Resources for Journalists

Gender-affirming surgery in the US almost triples in 3 years

Publicly released: Thu 24 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

US scientists say gender-affirming surgery in the USA nearly tripled between 2016 and 2019, before dropping off in 2020 as COVID-19 hit. ... The team looked at health records of 48,019 patients who Read more about Gender-affirming surgery in the US almost triples in 3 years

Poor access to mental health services linked to suicide hotspots

Publicly released: Wed 23 Aug 2023 at 1515 AEST | 1715 NZST

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

This is a real missed opportunity for youth suicide prevention and the prevention of suicide clusters,” Dr Hill said. ... WA has the nation’s highest population growth following COVID-19. This paper Read more about Poor access to mental health services linked to suicide hotspots

Mortal wombat: Social distancing can't save critters from deadly mange

Publicly released: Wed 23 Aug 2023 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Biology Letters

Social distancing may have helped curb COVID-19, but it doesn't appear to help stop the spread of deadly sarcoptic mange in wombats, according to Australian researchers. ... Over the study period, four Read more about Mortal wombat: Social distancing can't save critters from deadly mange

Poor report card for Aussie children’s wellbeing

Publicly released: Wed 23 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

While COVID-19 lockdowns are no longer mandated, the stress and anxiety of the pandemic still lingers, especially among young South Australians, say health experts at the University of South Australia Read more about Poor report card for Aussie children’s wellbeing

Australia experiences intense surge in Strep A cases, similar to northern hemisphere wave

Publicly released: Wed 23 Aug 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

the increase was likely due to a combination of environmental factors such as reduced social contact during COVID-19 public health interventions, which changed viruses in circulation. ... Dr Abo said Read more about Australia experiences intense surge in Strep A cases, similar to northern hemisphere wave

Building a stronger industry image will boost hospitality employment

Publicly released: Tue 22 Aug 2023 at 0940 AEST | 1140 NZST

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated talent challenges faced by hospitality organisations when prolonged closures led to many workers leaving the industry to pursue other employment. ” ... Attracting Read more about Building a stronger industry image will boost hospitality employment

What can we learn from the link between COVID-19 and neurological problems?

Publicly released: Tue 22 Aug 2023 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

A wide range of neurological problems have been reported as symptoms of COVID-19, from headaches to seizures and Guillain–Barré syndrome. ... He says assessing the link between COVID-19 and many of Read more about What can we learn from the link between COVID-19 and neurological problems?

Should mask rules remain in healthcare settings?

Publicly released: Tue 22 Aug 2023 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Mask-wearing should continue in healthcare settings, according to US public health experts who argue infection from SARS-CoV-2 is still a threat, especially to the most vulnerable patients, and Read more about Should mask rules remain in healthcare settings?

How did COVID-19 severity in kids change as the pandemic progressed?

Publicly released: Tue 22 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

The severity of COVID-19 in children appears to have decreased over the course of the pandemics as the virus mutated, according to Australian and international researchers. ... International Pediatric Read more about How did COVID-19 severity in kids change as the pandemic progressed?

Tiny worms help with a huge health problem

Publicly released: Mon 21 Aug 2023 at 1107 AEST | 1307 NZST

Nature Communications

All trial participants had risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. ... That was an interesting observation as well, given that much of the trial took place during the first Read more about Tiny worms help with a huge health problem

COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe cases in children

Publicly released: Mon 21 Aug 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

BMJ Paediatrics Open

However, with most children now having caught the SARS-CoV-2 virus and building up a natural immunity, the additional benefit of vaccination in healthy children is minimal. ... However, with most children Read more about COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe cases in children

EXPERT Q&A: The origins of SARS-CoV-2

Publicly released: Fri 18 Aug 2023 at 1030 AEST | 1230 NZST

As the debate continues about the origins of COVID-19 and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the AusSMC asked Professor Dominic Dwyer, a Medical Virologist at Westmead Hospital and the University ... of Sydney, to Read more about EXPERT Q&A: The origins of SARS-CoV-2

Undermining science undermines us all

Publicly released: Fri 18 Aug 2023 at 1030 AEST | 1230 NZST

to the origin of SARS-CoV-2 reflects a worrying pattern of deliberate undermining of public trust in science at a time when policymakers need to inform their decisions with rigorously ... The current Read more about Undermining science undermines us all

Racism and discrimination linked to poor mental health in young Aussies during COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 18 Aug 2023 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Australian Journal of Social Issues

likely to have experienced racism or discrimination, and were more likely to have their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The study also found that experiences of discrimination, racism and Read more about Racism and discrimination linked to poor mental health in young Aussies during COVID-19

New rapid test for deadly mozzie-borne virus

Publicly released: Thu 17 Aug 2023 at 1700 AEST | 1900 NZST

Gates Open Research

We developed a rapid test, with results that look similar to a COVID-19 home stick test, for each of the four types of dengue virus,” Dr Macdonald said. ... She said the innovative method involved a Read more about New rapid test for deadly mozzie-borne virus

Pandemics likely have negative effects on our bubs

Publicly released: Thu 17 Aug 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

researchers, who add that similar patterns are recently being seen for COVID-19. ... exposed to both the 1918 pandemic and COVID-19. Read more about Pandemics likely have negative effects on our bubs

These 52 US doctors spread a heap of COVID-19 misinformation

Publicly released: Wed 16 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Fifty-two doctors in the US spread COVID-19 misinformation online about vaccines, treatments, and masks, and many had a wide reach based on their number of followers, according to US ... Communication of Read more about These 52 US doctors spread a heap of COVID-19 misinformation

Hookworms could offer protection from severe COVID-19 symptoms

Publicly released: Sat 12 Aug 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

Science Immunology

new. Most recently we’ve seen this effect in the Covid pandemic, where it is thought that people recovering from a SARS-CoV-2 infection have a few weeks of relative ... The result was that these helminth Read more about Hookworms could offer protection from severe COVID-19 symptoms

Genetic blueprint for vaccine and therapeutics production in plants

Publicly released: Fri 11 Aug 2023 at 1814 AEST | 2014 NZST

Nature Plants

plant has already been used to produce COVID-19 vaccinesThe research, published in Nature Plants, has determined the complete genome sequence of this plant, which has been used in the production Read more about Genetic blueprint for vaccine and therapeutics production in plants

EXPERT REACTION: How will new COVID-19 subvariant Eris impact Australia?

Publicly released: Wed 9 Aug 2023 at 1335 AEST | 1535 NZST

The new COVID subvariant EG. 5. 1, or Eris, is fast becoming one of the most prevalent in the United Kingdom and United States. ... Experts say the same thing could happen in Australia. See their full Read more about EXPERT REACTION: How will new COVID-19 subvariant Eris impact Australia?