Resources for Journalists

Omicron may be less likely to cause long Covid than Delta

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1053 AEST, 1253 NZST

The Lancet

In a world-first study, British researchers looked at self-reported data from a symptom tracking app to reveal the risk of Omicron-sparked long COVID. ... The team found the odds of long COVID were lower Read more about Omicron may be less likely to cause long Covid than Delta

WHO urges mental health action

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1039 AEST, 1239 NZST

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, just a small fraction of people in need had access to effective, affordable and quality mental health care. ... But change is not happening fast enough, and the story of Read more about WHO urges mental health action

Weighing the cost of increasing Saudi heritage tourism

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1433 AEST, 1633 NZST

Journal of Heritage Tourism

a few weeks before international travel bans due to COVID-19 were implemented. ... start reviving their business operations after COVID-19’s enforced disruptions. Read more about Weighing the cost of increasing Saudi heritage tourism

Time to rebuild construction

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1340 AEST, 1540 NZST

Sustainability

post-COVID-19 period to meet shortage and reduce the cost of construction;· Find novel solutions to global material shortages including recycling, sourcing raw materials more sustainably, and using Read more about Time to rebuild construction

Boosters or previous COVID-19 infection are needed to prevent symptomatic Omicron

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

Two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has a negligible effect on the risk of symptomatic Omicron but previous infections and booster doses change this, according to international research. Read more about Boosters or previous COVID-19 infection are needed to prevent symptomatic Omicron

Home injuries up during COVID-19 lockdowns

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Adrian Webster (PhD). ‘COVID-19 restrictions contributed to a decrease in injury-related hospitalisations in the early months of 2020, with 14% fewer admissions between March and May compared with Read more about Home injuries up during COVID-19 lockdowns

Older Australians need more financial support amid pandemic

Publicly released: Wed 15 Jun 2022 at 1127 AEST, 1327 NZST

Conducted in partnership with RMIT, COTA and ECH, and funded by Ecstra Foundation, the report explores the financial behaviours, psychological wellbeing and financial decision-making of 1500 older Read more about Older Australians need more financial support amid pandemic

At least one in 500 children estimated to have caught COVID-19 in pandemic's first year

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were detected in seven children (5–9 years, one; 10–19 years, six): three in Victoria, three in New South Wales, one in Queensland; three specimens ... The crude Read more about At least one in 500 children estimated to have caught COVID-19 in pandemic's first year

Investing 1% of the world's GDP in a green recovery could reduce global emissions 8.5% by 2030

Publicly released: Fri 10 Jun 2022 at 1011 AEST, 1211 NZST

Frontiers in Climate

Main Text: The Covid-19 pandemic not only caused a global health and economic crisis but also significantly reduced global CO2 emissions in 2020 by 6 to 7%, compared to 2019. ... Reduction of CO2 Read more about Investing 1% of the world's GDP in a green recovery could reduce global emissions 8.5% by 2030

COVID-19 during pregnancy could impact baby’s development later on

Publicly released: Fri 10 Jun 2022 at 0945 AEST, 1145 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Early evidence has found that babies born to mothers that had a COVID-19 infection while pregnant in 2020 were more likely to receive a neurodevelopmental diagnosis in the first year ... Most of these Read more about COVID-19 during pregnancy could impact baby’s development later on

The pandemic’s impact on lung cancer diagnoses for Māori

Publicly released: Fri 10 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

occur - not just in the context of Covid-19. ... Te Aho o Te Kahu – Cancer Control Agency has been monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on access to cancer services since the start of the pandemic. Read more about The pandemic’s impact on lung cancer diagnoses for Māori

Fewer than 1-in-2 frontline healthcare workers say they had formal PPE training when COVID-19 hit

Publicly released: Thu 9 Jun 2022 at 1615 AEST, 1815 NZST

PLOS ONE

One in five healthcare workers received no training on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when COVID-19 hit and less than one in two received formal training in the ... The participants also Read more about Fewer than 1-in-2 frontline healthcare workers say they had formal PPE training when COVID-19 hit

Probiotics didn’t reduce uni test stress, but lockdown had an unexpected effect

Publicly released: Thu 9 Jun 2022 at 1121 AEST, 1321 NZST

PLOS One

They found no difference between the probiotic and a placebo, but highlight that overall student stress levels actually went down right before exams. ... The team says NZ’s COVID-19 lockdown went from Read more about Probiotics didn’t reduce uni test stress, but lockdown had an unexpected effect

Hidden casualty of Russia’s war: global phosphorus security

Publicly released: Thu 9 Jun 2022 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Amid worsening global disruptions to food and fertiliser supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, one of the world’s essential resources is under threat. ... from households, retail Read more about Hidden casualty of Russia’s war: global phosphorus security

Unvaccinated children mount COVID-19 immune response, but vaccination may be key to strengthening immunity

Publicly released: Thu 9 Jun 2022 at 0800 AEST, 1000 NZST

Immunity

Published in Immunity, the study is among the first to analyse the immune response of children following infection with SARS-CoV-2, using new technologies and a group of more than ... Study senior author Read more about Unvaccinated children mount COVID-19 immune response, but vaccination may be key to strengthening immunity

Post-COVID-19 condition rarer in children during Omicron era

Publicly released: Thu 9 Jun 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), a rare condition found in children after COVID-19 infection, has become even more rare in the Omicron era, according to Danish data. ... They say the rates of MIC Read more about Post-COVID-19 condition rarer in children during Omicron era

The Australian death rate in 2020 was the lowest on record

Publicly released: Thu 9 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

The updated data includes causes of death and region-specific data, including the first data on COVID-19 deaths in the country. ... These products include information up to 2020 (including preliminary Read more about The Australian death rate in 2020 was the lowest on record

Suicide rates might be lower in women who use hormonal contraception

Publicly released: Tue 7 Jun 2022 at 0805 AEST, 1005 NZST

European Congress of Psychiatry

The research team found that attempted suicide rates between hormonal contraceptive users and non-users were similarly high in women between 15-19 (in general, suicide rates are higher in younger Read more about Suicide rates might be lower in women who use hormonal contraception

Red pandas face a fractured future

Publicly released: Mon 6 Jun 2022 at 0931 AEST, 1131 NZST

Landscape Ecology

He returned to Australia in January 2020, with the intention of returning to Nepal within a few months to continue monitoring the animals and install cameras in the field, but ... It was a surreal Read more about Red pandas face a fractured future

GI cancer detection rates higher during lockdown, but fewer cancers found

Publicly released: Mon 6 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

During Melbourne's COVID-19 lockdowns, gastrointestinal cancer detection rates were higher as the focus shifted to prioritising urgent cases. ... A total of 1147 endoscopic procedures were performed Read more about GI cancer detection rates higher during lockdown, but fewer cancers found