Resources for Journalists

First evidence of fossil fruit in Australia uncovers new species

Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

International Journal of Plant Science

This could be important for understanding of the evolution of fruit size in the genus and the patterns of seed dispersal by the plant. ... As he was unable to travel for the Fellowship due to COVID, he Read more about First evidence of fossil fruit in Australia uncovers new species

More collaboration between media and scientists wanted during pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 0945 AEST, 1145 NZST

Vaccine

340 Kiwis answered questions about their willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and about the media's portrayal of the vaccine, as part of a wider study on stress and ... The authors point out the Read more about More collaboration between media and scientists wanted during pandemic

Severe obesity could blunt antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines

Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 0801 AEST, 1001 NZST

European Congress on Obesity (ECO)

Obesity is a disease complicating the course of COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine antibody response in adults with obesity may be compromised. ... Interestingly, the analyses found that in patients with Read more about Severe obesity could blunt antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines

Victorians sought for trial investigating impact of reduced doses of COVID-19 booster shots

Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

The study would also secure additional data on administering ‘mix-and-match’ COVID-19 vaccine schedules. ... maintain COVID-19 immunity in light of the emergence and impact of new variants like Omicron Read more about Victorians sought for trial investigating impact of reduced doses of COVID-19 booster shots

More major injuries in NZ during the pandemic - despite the effect of lockdowns

Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

The NZMJ

Editorial: Trauma, COVID-19 and healthcare investmentSummary Physical injury is significant part of the demand on healthcare delivery in NZ. ... Study: Lockdown Level 4 V2. 0: different trauma patterns in Read more about More major injuries in NZ during the pandemic - despite the effect of lockdowns

Vaccine grown in an Aussie plant is shown to be effective at preventing COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 5 May 2022 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

A plant-based COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be effective at preventing COVID-19. ... The vaccine is made by using a bacteria to insert the genetic code of the virus into plants, which then start Read more about Vaccine grown in an Aussie plant is shown to be effective at preventing COVID-19

Higher effectiveness and fewer side effects make us more likely to choose a particular COVID-19 vaccine

Publicly released: Thu 5 May 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

The most important factors when choosing which COVID-19 jab to opt for are vaccine effectiveness and a low risk of side effects, but differences between vaccines appear to matter less ... COVID-19 Read more about Higher effectiveness and fewer side effects make us more likely to choose a particular COVID-19 vaccine

1 in 3 kids in Europe now overweight or obese

Publicly released: Tue 3 May 2022 at 2000 AEST, 2200 NZST

The European Congress on Obesity

Nearly 60 percent of adults and one in three kids in the European region are overweight or obese, and early studies suggest the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a rise in ... Overweight people and those Read more about 1 in 3 kids in Europe now overweight or obese

Pregnant women who catch COVID-19 may face more risky births

Publicly released: Tue 3 May 2022 at 0930 AEST, 1130 NZST

JAMA

The odds of winding up in hospital for COVID-19 was much higher for pregnant women than for similar-aged women in general - including 5. ... 46 times higher relative risk for ICU admission. The risk of Read more about Pregnant women who catch COVID-19 may face more risky births

No breakfast for 1 in 3 Hawke's Bay teens

Publicly released: Tue 3 May 2022 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

The survey of more than 2,000 students aged either 9 or 13 found 87% aren't eating enough vegetables and 60% aren't getting enough fruit, according to national guidelines. ... The research was carried out Read more about No breakfast for 1 in 3 Hawke's Bay teens

Pathways to severe COVID-19 in children discovered

Publicly released: Mon 2 May 2022 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Nature Communications

For the study, blood samples from 20 healthy children were collected at The Royal Children’s Hospital and samples from 33 SARS-CoV-2 infected children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome or Read more about Pathways to severe COVID-19 in children discovered

Feeling COVID-y but your RAT is negative? Try testing again on day 4 of your symptoms

Publicly released: Sat 30 Apr 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

People with COVID-19 symptoms who initially test negative on a rapid antigen test (RAT) should test again 1 to 2 days later because RATs are at their most sensitive 4 ... But four days after symptoms Read more about Feeling COVID-y but your RAT is negative? Try testing again on day 4 of your symptoms

Your flu shot could reduce your risk of serious heart problems

Publicly released: Sat 30 Apr 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Getting the seasonal influenza vaccine could reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attacks and stroke, according to an international meta-analysis. ... Researchers combined a Read more about Your flu shot could reduce your risk of serious heart problems

Trump's 'beautiful' wall led to a 5-fold increase in hospitalised migrants, at a cost of US$13m

Publicly released: Sat 30 Apr 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Surgery

This surge in preventable border wall injuries not only increased unfunded costs to the hospital system, they say, but occurred at a time when hospitals were already slammed by the ... 19 pandemic. Read more about Trump's 'beautiful' wall led to a 5-fold increase in hospitalised migrants, at a cost of US$13m

Genetic links revealed between severe COVID-19 and other diseases

Publicly released: Fri 29 Apr 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Genetics

Among veterans of African and Hispanic ancestry, they also found genetic links between severe COVID-19 and neutropenia, although this was not the case for veterans of European ancestry. ... Despite some Read more about Genetic links revealed between severe COVID-19 and other diseases

EXPERT REACTION: Mysterious hepatitis outbreak in kids

Publicly released: Thu 28 Apr 2022 at 1237 AEST, 1437 NZST

According to the World Health Organization, there are at least 169 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in the UK, Spain, Israel, USA, Denmark, Ireland, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Mysterious hepatitis outbreak in kids

Hype up fitness to support kids’ health post-lockdowns

Publicly released: Thu 28 Apr 2022 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

Journal of Sports Sciences

of life and body mass index (BMI), after the 2020 COVID-19 UK lockdowns. ... says. “When COVID-19 hit the United Kingdom in 2020, infection control measures led to the closure of schools for most pupils; Read more about Hype up fitness to support kids’ health post-lockdowns

Highly-vaxxed communities see significantly fewer COVID-19 deaths

Publicly released: Thu 28 Apr 2022 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

Their findings are based on more than 30 million cases of covid-19 and over 400,000 deaths linked to covid-19 across 2558 counties, which were reported during the second ... For example, during the first Read more about Highly-vaxxed communities see significantly fewer COVID-19 deaths

Why video calls are bad for brainstorming

Publicly released: Thu 28 Apr 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature

During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of employees were required to work from home indefinitely and collaborate virtually using videoconferencing technologies. ... However, the effects of this shift away Read more about Why video calls are bad for brainstorming

COVID-19 impacted mental health in teen girls more than in boys

Publicly released: Wed 27 Apr 2022 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Science

One group were not exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic between baseline and follow-up (n = 6,419) and the second group were exposed to the pandemic (n = 5,031). ... Mental health and COVID-19 – Cases of Read more about COVID-19 impacted mental health in teen girls more than in boys