Resources for Journalists

1 in 50 infant deaths globally are caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Publicly released: Fri 20 May 2022 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet

as COVID-19 restrictions are easing around the world and the majority of the young children born in the last two years have never been exposed to RSV (and therefore have ... In addition, all data were Read more about 1 in 50 infant deaths globally are caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Genetics helped some people weather the pandemic storm better than others

Publicly released: Fri 20 May 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Genetics

impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but a new study by Lude Franke and colleagues of the University of Groningen, Netherlands finds that some individuals weathered the stress of the pandemic Read more about Genetics helped some people weather the pandemic storm better than others

Higher weight may be associated with faster waning COVID-19 immunity

Publicly released: Fri 20 May 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

People with a smaller weight who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 may maintain higher antibody levels over time than those with a heavier weight, according to a small study in ... The team tested the Read more about Higher weight may be associated with faster waning COVID-19 immunity

Higher COVID-19 case counts associated with food price spikes

Publicly released: Fri 20 May 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature Food

The cost of food increased during the pandemic, especially in countries with high COVID-19 caseloads, according to international researchers. ... The team investigated trends in retail prices of various Read more about Higher COVID-19 case counts associated with food price spikes

How does COVID-19 immunity hold up against Deltacron?

Publicly released: Thu 19 May 2022 at 1230 AEST, 1430 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

Deltacron, a COVID-19 variant that is a hybrid of Delta and Omicron, is significantly better at evading antibodies generated by vaccines and COVID-19 infection, according to international research. Read more about How does COVID-19 immunity hold up against Deltacron?

Vaccines may lessen Long COVID for some - but more study needed

Publicly released: Thu 19 May 2022 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

any firm conclusions can be drawn Vaccination after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for covid-19, is associated with a decrease in the likelihood of long covid symptoms, ... So a team of Read more about Vaccines may lessen Long COVID for some - but more study needed

A nice cuddle could help your lady love stress less

Publicly released: Thu 19 May 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

Prior to this test, half of the couples were instructed to embrace, and the others did not embrace. ... The authors also call for research into related effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about A nice cuddle could help your lady love stress less

EXPERT REACTION: 4 climate change records broken in 2021 - WMO State of the Climate Report

Publicly released: Wed 18 May 2022 at 1800 AEST, 2000 NZST

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Some glaciers have reached the point of no return and this will have long-term repercussions in a world in which more than 2 billion people already experience water stress. ” ... Food security: The Read more about EXPERT REACTION: 4 climate change records broken in 2021 - WMO State of the Climate Report

Burnet Institute partners with Moderna to accelerate vaccine development for emerging and neglected infectious diseases

Publicly released: Wed 18 May 2022 at 0500 AEST, 0700 NZST

the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Burnet Director and CEO, said. ... the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” Professor Crabb said. Read more about Burnet Institute partners with Moderna to accelerate vaccine development for emerging and neglected infectious diseases

Pfizer and Moderna win out over other vaccines against COVID-19 variants

Publicly released: Wed 18 May 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Medicine

By March 2022, COVID-19 had caused over 450 million confirmed infections and six million reported deaths. ... Four weeks after the initial two doses, antibody responses to the original SARS-CoV-2 viral Read more about Pfizer and Moderna win out over other vaccines against COVID-19 variants

The numbers don’t lie: Australia is failing at maths

Publicly released: Tue 17 May 2022 at 0929 AEST, 1129 NZST

Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science

It helps our brain better understand the concepts and commit them to memory. ” ... The shift from face-to-face teaching towards online learning in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic has Read more about The numbers don’t lie: Australia is failing at maths

Why are people with COPD more susceptible to COVID-19?

Publicly released: Tue 17 May 2022 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

In the study, the researchers infected differentiated airway cells from COPD patients and healthy people with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). ... We believe that new drug treatments targeting Read more about Why are people with COPD more susceptible to COVID-19?

Trained sniffer dogs accurately detect airport passengers infected with SARS-CoV-2

Publicly released: Tue 17 May 2022 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

BMJ Global Health

Trained sniffer dogs can accurately detect airport passengers infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, according to international researchers. ... passengers infected with SARS-CoV-2, Read more about Trained sniffer dogs accurately detect airport passengers infected with SARS-CoV-2

Forecasting the next five years of the COVID-19 crisis

Publicly released: Tue 17 May 2022 at 0801 AEST, 1001 NZST

Unprecedented and Unfinished – COVID-19 and Implications for National and Global Policy calls for the UN to establish a new Science Advisory Board to help curtail the impact of the pandemic Read more about Forecasting the next five years of the COVID-19 crisis

Game-changing spray to revolutionise world-wide pest control

Publicly released: Tue 17 May 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature Plants

The insect lays eggs on the underside of the leaves and the nymphs and adults suck the sap from the plant resulting in reduced yields. ... The world of RNA is not just responsible for COVID-19 vaccines, Read more about Game-changing spray to revolutionise world-wide pest control

Pfizer vaccine prevented 8.7 million COVID-19 cases and saved $70 billion in the US in one year

Publicly released: Mon 16 May 2022 at 1408 AEST, 1608 NZST

Journal of Medical Economics

to estimate how many symptomatic COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths would have occurred that year if the vaccine had not been available. ... She adds that the results, “highlight the Read more about Pfizer vaccine prevented 8.7 million COVID-19 cases and saved $70 billion in the US in one year

Sweet discovery could drive down inflammation, cancers and viruses

Publicly released: Fri 13 May 2022 at 0930 AEST, 1130 NZST

Science Advances

and could also help in future to reduce the severity of viruses like COVID-19. ... Using a SARS-CoV-2 protein, the team was able to show how some viruses can inadvertently trigger the death complex and Read more about Sweet discovery could drive down inflammation, cancers and viruses

Kamini - the illegal, addictive opioid available in Brisbane grocery stores

Publicly released: Fri 13 May 2022 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

Drug & Alcohol Review

They sought help after supplies of the herbal drug dried up during the COVID-19 pandemic, or because they could no longer afford to feed their habit. ... The researchers suggest targeted efforts could Read more about Kamini - the illegal, addictive opioid available in Brisbane grocery stores

Half the first people hospitalised with COVID-19 still have symptoms 2 years on

Publicly released: Thu 12 May 2022 at 1530 AEST, 1730 NZST

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

The study followed 1,192 participants in China infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the first phase of the pandemic in 2020. ... 2] The lack of pre-COVID-19 health status baselines and comparisons with the Read more about Half the first people hospitalised with COVID-19 still have symptoms 2 years on

Going home on steroids could help COVID patients cut risk of dying by up to 51%

Publicly released: Thu 12 May 2022 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Medicine

Our study is the first to examine the relationship between inflammation during hospitalization for Covid-19 and mortality after the patient has ‘recovered’,” said first author Prof Arch G Read more about Going home on steroids could help COVID patients cut risk of dying by up to 51%