Resources for Journalists

Increased unexpected infant deaths during COVID-19 pandemic may indicate links to other infections

Publicly released: Fri 27 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

An increase in sudden deaths of infants without a clear cause during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US may have been linked to resurgences of infections after lockdowns were lifted. ... The study authors Read more about Increased unexpected infant deaths during COVID-19 pandemic may indicate links to other infections

COVID-19 is developing resistance to antivirals, but resistant strains remain rare

Publicly released: Thu 26 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

US scientists say COVID-19 is developing resistance to the antiviral drugs nirmatrelvir and remdesivir, particularly in immunosuppressed people, but resistant strains of the virus remain rare and Read more about COVID-19 is developing resistance to antivirals, but resistant strains remain rare

Shortsightedness in children and teens has tripled since the 1990s

Publicly released: Wed 25 Sep 2024 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

British Journal of Ophthalmology

30% in 2011-19, and 36% in 2020-23, equivalent to around 1 in every 3 children and teens. ... The COVID-19 pandemic may have had a role in the sharp increase after 2020, suggest the researchers. Read more about Shortsightedness in children and teens has tripled since the 1990s

Australia spends about $140 per person on public health measures, but it's hard to know exactly what they are

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1540 AEST, 1740 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

The researchers say public health initiatives are an important part of the health budget, and the Australian Centre for Disease Control set to be established soon could play a role in ... After a clear Read more about Australia spends about $140 per person on public health measures, but it's hard to know exactly what they are

New research points to COVID-19's animal origins

Publicly released: Fri 20 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Cell

New research into the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has added to the growing evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic was sparked by the introduction of infected animals into ... A new international Read more about New research points to COVID-19's animal origins

High temperatures and air pollution driving increase in strokes

Publicly released: Thu 19 Sep 2024 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet Neurology

3 million (up by 44%), making the condition the third leading cause of death worldwide (after ischaemic heart disease and COVID-19). ... 5 million years in 2021, making stroke the fourth leading cause of Read more about High temperatures and air pollution driving increase in strokes

EXPERT REACTION: Young children have a different immune response to COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 19 Sep 2024 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Science Translational Medicine

An in-depth study of adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection concludes that children under 5 years old have a different response compared with older children and adults. ... The findings make it Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Young children have a different immune response to COVID-19

Over 39 million deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections predicted from now to 2050

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet

95 million associated deaths) due to reductions in the burden of non-COVID lower respiratory infections, likely caused by social distancing and other disease control measures in place during the COVID Read more about Over 39 million deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections predicted from now to 2050

Study sheds light on how virus-fighting cells develop during long COVID

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 0500 AEST, 0700 NZST

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)

that recognise SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be established and maintain their ability to fight subsequent infections after two years. ... In this study, we looked at memory T cells that Read more about Study sheds light on how virus-fighting cells develop during long COVID

Gasping for air: staggering cost of breathlessness in Australia revealed

Publicly released: Mon 16 Sep 2024 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

The results are shocking enough but they are conservative: the data predates COVID-19 and its high respiratory burden, and we did not factor in children, who have increasing rates of ... are twice as Read more about Gasping for air: staggering cost of breathlessness in Australia revealed

Kids in families with too much screen time struggle with language skills

Publicly released: Thu 12 Sep 2024 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Developmental Psychology

The team surveyed over 400 families about their screen use and the language abilities of their two-and-a-half to four-year-old kids. ... Also, the data were collected before the Covid-19 pandemic. It will Read more about Kids in families with too much screen time struggle with language skills

New report finds the changing nature of work provides new opportunities for workplace gender equality

Publicly released: Mon 9 Sep 2024 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

At the same time, full-time roles that incorporate flexible work arrangements, such as remote and hybrid work options are now becoming more prevalent in Australian workplaces, having risen by 2. Read more about New report finds the changing nature of work provides new opportunities for workplace gender equality

COVID-19 vaccines protect against hospitalisation and death longer than they protect against infections

Publicly released: Fri 6 Sep 2024 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

The study authors recommend future studies to understand how effectiveness changes beyond six months, and differences by vaccine type and COVID-19 variant. ... The COVID-19 vaccine was found to have Read more about COVID-19 vaccines protect against hospitalisation and death longer than they protect against infections

Travel could be the best defence against ageing

Publicly released: Thu 5 Sep 2024 at 1120 AEST, 1320 NZST

Journal of Travel Research

Ms Hu noted that positive travel experiences could enhance individuals’ physical and mental wellness through exposure to novel environments, engagement in physical activities and social interaction, Read more about Travel could be the best defence against ageing

NEWS BRIEFING: WHO commissioned review confirms mobile phones not linked to brain cancer

Publicly released: Wed 4 Sep 2024 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Environment International

Rohan Mate is a research scientist at the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). ... That monograph will draw on this systematic review and others commissioned by the World Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: WHO commissioned review confirms mobile phones not linked to brain cancer

Can wearable activity trackers detect disease?

Publicly released: Tue 3 Sep 2024 at 1150 AEST, 1350 NZST

JMIR mHealth and uHealth

2 million participants. The study found that wearable technology could correctly identify:COVID-19 status (positive or negative) in 88 out of 100 people, similar to rapid screening tests. ... Our Read more about Can wearable activity trackers detect disease?

Simple measures lessen hospital acquired COVID-19 infections

Publicly released: Mon 2 Sep 2024 at 0900 AEST, 1100 NZST

The Journal of Hospital Infection

One of the paper’s lead authors, Burnet Associate Professor Nick Scott, said on average, 15-25% of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in hospital had contracted the virus ... The study assessed Read more about Simple measures lessen hospital acquired COVID-19 infections

Common COVID-19 variants probably don't lead to more autoimmune symptoms in vaccinated populations

Publicly released: Sat 31 Aug 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Delta and Omicron BA. 1 or BA. 2 COVID-19 infections are not linked with a higher long-term risk of autoimmune symptoms in a highly vaccinated population, according to a ... 1/BA. 2 transmission. Over 90% Read more about Common COVID-19 variants probably don't lead to more autoimmune symptoms in vaccinated populations

Taking semaglutide for weight loss can reduce the risk of death, including with COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 1833 AEST, 2033 NZST

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

People with overweight/obesity who take semaglutide have a reduced risk of dying from any cause, heart problems and even COVID-19 compared to taking no weight loss medications, according to Read more about Taking semaglutide for weight loss can reduce the risk of death, including with COVID-19

COVID-19 heart damage may be limited in the medium-term

Publicly released: Thu 29 Aug 2024 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging

People hospitalised with COVID-19 who have heart damage as a result can feel reassured that their heart injuries don't appear to get worse after they leave hospital, and some ... The study also found Read more about COVID-19 heart damage may be limited in the medium-term