Resources for Journalists

EXPERT REACTION: Should we be concerned about the rise in respiratory illnesses in China?

Publicly released: Fri 24 Nov 2023 at 1320 AEDT | 1520 NZDT

China is currently seeing an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children, according to the World Health Organization. ... The WHO this week made an official request to Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Should we be concerned about the rise in respiratory illnesses in China?

Fractional COVID-19 booster vaccines produce similar immune response as full-doses

Publicly released: Fri 24 Nov 2023 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

The study is the first of its kind to assess and compare COVID-19 vaccines widely used in low- and middle-income countries. ... Fractional dosing may improve COVID-19 booster acceptability and uptake and Read more about Fractional COVID-19 booster vaccines produce similar immune response as full-doses

Getting vaxxed before you catch COVID may help you avoid long COVID

Publicly released: Thu 23 Nov 2023 at 1432 AEDT | 1632 NZDT

The BMJ

The effectiveness of covid-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe complications of acute covid-19 are already known, but their effectiveness against long covid is less clear because Read more about Getting vaxxed before you catch COVID may help you avoid long COVID

Sales data could help improve disease surveillance

Publicly released: Wed 22 Nov 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

weather data, to predict weekly deaths from respiratory diseases, such as the flu and bronchitis. ... The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of producing accurate forecasts of respiratory Read more about Sales data could help improve disease surveillance

Turning back the clock on brains aged by COVID

Publicly released: Wed 22 Nov 2023 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Nature Aging

We found COVID-19 accelerates the presence of ‘zombie’ or senescent cells, which accumulate naturally and gradually in the brain as we get older,” Dr Aguado said. ... rejuvenated the brain and Read more about Turning back the clock on brains aged by COVID

1060 million people with ‘other’ musculoskeletal disorders by 2050

Publicly released: Mon 20 Nov 2023 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

The Lancet Rheumatology

across 204 countries and territories to measure the prevalence, years of life lived with disability and population data to identify the 2050 projection. ... A factor which may add to the projection of Read more about 1060 million people with ‘other’ musculoskeletal disorders by 2050

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on preschool kids a mixed bag

Publicly released: Fri 17 Nov 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Canadian scientists say preschool kids exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country have better problem-solving skills and fine movement skills compared with kids who grew up before the Read more about Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on preschool kids a mixed bag

An Aussie is hospitalised with head injuries every four minutes

Publicly released: Thu 16 Nov 2023 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

4% each year. Following a lull in 2019–20 due to COVID–19, head injury hospitalisation rates increased by 6. ... 8 hospitalisations per 100,000 population in 2020-21). Following a decline in 2019–20, Read more about An Aussie is hospitalised with head injuries every four minutes

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during but not before pregnancy can help protect the baby from Omicron

Publicly released: Sat 11 Nov 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The researchers looked at Singapore's national health data to identify babies who had at least one parent infected with COVID-19 during their first six months of life, and compared ... which babies got Read more about Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during but not before pregnancy can help protect the baby from Omicron

Have COVID-19 patients who lost their taste or smell recovered after 3 years?

Publicly released: Fri 10 Nov 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

The team recruited 100 people with mild COVID-19 and 100 who hadn't had the virus and tested their ability to taste and smell, testing the COVID-19 group again ... Among COVID-19 patients, 64. 5% lost Read more about Have COVID-19 patients who lost their taste or smell recovered after 3 years?

Getting vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 at the same time appears to give you similar protection

Publicly released: Thu 9 Nov 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

You can probably get vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu on the same day without impacting the level of protection you get from either vaccine, according to a study from vaccine ... They say patients who Read more about Getting vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 at the same time appears to give you similar protection

Animal-to-human virus epidemics are rapidly becoming larger and more frequent

Publicly released: Fri 3 Nov 2023 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

BMJ Global Health

SARS Coronavirus 1, but did not include the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The researchers focused on Filoviruses (Ebola virus, Marburg virus), SARS Coronavirus 1, Nipah virus, and Machupo virus, which causes Read more about Animal-to-human virus epidemics are rapidly becoming larger and more frequent

Climate change is harming our health but climate services save lives

Publicly released: Thu 2 Nov 2023 at 2200 AEDT | Fri 3 Nov 2023 at 0000 NZDT

Currently, just 0. 2% of total bilateral and multilateral adaptation finance supports projects that identify health as the primary focus, and the investment in the capacity for multisectoral and Read more about Climate change is harming our health but climate services save lives

How does COVID-19 affect immunocompromised people differently?

Publicly released: Thu 2 Nov 2023 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

PLOS ONE

The team recruited 27 immunocompromised COVID-19 patients; 12 with blood cancers or conditions, eight with secondary immunosuppression and seven with primary or acquired immunodeficiency from Read more about How does COVID-19 affect immunocompromised people differently?

Pandemic compliance rules are confused by slow science and misinformation

Publicly released: Thu 2 Nov 2023 at 0820 AEDT | 1020 NZDT

Policy and Society

A new study in the international journal Policy and Society found gaps in knowledge about the first and subsequent COVID-19 virus prevention led to sometimes confusing government messaging, which Read more about Pandemic compliance rules are confused by slow science and misinformation

Evidence shows that masks reduce transmission in a pandemic

Publicly released: Wed 1 Nov 2023 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Viruses that are spread by the respiratory system can lead to pandemics such as COVID-19, and face masks provide an important layer of protection. ... viruses. Robust available data support the use of Read more about Evidence shows that masks reduce transmission in a pandemic

Males’ immune response to a virus-like challenge alters their offspring’s behaviour

Publicly released: Tue 31 Oct 2023 at 1550 AEDT | 1750 NZDT

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

The researchers are calling urgently for more studies to explore what this might mean to human development and brain health in the wake of widespread COVID-19 and flu infections. ... With many men of child Read more about Males’ immune response to a virus-like challenge alters their offspring’s behaviour

How do lingering COVID-19 symptoms affect your quality of life?

Publicly released: Wed 25 Oct 2023 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature Communications

Over 250,000 people involved in a British COVID-19 study filled out a questionnaire about their experiences with the virus; with about 130,000 of the participants reporting at least ... The researchers Read more about How do lingering COVID-19 symptoms affect your quality of life?

Australian health spending up by 6% in 2021/2022

Publicly released: Wed 25 Oct 2023 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

9%) in real terms to $84. 1 billion, which was associated with increased spending related to the pandemic, such as COVID-19 vaccines and personal protective equipment. ... 2 billion by state and territory Read more about Australian health spending up by 6% in 2021/2022

How to slow the spread of deadly ‘superbugs’

Publicly released: Tue 24 Oct 2023 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Nature Review Genetics

and the University of South Australia. ... The use of genomic tracing during the Covid-19 pandemic has provided insight into the potential of genomic technologies to monitor the development and spread of Read more about How to slow the spread of deadly ‘superbugs’