Resources for Journalists

Finding COVID-19 variants that could escape our immune response

Publicly released: Fri 11 Feb 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Computational Biology

Researchers have found mutations in the virus that causes COVID-19 that could help it escape the immune system in specific groups of people, according to international research. ... Researchers identify Read more about Finding COVID-19 variants that could escape our immune response

Pfizer COVID-19 jabs during pregnancy don't affect bubs

Publicly released: Fri 11 Feb 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

An Israeli study of 24,288 newborn babies, 16,697 of whom were exposed to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine while in the womb, found the vaccine had no effect on ... Vaccination During Pregnancy With Infant Read more about Pfizer COVID-19 jabs during pregnancy don't affect bubs

Taking a hard line on crime

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1517 AEDT, 1717 NZDT

Psychology, Crime and Law

For example, studies have found the public is often indifferent about police brutality toward criminal offenders, or the threat of COVID-19 spreading in prisons. ... When we see others in pain, sympathy Read more about Taking a hard line on crime

COVID alerts encourage social engagement – and choice

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

Journal of Sociology

The use of COVID-19 health warnings and regulation in posters and public signage has effectively turned much of the responsibility and policing of compliance back on individuals, say sociology Read more about COVID alerts encourage social engagement – and choice

EXPERT REACTION: TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca boosters for ages 18+

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1230 AEDT, 1430 NZDT

The TGA has provisionally approved the AstraZeneca COVID-19 booster vaccine for Australians aged 18 years and older. ... What do we know about AstraZeneca's effectiveness as a booster, and in what Read more about EXPERT REACTION: TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca boosters for ages 18+

Almost 1 in 3 older adults develop new conditions after COVID-19 infection

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

These findings further highlight the wide range of important sequelae after acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” they write. ... Understanding the magnitude of risk for the most important Read more about Almost 1 in 3 older adults develop new conditions after COVID-19 infection

Problematic levels of loneliness widespread in many countries

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

the COVID-19 pandemic. ... We anticipate that COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions increased isolation for many people across the globe so this review will provide important baseline data Read more about Problematic levels of loneliness widespread in many countries

Previous COVID-19 infection may offer 56% protection against catching Omicron

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

A study of COVID-19 patients in Qatar suggests that having previously had COVID-19 may offer 56 per cent protection against infection with the Omicron variant, 90. ... The effectiveness with respect to Read more about Previous COVID-19 infection may offer 56% protection against catching Omicron

An mRNA COVID-19 booster after viral vector vaccine jabs may cut infection risk by half

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

A study of nearly 26,000 US veterans who had received two doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Jansen) COVID-19 vaccine (a viral vector vaccine) found those who received an mRNA ... booster (either Pfizer or Read more about An mRNA COVID-19 booster after viral vector vaccine jabs may cut infection risk by half

Covid-19 compliance is a very personal affair

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

People with a personal stake in preventing Covid-19 spread were generally more compliant with the rules, according to a survey of 1,000 Aucklanders. ... The researchers warn that people with few Read more about Covid-19 compliance is a very personal affair

Nature scenes relieve stress for healthcare workers, even if they're only virtually real

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

US scientists say experiencing a nature scene in Virtual Reality (VR) for just three minutes can reduce stress levels among overworked frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers. ... Then they immersed Read more about Nature scenes relieve stress for healthcare workers, even if they're only virtually real

Among kids, obese, black boys under 12 with pre-existing conditions most at risk of severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 9 Feb 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

US scientists analysed the health records of 167,262 children with COVID-19 at 56 sites to see which factors played a part in the severity of the disease, and in ... Characteristics, Outcomes, Severity of Read more about Among kids, obese, black boys under 12 with pre-existing conditions most at risk of severe COVID-19

Don’t lose your marbles: realising the potential of liquid marbles

Publicly released: Tue 8 Feb 2022 at 1815 AEDT, 2015 NZDT

Applied Physics Letters

COVID-19. ... This process causes the liquid marble to loss its volume and eventually buckle and collapse. ” Read more about Don’t lose your marbles: realising the potential of liquid marbles

Gene editing-based COVID-19 test can tell you which variant you have, and how much of it

Publicly released: Tue 8 Feb 2022 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

Nature Medicine

They say mCARMEN can detect 21 different viruses, including six SARS-CoV-2 variants (including Delta and Omicron), other coronaviruses, and both influenza strains, The team evaluated their new test Read more about Gene editing-based COVID-19 test can tell you which variant you have, and how much of it

What an Omicron outbreak might look like in NZ

Publicly released: Tue 8 Feb 2022 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

For an outbreak that started this month where 90 per cent of eligible people got a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, peak demand for hospital beds would range from ... Modelling just released by Read more about What an Omicron outbreak might look like in NZ

Researchers define Long COVID in kids

Publicly released: Tue 8 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

Archives of Disease in Childhood

symptoms have waxed and waned over that period)These translate into: “Post-COVID-19 condition occurs in young people with a history of confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection [the virus responsible Read more about Researchers define Long COVID in kids

COVID-19 linked to later heart problems - even for milder cases

Publicly released: Tue 8 Feb 2022 at 1019 AEDT, 1219 NZDT

Nature Medicine

COVID-19 infections may significantly increase a person’s risk of heart disease for at least one year after recovery, even if the infection itself did not land them in hospital. ... According to an Read more about COVID-19 linked to later heart problems - even for milder cases

Pregnant COVID-19 patients at increased risk of death and serious complications

Publicly released: Tue 8 Feb 2022 at 1015 AEDT, 1215 NZDT

JAMA

Looking at the rates of death and serious complications relating to high blood pressure, haemorrhage and infections other than COVID-19, the researchers say the risk was 13. ... 4 per cent for COVID-19 Read more about Pregnant COVID-19 patients at increased risk of death and serious complications

Getting a COVID-19 jab while pregnant could ensure bub has antibodies against the virus

Publicly released: Tue 8 Feb 2022 at 1014 AEDT, 1214 NZDT

JAMA

Most babies born to women who got their COVID jabs while pregnant will have antibodies against the virus at 6 months of age, according to US research. ... In contrast, very few babies born to mothers who Read more about Getting a COVID-19 jab while pregnant could ensure bub has antibodies against the virus

New type of COVID-19 test gives accurate result in under 4 minutes

Publicly released: Tue 8 Feb 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Biomedical Engineering

The test was able to detect the virus in less than four minutes from samples taken from 33 patients with confirmed COVID-19. ... The authors say with more development the test could be used for COVID-19 Read more about New type of COVID-19 test gives accurate result in under 4 minutes