Resources for Journalists

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

WHO recommends two new drugs to treat patients with COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 14 Jan 2022 at 1001 AEDT, 1201 NZDT

The BMJ

However, the experts advise against the use of two other JAK inhibitors (ruxolitinib and tofacitinib) for patients with severe or critical covid-19 because low certainty evidence from small trials Read more about WHO recommends two new drugs to treat patients with COVID-19

Unvaccinated pregnant women may be more likely to lose their baby if they get COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 14 Jan 2022 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

Nature Medicine

However, population-level data on COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnancy and SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes are lacking. ... pregnant after, 1 March 2020, linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection data and COVID-19 Read more about Unvaccinated pregnant women may be more likely to lose their baby if they get COVID-19

What causes long COVID symptoms? Clues from under the microscope

Publicly released: Fri 14 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Immunology

In the Kirby institute’s specialised laboratories, the researchers analysed multiple samples from 62 Australians diagnosed with COVID-19 between April and July 2020. ... I’m glad that the study has Read more about What causes long COVID symptoms? Clues from under the microscope

COVID-19 restrictions may have helped kids stay out of hospital with other infections

Publicly released: Thu 13 Jan 2022 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

The BMJ

During the first year or so of the COVID-19 pandemic there were dramatic reductions in hospital admissions for common and severe childhood infections in England, most likely due to social ... first year Read more about COVID-19 restrictions may have helped kids stay out of hospital with other infections

EXPERT Q&A: Are our masks up to scratch in the Omicron era?

Publicly released: Thu 13 Jan 2022 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

As the Omicron COVID-19 variant takes hold in most states and territories, wearing a mask in public is one of the simplest things Australians can do to stay safe. ... But how do we make sure we're wearing Read more about EXPERT Q&A: Are our masks up to scratch in the Omicron era?

Pfizer vaccine highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 in teens

Publicly released: Thu 13 Jan 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is 94 per cent effective at preventing hospitalisation as a result of the virus in teens, and 98 per cent effective at preventing a stint in ... The team looked at the Read more about Pfizer vaccine highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 in teens

Tracking COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness over the first 9 months

Publicly released: Thu 13 Jan 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

mRNA vaccines Pfizer and Moderna protect against COVID-19 infection with 94. 5 per cent and 95. ... 3 per cent at seven months, according to US research. The team used North Carolina COVID-19 Read more about Tracking COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness over the first 9 months