Resources for Journalists

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?

Walking 4,000 steps daily is enough to reduce your risk of death

Publicly released: Wed 9 Aug 2023 at 0905 AEST | 1105 NZST

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology

2 million deaths a year related to physical inactivity. The COVID-19 pandemic also resulted in a reduction in physical activity, and activity levels have not recovered two years on from ... of steps, both Read more about Walking 4,000 steps daily is enough to reduce your risk of death

Nose-pickers may be more likely to catch COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 3 Aug 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

Picking your nose may increase your risk of catching COVID-19, according to Dutch researchers who investigated how seemingly innocuous behaviour or physical features like having a beard or wearing Read more about Nose-pickers may be more likely to catch COVID-19

Lockdowns create global appetite for feeding feathered friends

Publicly released: Thu 3 Aug 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

Professor Jones, alongside lead author Associate Professor Jackie Doremus from California Polytechnic State University and Dr Liqing Li from Texas A&M University, investigated two interdependent Read more about Lockdowns create global appetite for feeding feathered friends

AI-based wastewater sampling predicts COVID-19 pressure on hospitals

Publicly released: Tue 1 Aug 2023 at 1230 AEST | 1430 NZST

Nature Communications

My PhD focused on sewer design to reduce concrete corrosion, however I graduated right around the time of COVID-19 and saw an opportunity to monitor and study the pandemic,” said ... I’m grateful for Read more about AI-based wastewater sampling predicts COVID-19 pressure on hospitals

Activewear angst: Why shopping for workout clothes can be harmful to women

Publicly released: Tue 1 Aug 2023 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

International Journal of Consumer Studies & Body Image

Sales of “Athleisure” —a hybrid style of athletic clothing typically worn as everyday wear — have risen rapidly following the onset of COVID-19 and are expected to be worth more than Read more about Activewear angst: Why shopping for workout clothes can be harmful to women

Swine flu strain has passed from humans to pigs nearly 400 times since 2009

Publicly released: Fri 28 Jul 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Pathogens

2020, when human pdm09  infection rates dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... In 2020 and 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, pdm09 circulation among humans dropped, but pdm09 circulation persisted Read more about Swine flu strain has passed from humans to pigs nearly 400 times since 2009

Republicans were more likely to die from COVID-19 than Democrats once vaccines became available

Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

A study which examined over 500,000 deaths in Florida and Ohio during the pandemic has found that death rates were significantly higher for Republican voters than Democratic voters after ... in Read more about Republicans were more likely to die from COVID-19 than Democrats once vaccines became available

Food insecurity linked to higher risk of mental health problems in children and teens

Publicly released: Mon 24 Jul 2023 at 1401 AEST | 1601 NZST

Canadian Medical Association Journal

0%) in marginally food-insecure, 2348 (7. 3%) in moderately food-insecure and 916 (2. ... The data are also almost a decade old, and food insecurity has increased in recent years, especially during the Read more about Food insecurity linked to higher risk of mental health problems in children and teens

HIV transmission virtually eliminated in Inner Sydney, Australia

Publicly released: Mon 24 Jul 2023 at 0837 AEST | 1037 NZST

IAS 2023

While Australia achieved the 90-90-90 targets in 2020 and saw declines in new HIV diagnoses during the COVID-19 crisis, achieving the more ambitious 95-95-95 targets will ... 8% vs. 46. 5%). The study Read more about HIV transmission virtually eliminated in Inner Sydney, Australia

Antioxidant ‘bee glue’ creates buzz for new Australian industry

Publicly released: Fri 21 Jul 2023 at 0600 AEST | 0800 NZST

Nature Scientific Reports among others

It usually contains beeswax, bee saliva and resin from the native and non-native plants that bees pollinate. ... the possibility of adjunct treatments for cancers and COVID-19. Read more about Antioxidant ‘bee glue’ creates buzz for new Australian industry

Harnessing mRNA technology to develop powerful malaria vaccines

Publicly released: Fri 21 Jul 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Immunology

Trans-Tasman research collaborators from Te Herenga Waka— Victoria University of Wellington’s Ferrier Research Institute and the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research in New Zealand, and the Read more about Harnessing mRNA technology to develop powerful malaria vaccines

IAS 2023 highlights advances in HIV prevention, treatment and cure research

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jul 2023 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

IAS 2023

The science presented at this conference will guide rollout of game-changing prevention tools like long-acting PrEP, shed light on how to reduce the impact of mpox and COVID-19 ... Abstract and session: Read more about IAS 2023 highlights advances in HIV prevention, treatment and cure research

Gene variant common among COVID-19 patients who don't have symptoms

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jul 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature

fight infection, had a strong immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal coronaviruses in those people with the HLA-B15 gene. ... The fact that people who carry the HLA-B15 gene have high levels of Read more about Gene variant common among COVID-19 patients who don't have symptoms

New markers could help predict how severely individuals will react to COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jul 2023 at 1644 AEST | 1844 NZST

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

COVID-19 is one of the most complex systemic diseases that we have ever studied and it keeps throwing up new surprises,” Professor Nicholson said. ... Importantly, there are many connections between the Read more about New markers could help predict how severely individuals will react to COVID-19

Fishing grew as a hobby during the pandemic

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jul 2023 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Science

High-resolution app data reveal sustained increases in recreational fishing effort in Europe during and after COVID-19 lockdownsCOVID-19 pandemic slowed down human activity and, occasionally, allowed Read more about Fishing grew as a hobby during the pandemic

Good leadership needed to solve professional civil engineer shortage

Publicly released: Tue 18 Jul 2023 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

Journal of Management in Engineering

It’s a worldwide problem and Australia, until recently, was able to rely upon migrant engineers to fill labour market shortages but recent global challenges – namely the COVID 19 Pandemic - have Read more about Good leadership needed to solve professional civil engineer shortage

Wind and solar remain the lowest cost new build electricity generation sources despite inflationary pressures

Publicly released: Tue 18 Jul 2023 at 0600 AEST | 0800 NZST

GenCost is an annual collaboration between CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) that actively consults industry stakeholders to revise domestic electricity generation and storage, Read more about Wind and solar remain the lowest cost new build electricity generation sources despite inflationary pressures

Discovery could lead to more treatments to prevent cancer and infectious diseases

Publicly released: Mon 17 Jul 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Science Immunology

cells better, they could be harnessed to help prevent cancer and highly infectious diseases such as COVID-19, Strep A and tuberculosis Researchers have cracked how a particular type of immune Read more about Discovery could lead to more treatments to prevent cancer and infectious diseases

Childhood obesity increased during and after COVID-19 restrictions

Publicly released: Sat 15 Jul 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Childhood obesity, especially among US children aged 5 to 11 years, was significantly higher after COVID-19 restrictions were imposed, new research suggests. ... The study also found the obesity levels Read more about Childhood obesity increased during and after COVID-19 restrictions

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy could help protect bub in their first 6 months of life

Publicly released: Sat 15 Jul 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy could help protect your baby in their first 6 months of life. ... The study of 76 women who were vaccinated with either Read more about Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy could help protect bub in their first 6 months of life

COVID-19-era payments show increasing income support reduces demand for charity

Publicly released: Thu 13 Jul 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

The increases in income support that people in Australia received during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced their reliance on charity, with new research showing that an $18-a-day increase is ... Army in Read more about COVID-19-era payments show increasing income support reduces demand for charity

COVID-19 cases continue to feel symptoms long-term

Publicly released: Fri 7 Jul 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

NZMJ

This study looked at the presence of ongoing symptoms and abnormalities in blood samples in confirmed cases of COVID-19 from the first wave within the Greater Wellington Region. ... 7 years after first Read more about COVID-19 cases continue to feel symptoms long-term

Wastewater monitoring could act as pandemic early warning system

Publicly released: Fri 7 Jul 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

The Lancet Global Health

For the study, samples from treatment plants, rivers, wetlands and open drains were reported from 43 nations, spanning six continents, during a year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. ... The research, Read more about Wastewater monitoring could act as pandemic early warning system

Tweens use screens for a third of their after-school time

Publicly released: Fri 7 Jul 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

NZMJ

The screen use was mostly dominated by television and computers, with tablets and phones being a lower proportion. ... Screen use rose rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and children in 2023 are Read more about Tweens use screens for a third of their after-school time

Women from refugee backgrounds at higher risk of mental distress due to COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 6 Jul 2023 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

PLOS Global Public Health

They've lost everything,” Ms Nadar says. Ms Nadar saw that for this group of women, the COVID-19 pandemic resurfaced trauma and exacerbated existing mental health issues. ... Rees says. “We need to be Read more about Women from refugee backgrounds at higher risk of mental distress due to COVID-19

More than half of new drugs add little to existing treatments

Publicly released: Thu 6 Jul 2023 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

The BMJ

The system’s current performance does not meet the expectations of patients and the public, clinicians, or policy makers,” she writes. ... Having experienced the potential of a coordinated drug Read more about More than half of new drugs add little to existing treatments

Global efforts to reduce infectious diseases must extend beyond early childhood

Publicly released: Wed 5 Jul 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

The Lancet

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent epidemics of Zika virus, Ebola and severe acute respiratory syndrome underscore the urgent need to take stock of infectious disease control,” he said. ... The unfinished Read more about Global efforts to reduce infectious diseases must extend beyond early childhood

Escaping exploitation with nowhere to go: Barriers in accommodating survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery

Publicly released: Tue 4 Jul 2023 at 1220 AEST | 1420 NZST

The Anti-Trafficking Review

We know we are in the middle of a severe housing crisis, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected housing affordability and the availability of rental properties and accommodation Read more about Escaping exploitation with nowhere to go: Barriers in accommodating survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery

Coronavirus inflammatory marker testing could save lives

Publicly released: Tue 4 Jul 2023 at 1123 AEST | 1323 NZST

Frontiers in Immunology

With vaccinations leading to high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the World Health Organization recently highlighted the decreasing trend in COVID-19 deaths, the decline in COVID-19 Read more about Coronavirus inflammatory marker testing could save lives

Voluntourism still a 'neo-colonial practice' despite new focus on cultural exchange

Publicly released: Fri 30 Jun 2023 at 1010 AEST | 1210 NZST

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Voluntourism is a controversial mix of overseas volunteer work and more traditional tourist experiences that before the Covid-19 pandemic some estimated to be a US$2 billion industry annually. Read more about Voluntourism still a 'neo-colonial practice' despite new focus on cultural exchange

Rising monkey and pig populations pose human disease risk

Publicly released: Fri 30 Jun 2023 at 0938 AEST | 1138 NZST

Biological Reviews

The wildlife origins of the COVID-19 pandemic show that mammals in human-modified ecosystems often host high pathogen loads and pose serious zoonotic disease risks,” he said. ... The research is Read more about Rising monkey and pig populations pose human disease risk

How COVID-19 affected dental services in Fiji

Publicly released: Fri 30 Jun 2023 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

PLOS ONE

COVID-19 has had a big impact on how dental clinics practice, given how the virus spreads, but no research has been done until now about how the pandemic affected services ... They report that most Fijian Read more about How COVID-19 affected dental services in Fiji

New drug could one day treat long COVID and prevent re-infection

Publicly released: Tue 27 Jun 2023 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Nature Communications

A new drug developed by QIMR Berghofer could transform the treatment of COVID-19 by potentially protecting against infection by any SARS-CoV-2 variant and reversing the persistent inflammation that Read more about New drug could one day treat long COVID and prevent re-infection