Resources for Journalists

Long COVID patients show immunological improvement two years after infection

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2024 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

Nature Communications

The ADAPT study followed people who contracted COVID-19 during Australia’s first wave, as well as a matched control group, for up to two years. ... of COVID-19, and it is a group in which the initial Read more about Long COVID patients show immunological improvement two years after infection

EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 vaccines likely prevented nearly 18,000 deaths in NSW's early Omicron era

Publicly released: Wed 17 Apr 2024 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

The team used a simulation of NSW's vaccination and COVID-19 death rates in people aged 50 or older to see how vaccination and how second and third doses impacted ... COVID-19 deaths, and predict what Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 vaccines likely prevented nearly 18,000 deaths in NSW's early Omicron era

Important health information missing in online food delivery menus

Publicly released: Sun 14 Apr 2024 at 2301 AEST | Mon 15 Apr 2024 at 0101 NZST

Public Health Nutrition

rapidly, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... One of the aims of the 2021-2030 National Preventive Health Strategy is to improve access to and the consumption of a healthy diet,” says Dr Gibson. Read more about Important health information missing in online food delivery menus

Post-Covid kids aren't walking to school like they used to

Publicly released: Fri 12 Apr 2024 at 0914 AEST | 1114 NZST

Journal of Transport & Health

The Covid lockdown period has disrupted Kiwi kids who walk to school, with students 42% less likely to return to their usual walking commute, new research finds. ... The authors say that restoring the Read more about Post-Covid kids aren't walking to school like they used to

Young drinkers are ending up in ED less

Publicly released: Fri 12 Apr 2024 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

The majority of all drinking-related patients had last imbibed at a private residence, purchased their drink from an off-license, and were most likely drinking beer (31%). ... Over the three waves of the Read more about Young drinkers are ending up in ED less

CORRECTION: EXPERT REACTION: Australia [has not] recorded zero COVID-19 deaths for at least a week 

Publicly released: Thu 11 Apr 2024 at 1430 AEST | 1630 NZST

Media reports based on data from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care had suggested Australia recorded no deaths associated with COVID-19 for a week, although experts have Read more about CORRECTION: EXPERT REACTION: Australia [has not] recorded zero COVID-19 deaths for at least a week 

An immune cell in the lung may be an unexpected trigger for developing severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 11 Apr 2024 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Journal of Experimental Medicine

Stanford Medicine study flags unexpected cells in lung as suspected source of severe COVID The lung-cell type that’s most susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that ... SARS-CoV-2-infected Read more about An immune cell in the lung may be an unexpected trigger for developing severe COVID-19

With flu season approaching, does wearing a face mask make you seem more or less trustworthy?

Publicly released: Tue 9 Apr 2024 at 1230 AEST | 1430 NZST

Perception

Researchers have found that the correlation between face masks and perceptions of trustworthiness may be linked to social norms rather than how they impact appearance. ... During the global COVID-19 Read more about With flu season approaching, does wearing a face mask make you seem more or less trustworthy?

Sleep apnoea mouthguard could be just as effective for lowering blood pressure as a CPAP machine

Publicly released: Mon 8 Apr 2024 at 1600 AEST | 1800 NZST

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Both groups saw a reduction in daytime sleepiness and the results showed no between-group differences in cardiovascular biomarkers. ... Chi-Hang also said that the timing of the study, which was conducted Read more about Sleep apnoea mouthguard could be just as effective for lowering blood pressure as a CPAP machine

Pandemic motherhood and mental overload in Aotearoa

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2024 at 1042 AEDT | 1242 NZDT

Frontiers in Sociology

Researchers interviewed a diverse group of 24 mothers living in Aotearoa during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand their shared and varied experiences. ... However, for all mothers, it was the return of Read more about Pandemic motherhood and mental overload in Aotearoa

Uncovering the consequences of Molnupiravir use to treat COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2024 at 0939 AEDT | 1139 NZDT

The Lancet

In the study, researchers monitored the COVID-19 genetic sequences of patients with persistent infections and found those treated with the drug rapidly accumulated hundreds of new mutations across Read more about Uncovering the consequences of Molnupiravir use to treat COVID-19

mRNA therapy could help people with a rare metabolic disorder

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2024 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature

Some vaccines against COVID-19 used mRNA-based therapies, which deliver the instructions for making specific proteins into the body; in the case of COVID-19 vaccines, these are proteins that Read more about mRNA therapy could help people with a rare metabolic disorder

Hope for treating autoimmune diseases

Publicly released: Wed 3 Apr 2024 at 1152 AEDT | 1352 NZDT

Clinical and Experimental Medicine

diseases. “One of these haematological indices, the SII, has been shown to be particularly accurate in the diagnosis of other conditions characterised by excess inflammation and dysregulated Read more about Hope for treating autoimmune diseases

Mpox immunity is fading, and cases are on the rise

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2024 at 1046 AEDT | 1246 NZDT

European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

This vaccine is based on a highly attenuated strain of Vaccinia virus (VACV) – a virus that belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus, as do the viruses that cause smallpox (variola virus) and Read more about Mpox immunity is fading, and cases are on the rise

DNA evidence from crime scenes could be plucked from the air

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2024 at 1045 AEDT | 1245 NZDT

Electrophoresis

collection device regularly used to test for COVID19 and other airborne viruses in hospitals, schools and nursing homes. ... collection device regularly used to test for COVID19 and other airborne viruses Read more about DNA evidence from crime scenes could be plucked from the air

Scientists make mosquitos less contagious in Pacific islands

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2024 at 1012 AEDT | 1212 NZDT

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

The mozzies were infected with a bacteria which makes them less likely to pass on dengue to humans – and there are now self-sustaining populations of those less-contagious mosquitos. ... Their work on Read more about Scientists make mosquitos less contagious in Pacific islands

More Aussies are likely to die from bowel cancer as a result of COVID-era disruptions

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2024 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

COVID-related disruptions to bowel cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in Australia are likely to lead to an additional 234 cancer cases and 1,186 deaths in Australia over 2020–2030, Read more about More Aussies are likely to die from bowel cancer as a result of COVID-era disruptions

Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards

Publicly released: Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 0501 AEDT | 0701 NZDT

Science

Covid-19 virus early in the pandemic, has continued to raise the importance of adequate indoor air quality for public spaces. ... number of people and their activities in the space to ensure adequate IAQ. Read more about Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards

How older culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women handled COVID-19 in SA

Publicly released: Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women over 60 in South Australia were highly concerned about COVID-19 and becoming sick from its effects, according to Aussie researchers who conducted a Read more about How older culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women handled COVID-19 in SA

MRNA could be used to target Alzheimer’s disease

Publicly released: Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Brain Communications

To date, mRNA has been predominantly used for vaccines, including those used to fight COVID-19. ... enhance targeting of toxic molecules in the brain and improve patient outcomes compared to conventional Read more about MRNA could be used to target Alzheimer’s disease