Resources for Journalists

Distrust in science underpins conspiracy-driven vaccine doubt

Publicly released: Mon 21 Feb 2022 at 1355 AEDT, 1555 NZDT

Vaccine

Right-wing voters in NZ may be more hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine than left-leaning voters - due in part to believing COVID-19 conspiracy theories, finds a study ... of 1358 Kiwi adults surveyed Read more about Distrust in science underpins conspiracy-driven vaccine doubt

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy high among injecting drug users

Publicly released: Mon 21 Feb 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Around half of the injecting drug users surveyed as part of a national illicit drug monitoring system reported being hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Australian research. Read more about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy high among injecting drug users

Ivermectin fails to stop COVID-19 becoming severe

Publicly released: Sat 19 Feb 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

The authors say the study findings do not support the use of ivermectin for patients with COVID-19. ... Assessing Efficacy of Ivermectin on Disease Progression in Patients With COVID-19JAMA Internal Read more about Ivermectin fails to stop COVID-19 becoming severe

Museum cold case uncovers new species of sea scorpion

Publicly released: Fri 18 Feb 2022 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

Historical Biology

Fast forward several years and COVID-19 related closures allowed the team at the museum to take another look at some of the fossils within the collection. ... Queensland Museum Principal Curator Read more about Museum cold case uncovers new species of sea scorpion

How antibodies neutralise the COVID-19 virus and how it might evolve to escape

Publicly released: Fri 18 Feb 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Pathogens

US researchers have outlined the landscape of antibodies that can stop the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) from entering our cells and how changes to the virus' spike protein may ... Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Read more about How antibodies neutralise the COVID-19 virus and how it might evolve to escape

Kids over 5 can learn to test themselves for COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 18 Feb 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Going back to school during the pandemic might be difficult if every child needs regular COVID-19 testing, but US researchers have found kids over age 5 could give themselves the ... The team followed 296 Read more about Kids over 5 can learn to test themselves for COVID-19

Archiving the orchestra of the ocean

Publicly released: Fri 18 Feb 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

This has been highlighted by the recent COVID ‘anthropause’ experienced at various aquatic locations around the world. ” ... Therefore, sound libraries are becoming invaluable to citizen Read more about Archiving the orchestra of the ocean

Bats in Laos are carrying COVID-like coronaviruses

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 1500 AEDT, 1700 NZDT

Nature

Multiple coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are currently being carried by bat populations in Laos, according to international research. ... The findings support the Read more about Bats in Laos are carrying COVID-like coronaviruses

Molecular 'culprit' caught driving cell death and inflammation

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 1330 AEDT, 1530 NZDT

Immunity

The findings could lead to improved treatment options for a range of conditions driven by inflammatory cell death, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. ... asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and the SARS-CoV-2 Read more about Molecular 'culprit' caught driving cell death and inflammation

EXPERT REACTION: TGA provisionally approves Moderna for kids aged 6-11

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 1300 AEDT, 1500 NZDT

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, SPIKEVAX, for use in individuals aged 6 years and older. ... As for other age groups, the use of this Read more about EXPERT REACTION: TGA provisionally approves Moderna for kids aged 6-11

COVID-19 could put you at higher risk of mental health disorders

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

The covid-19 group was further divided into those who were or were not admitted to hospital during the acute phase of infection, and information was collected on potentially influential factors Read more about COVID-19 could put you at higher risk of mental health disorders

What role is social media playing in COVID-19 information for migrants?

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 1001 AEDT, 1201 NZDT

European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID)

about COVID-19 and the impact of social media on the response of these groups to COVID-19. ... The COVID-19 vaccine contains a chip to track individuals. Yale University and the U. Read more about What role is social media playing in COVID-19 information for migrants?

Prior COVID-19 infection combined with vaccination may lead to longer-lasting immunity

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

While the researchers say immunity against infection waned significantly for those who received Pfizer, those who received AstraZeneca and those who were unvaccinated but had been previously infected Read more about Prior COVID-19 infection combined with vaccination may lead to longer-lasting immunity

Pfizer's COVID-19 pill Paxlovid reduces risk of severe disease

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Pfizer's Paxlovid pill reduces the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 progressing to severe disease by 89 per cent, according to the company's phase 2-3 trial. ... Comparing the rates of severe COVID-19 in the Read more about Pfizer's COVID-19 pill Paxlovid reduces risk of severe disease

If you've had COVID-19, the Pfizer vaccine substantially lowers your re-infection risk

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Catching COVID-19 a second time is substantially less likely for those who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine after their first infection, according to an Israeli study. ... The team looked at Read more about If you've had COVID-19, the Pfizer vaccine substantially lowers your re-infection risk

Can an online class teach you to be happy?

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

An online psychology course taken for credit at a UK university may have helped its students navigate the stress and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to international researchers. Read more about Can an online class teach you to be happy?

Lockdowns may not have been as bad for mental health as we thought

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

COVID-19 death rates and fear related to the pandemic may have been a more important driver of poor mental health in the UK during the pandemic than lockdowns, according to ... the virus as a result of a Read more about Lockdowns may not have been as bad for mental health as we thought

The world is failing to tackle depression

Publicly released: Wed 16 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional challenges, with social isolation, bereavement, uncertainty, hardship, and limited access to healthcare taking a serious toll on the mental health of Read more about The world is failing to tackle depression

Antiviral drug protects hamsters against COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 16 Feb 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

The SARS-CoV-2 main protease, an enzyme that aids virus replication, has been identified as a promising anti-viral target. ... As a proof-of-concept, the authors first conducted experiments in mammalian Read more about Antiviral drug protects hamsters against COVID-19

EXPERT REACTION: Booster effectiveness waning after 4 months, says CDC

Publicly released: Tue 15 Feb 2022 at 1345 AEDT, 1545 NZDT

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has released a report outlining how our immunity can wane after receiving a booster jab against COVID-19. ... They say that during the Omicron-predominant period, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Booster effectiveness waning after 4 months, says CDC