Resources for Journalists

How multiple disasters impact public health

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Public Health

For example, some communities across Victoria, Australia, experienced the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic from early 2020 and then major flooding events in 2021. ... This is an Read more about How multiple disasters impact public health

Moderna appears to be more effective against breakthrough infections than Pfizer

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Fewer people who were doubled dosed with the Moderna COVID-19 appear to contract the virus compared to those vaccinated with Pfizer, according to research out of Qatar. ... Researchers matched about Read more about Moderna appears to be more effective against breakthrough infections than Pfizer

More data suggesting Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective for kids 5-11

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

NEJM

The results also show that two doses of mRNA vaccines effectively prevented the occurrence of COVID-19 - although all studies were conducted before the Omicron variant was circulating. ... The authors say Read more about More data suggesting Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective for kids 5-11

Why don’t people with COVID-19 symptoms get tested?

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Global Public Health

The researchers also studied more than 700,000 responses, received between April 2020 and February 2021, from UK participants of the University of Maryland Global COVID-19 Trends and Impact Survey Read more about Why don’t people with COVID-19 symptoms get tested?

Countries with strict COVID-19 lockdown measures saw a huge reduction in air pollution

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature

Decreases in atmospheric and ground-level NO2 have previously been reported as a result of lockdown measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. ... Matthew Cooper and colleagues used high-resolution Read more about Countries with strict COVID-19 lockdown measures saw a huge reduction in air pollution

Uncovering the impact of long COVID on the body’s immune system

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

BMC Medicine

It’s yet to be determined why some people get long COVID and not others, as well as how the various strains of the virus might impact long COVID differently. ... The study has also added further Read more about Uncovering the impact of long COVID on the body’s immune system

Major deficiencies in lung cancer care in Australia highlighted

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 1254 AEDT, 1454 NZDT

BMJ Open Respiratory Research

The impact of COVID-19 was variable across the country with some centres reporting significant negative impact on lung cancer services, for instance reduced access to hospital services during virus Read more about Major deficiencies in lung cancer care in Australia highlighted

COVID-infected mums’ breast milk safe for babies

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

Pediatrics Journal

Results showed that while six per cent of lactating women with a proven or suspected case of COVID-19 had RNA from the virus in their breast milk, none of their ... There was no evidence of infection in Read more about COVID-infected mums’ breast milk safe for babies

Some rapid antigen tests may not be accurate enough in schools

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine

Lateral flow (antigen) tests have been widely used to pick up children with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection, in schools and kindergarten. ... And the findings might not be Read more about Some rapid antigen tests may not be accurate enough in schools

An AI can predict COVID-19 survival based on a single blood test

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Digital Health

International scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that can predict the chances of survival among critically ill COVID-19 patients based on a single blood test. Read more about An AI can predict COVID-19 survival based on a single blood test

The placenta may shield a fetus from catching COVID-19 from mum

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

While pregnant women are at significant risk for severe or critical COVID-19, the placenta may act as a shield reducing the likelihood of the virus passing to the fetus, according ... The researchers say Read more about The placenta may shield a fetus from catching COVID-19 from mum

Side effects after placebo common in COVID-19 vaccine trials

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Around one in three people who got a placebo injection as part of a COVID-19 vaccine trial experienced side effects outside of the injection site according to an analysis of ... The authors say telling Read more about Side effects after placebo common in COVID-19 vaccine trials

School closures and lockdowns linked to poorer mental health in kids

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

School Closures During COVID-19 Lockdown, Health, Well-being of Children, Teens JAMA Pediatrics Review What The Study Did: This review of 36 studies from 11 countries summarizes evidence from the Read more about School closures and lockdowns linked to poorer mental health in kids

“Deep concern” for cut off Tonga

Publicly released: Tue 18 Jan 2022 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

They say Tongans are also concerned about the risk of aid deliveries spreading COVID-19 to the island which is free of the virus. ... Ms Faotusia described the situation in her home country as “sad and Read more about “Deep concern” for cut off Tonga

Teach your kids to wash hands correctly plus back to school lunch safety tips

Publicly released: Tue 18 Jan 2022 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

To reduce their risk of food poisoning (and COVID-19 infection) children should always wash their hands with soap and running water for 20 seconds and thoroughly dry them (or use ... Their industry’s Read more about Teach your kids to wash hands correctly plus back to school lunch safety tips

EXPERT REACTION: Omicron is soaring, but what about the next variant?

Publicly released: Tue 18 Jan 2022 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

Omicron has had a huge impact on Australia in a matter of weeks – but while we are still grappling with this variant – should we be planning for the next variant (or ... Below Australian experts Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Omicron is soaring, but what about the next variant?

Genes may be key to loss of taste and smell due to COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 18 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Genetics

The genetic locus — situated near two genes, UGT2A1 and UGT2A2 — is associated with an 11% increase in the chance of developing either of these symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more about Genes may be key to loss of taste and smell due to COVID-19

Double Pfizer vax could give some solid protection against Omicron

Publicly released: Mon 17 Jan 2022 at 1726 AEDT, 1926 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Ancestral SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells cross-recognize OmicronAbstract: The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant-of-concern Omicron (B. ... 1. 1. 529. Our data indicate that established SARS-CoV-2 Read more about Double Pfizer vax could give some solid protection against Omicron

Boosters significantly more effective against COVID-19 than double vaccination

Publicly released: Mon 17 Jan 2022 at 1500 AEDT, 1700 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Those who received the first COVID-19 boosters in the UK have much better protection against the virus than their double vaccinated counterparts, according to British researchers. ... The team used data Read more about Boosters significantly more effective against COVID-19 than double vaccination

Citizen science helps nurture our health through nature

Publicly released: Fri 14 Jan 2022 at 1430 AEDT, 1630 NZDT

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

In Australia, the outdoors remains one of the few places where people can safely get together despite the persistent risk of COVID-19. ... Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 68. https://doi. Read more about Citizen science helps nurture our health through nature