be related to external factors like parental stress and a Read more about The pandemic may not have hurt babies' brain development, but it has hurt their communication

Vaccination, Omicron and being a man could reduce your risk of long COVID

Publicly released: Fri 28 Oct 2022 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

About 14% of people surveyed in the US say they had lingering COVID-19 symptoms past two months, according to international researchers. ... About The Study: In this study of more than 16,000 individuals, Read more about Vaccination, Omicron and being a man could reduce your risk of long COVID

COVID-19 rebound: 1/3 of people report symptoms coming back

Publicly released: Fri 28 Oct 2022 at 1033 AEDT | 1233 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The study tracked symptoms over 29 days in around 150 people who had COVID-19 and were only receiving a placebo as part of a clinical trial of COVID-19 treatments. ... Over one-third of participants who Read more about COVID-19 rebound: 1/3 of people report symptoms coming back

Vaccination reduces the chance of COVID-19-related pneumonia

Publicly released: Fri 28 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces the chance of being hospitalised with pneumonia as a result of the virus, according to a study during a Delta wave in Lombardy, Italy. ... 1% of the 553 patients Read more about Vaccination reduces the chance of COVID-19-related pneumonia

Suicide among doctors in Aotearoa

Publicly released: Fri 28 Oct 2022 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Burnout has been documented to affect 45% in a consultant survey in one New Zealand hospital prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this is likely to have increased with the ... Overseas counties have found Read more about Suicide among doctors in Aotearoa

Bad news for the climate: 3 big greenhouse gases hit record highs

Publicly released: Thu 27 Oct 2022 at 1021 AEDT | 1221 NZDT

Global emissions have rebounded since the COVID-19-related lockdowns in 2020. The Bulletin also reported the biggest year-on-year jump in methane concentrations in 2021 since systematic measurements Read more about Bad news for the climate: 3 big greenhouse gases hit record highs

World-class innovators win Australia’s top prizes for engineering, technology and applied science

Publicly released: Wed 26 Oct 2022 at 2130 AEDT | 2330 NZDT

ACTIVATE 2022

Solving sustainability problems, protecting healthcare providers from COVID-19, and using technology to train next-gen pilots are among the achievements of award-winning STEM innovators recognised at Read more about World-class innovators win Australia’s top prizes for engineering, technology and applied science

‘Grey skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face’ - you can put on a smile and feel happier

Publicly released: Wed 26 Oct 2022 at 1730 AEDT | 1930 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

Collecting data from 3878 participants across 19 countries, the study found a noticeable increase in happiness from people who mimicked smiling photographs or pulled their mouth toward their ears. Read more about ‘Grey skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face’ - you can put on a smile and feel happier

Our dependence on fossil fuels continues to threaten our health

Publicly released: Wed 26 Oct 2022 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

The Lancet

Combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of infectious disease due to climate change has led to misdiagnosis, pressure on health systems, and difficulties in managing simultaneous disease Read more about Our dependence on fossil fuels continues to threaten our health

EXPERT REACTION: Federal Government releases Budget for 2022-2023

Publicly released: Tue 25 Oct 2022 at 2140 AEDT | 2340 NZDT

The Federal Government has released the Budget for 2022-2023. Below, Australian experts give their thoughts on how the Budget will impact health, the economy, research and development, the university Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Federal Government releases Budget for 2022-2023

First WHO ‘watch list’ of health-threatening fungi released

Publicly released: Tue 25 Oct 2022 at 1800 AEDT | 2000 NZDT

The WHO Fungal Priority Pathogens List ranks 19 species of highest concern, which require the greatest research and funding investment. ... During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of at least three Read more about First WHO ‘watch list’ of health-threatening fungi released

If your COVID-19 infection was severe, your heart risk is also more severe

Publicly released: Tue 25 Oct 2022 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Heart

Compared with their matched peers who hadn’t caught the virus, those who didn’t require hospital admission for COVID-19 infection were nearly 3 times as likely to have a ... The risks of all the Read more about If your COVID-19 infection was severe, your heart risk is also more severe

Researchers make strides in the fight against COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 24 Oct 2022 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Clinical & Translational Immunology

Following COVID-19 infection, virus-specific antibodies are generated, which can both neutralise the virus and clear the infection. ... In simple terms, we’ve deconstructed blood in our lab to measure Read more about Researchers make strides in the fight against COVID-19

Does Australia need a Centre for Disease Control?

Publicly released: Mon 24 Oct 2022 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

In a perspective piece, the authors argue that the threat of diseases coming from wildlife such as COVID-19 shows the importance of approaching health in a way that brings together ... Australia today Read more about Does Australia need a Centre for Disease Control?

Biomedical wonders brought to life in Art of Science exhibition

Publicly released: Fri 21 Oct 2022 at 1049 AEDT | 1249 NZDT

It has since evolved to become an annual public display of artwork, providing exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ insights into the key scientific discoveries being unearthed at WEHI, in areas Read more about Biomedical wonders brought to life in Art of Science exhibition

Data and device poverty driving digital divide

Publicly released: Thu 20 Oct 2022 at 1503 AEDT | 1703 NZDT

The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the need for internet access to do just about everything, but the sudden transition to services online left many families more digitally excluded than ever,” Read more about Data and device poverty driving digital divide

Participants needed for clinical trial to test drug treatment for dementia

Publicly released: Thu 20 Oct 2022 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

You are only able to come onsite if you:are feeling well and do not have a fever, a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or other COVID-19 or respiratory ... dayshave not been diagnosed with COVID-19 Read more about Participants needed for clinical trial to test drug treatment for dementia

Heart problems after mRNA vaccination and after COVID-19 likely have similar cause

Publicly released: Thu 20 Oct 2022 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

JACC: Basic to Translational Science

The mechanisms behind myocarditis or other rare heart problems following mRNA vaccination and similar heart problems following a COVID-19 infection may be the same, according to international Read more about Heart problems after mRNA vaccination and after COVID-19 likely have similar cause

How a country looks after its old people affects how many excess deaths COVID-19 has caused

Publicly released: Thu 20 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Countries with aging populations are likely to have seen fewer excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic if their older people have a generally higher life expectancy, according to international Read more about How a country looks after its old people affects how many excess deaths COVID-19 has caused

Under 5s' symptoms after Pfizer COVID-19 jab similar to vaccines for other conditions

Publicly released: Wed 19 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The symptoms reported in kids under five after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are comparable overall to those for approved non–SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, according to German and Read more about Under 5s' symptoms after Pfizer COVID-19 jab similar to vaccines for other conditions

Around 1-in-4 Omicron patients return a positive RAT after 7 days in iso

Publicly released: Wed 19 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

be sufficient to prevent the ongoing spread of COVID-19, the scientists say. ... They suggest people with COVID-19 wait until they return a negative RAT test before mingling with others. Read more about Around 1-in-4 Omicron patients return a positive RAT after 7 days in iso

Monkeypox conspiracies are rife on TikTok

Publicly released: Wed 19 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Between them, the conspiracy videos had clocked up nearly 1. 5m views, 74,328 likes, 7,890 comments, and 13,783 shares. ... Some of the most popular theories were that monkeypox was deliberately Read more about Monkeypox conspiracies are rife on TikTok

1 in 6 younger Australians live in poverty - Why don't we care?

Publicly released: Tue 18 Oct 2022 at 1141 AEDT | 1341 NZDT

Youth

early phase of COVID-19 (though once again families with children benefited to a lesser degree than some other groups). ... Coram, V. (2022) Perceptions of intergenerational inequality in policymaking and Read more about 1 in 6 younger Australians live in poverty - Why don't we care?

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the obesity epidemic

Publicly released: Tue 18 Oct 2022 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

The International Congress on Obesity

The Global Syndemic of obesity, undernutrition and climate change – made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, ignored at COP26, and fizzled out at the UN Food Systems Summit · The COVID pandemic Read more about The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the obesity epidemic

The start of the COVID-19 pandemic increased anxiety and depression

Publicly released: Tue 18 Oct 2022 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

International scientists, including Australians, reviewed 43 previous studies, including a total of 331,628 people, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that anxiety and depression Read more about The start of the COVID-19 pandemic increased anxiety and depression

How life expectancy has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began

Publicly released: Tue 18 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

1. COVID-19: Changes in life expectancy since COVID-19 Following a global decline in life expectancy in 2020, seven countries in Western Europe saw an incomplete but significant increase in Read more about How life expectancy has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began

Long COVID is likely to strain healthcare systems around the world

Publicly released: Mon 17 Oct 2022 at 1501 AEDT | 1701 NZDT

CMAJ

Long COVID implications: increased health care use after infection with SARS-CoV-2 A large study on the impact of long COVID found increased rates of health system use 2 months ... Researchers looked at Read more about Long COVID is likely to strain healthcare systems around the world

New way to prevent heart complications in children

Publicly released: Mon 17 Oct 2022 at 1430 AEDT | 1630 NZDT

Arthritis & Rheumatology

The specific cause of KD is unknown, but it is generally accepted that infections with common respiratory viruses, including coronavirus, can trigger the disease. ... Funding support for the research was Read more about New way to prevent heart complications in children

Viral infections are less frequent but more severe in people with Down Syndrome

Publicly released: Sat 15 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Immunity

Increased rates of hospitalization of people with Down syndrome have been documented for influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus Read more about Viral infections are less frequent but more severe in people with Down Syndrome

How did COVID-19 impact Aussies' wellbeing?

Publicly released: Fri 14 Oct 2022 at 1115 AEDT | 1315 NZDT

PLOS ONE

The team suggests this is likely due to the different COVID-19 circumstances at the time, with the survey coming before Australia saw high cases, and while France still had heavy Read more about How did COVID-19 impact Aussies' wellbeing?

Europe experienced a 14% decrease in babies born nine months after the start of COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 14 Oct 2022 at 1005 AEDT | 1205 NZDT

Human Reproduction

Europe saw a 14% decrease in live births in January 2021, just nine to ten months after the first peak of the COVID-19 epidemic and the first lockdowns, compared to ... They looked at data from 24 Read more about Europe experienced a 14% decrease in babies born nine months after the start of COVID-19

New Fellows elected to Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences

Publicly released: Thu 13 Oct 2022 at 1800 AEDT | 2000 NZDT

As an immunologist, and NHMRC Leadership Fellow, Professor Yu is Chair in Paediatric Immunotherapy and the inaugural director of the Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research at The Read more about New Fellows elected to Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences

Working from home usually boosts productivity, but less so during the pandemic

Publicly released: Thu 13 Oct 2022 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Working from home can often boost productivity but this was less likely to be the case during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a review by Australian and international researchers. ... The team chose Read more about Working from home usually boosts productivity, but less so during the pandemic

Lockdowns may have impeded pandemic babies’ social skills

Publicly released: Wed 12 Oct 2022 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Archives of Disease in Childhood

The enforced isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns may have impeded the social communication skills of babies born during these periods, according to Irish scientists. ... Before the advent Read more about Lockdowns may have impeded pandemic babies’ social skills

How common is Long COVID?

Publicly released: Tue 11 Oct 2022 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

JAMA

2 million individuals (from 22 countries) who had symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2020 and 2021 and survived the acute phase, an estimated 6. ... onset. The risk of Long COVID was greater in females Read more about How common is Long COVID?

EXPERT REACTION: What do Omicron-specific vaccines mean for Australia's COVID-19 immunity?

Publicly released: Mon 10 Oct 2022 at 1630 AEDT | 1830 NZDT

This week, the first COVID-19 vaccines designed to target Omicron are being rolled out in Australia. ... The vaccine, from Moderna, comprises mRNA from the original COVID-19 variant as well as Omicron BA. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: What do Omicron-specific vaccines mean for Australia's COVID-19 immunity?

How do we reduce the global stigma around mental health?

Publicly released: Mon 10 Oct 2022 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

The Lancet Commissions

Experts say we know how to end stigma and discrimination in mental health and, with the global rise in rates of mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is ... 7]Co-author Charlene Read more about How do we reduce the global stigma around mental health?

Fatigued Aussies face a 'perfect storm' of climate change-fuelled disasters

Publicly released: Mon 10 Oct 2022 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)

Tragically, 34 people died, and the losses of $1. 9 billion in insurance claims exceeded the Black Saturday fires of 2009. ... To 12 September 2022, Australia has reported 10 112 229 confirmed cases of Read more about Fatigued Aussies face a 'perfect storm' of climate change-fuelled disasters

COVID-19 vaccines could save the lives of patients who require intubation

Publicly released: Sat 8 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Vaccinated people who require intubation for COVID-19 may have a higher chance of survival than unvaccinated people who require intubation, according to a small international study. ... The team looked at Read more about COVID-19 vaccines could save the lives of patients who require intubation

Voice screening App delivers rapid results for Parkinson’s and severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 6 Oct 2022 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine

A new screening test App could help advance the early detection of Parkinson’s disease and severe COVID-19, improving the management of these illnesses. ... Voice Features of Sustained Phoneme as Read more about Voice screening App delivers rapid results for Parkinson’s and severe COVID-19

Providing the data needed to stop monkeypox in its TraX

Publicly released: Wed 5 Oct 2022 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

We know that the community is very concerned about MPX and are eager to do whatever they can to protect themselves and others from the virus,” says Mr Heath Paynter from ... says. “Our recent Read more about Providing the data needed to stop monkeypox in its TraX

Higher scrutiny of COVID-19 research likely causing more retractions, but not for misconduct

Publicly released: Wed 5 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The review found that retracted COVID-19 studies had more experienced first and last authors, and were more likely to be retracted for non-misconduct-related concerns. ... The researchers say this may Read more about Higher scrutiny of COVID-19 research likely causing more retractions, but not for misconduct

Can time-restricted eating, HIIT, or a combo of both help heart health?

Publicly released: Wed 5 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Cell Metabolism

The exercise sessions were supervised by the investigators, and the participants were asked to log their first and last calories every day. ... The study also took place during COVID-19 lockdowns, which Read more about Can time-restricted eating, HIIT, or a combo of both help heart health?

How sport helped boys during COVID-19’s first wave

Publicly released: Tue 4 Oct 2022 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Youth & Society

Boys involved in team sports during the COVID-19 pandemic have reported better general, physical and mental health than girls who also played sport, according to new research by Flinders University. Read more about How sport helped boys during COVID-19’s first wave

COVID-19 vaccines do not affect pregnancy outcomes

Publicly released: Tue 4 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

The findings show COVID-19 vaccination is safe and beneficial for pregnant people, who should be encouraged to have COVID-19 jabs, the authors conclude. ... COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was Read more about COVID-19 vaccines do not affect pregnancy outcomes

Depression more than doubles in Aussie teen girls over the last 14 years

Publicly released: Tue 4 Oct 2022 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

There are also worrying signs of an increase in depressive symptoms in children since the COVID-19 pandemic,” warns Professor Sam Harvey, Executive Director and Chief Scientist of the Black Dog Read more about Depression more than doubles in Aussie teen girls over the last 14 years

Sustained training key to support health services to cope with challenges

Publicly released: Mon 3 Oct 2022 at 0913 AEDT | 1113 NZDT

PLOS Global Public Health

New research shows health systems can cope better with unprecedented challenges like COVID-19, through sustained staff training and support. ... High COVID-19 case numbers had devastating impacts on TB Read more about Sustained training key to support health services to cope with challenges

EXPERT REACTION: Mandatory COVID-19 isolation to be dropped

Publicly released: Fri 30 Sep 2022 at 1330 AEST | 1630 NZDT

From October 14, Australians will no longer have to isolate after testing positive for COVID-19. ... The chief medical officer Paul Kelly says the decision marks the likely end of the emergency pandemic Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Mandatory COVID-19 isolation to be dropped

Young Australians face lifetime of labour change

Publicly released: Fri 30 Sep 2022 at 1200 AEST | 1500 NZDT

Journal of Youth Studies

Associate Professor Cedulla adds the COVID-19 pandemic has presented the latest challenges to regular work and employment, following a period of rapid change which emerged in the 1970s and 1980s Read more about Young Australians face lifetime of labour change