Resources for Journalists

Could a smartphone app be used to detect COVID-19?

Publicly released: Sat 29 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

A smartphone-based test could be the answer to fast, cheap, and sensitive testing for diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza according to international researchers. ... The team tested their device on Read more about Could a smartphone app be used to detect COVID-19?

EXPERT REACTION: Should we be worried about the new Omicron sub variant BA.2?

Publicly released: Fri 28 Jan 2022 at 1009 AEDT, 1209 NZDT

Scientists and health officials around the world are keeping their eyes on a descendant of the Omicron variant that has been found in at least 40 countries, including Australia. ... This version of the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Should we be worried about the new Omicron sub variant BA.2?

Researchers target 'Jekyll and Hyde' bacteria behind respiratory infections

Publicly released: Fri 28 Jan 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Pathogens

Researchers have discovered a way to kill a type of bacteria that causes millions of respiratory infections in children and the elderly, paving the way for more effective treatment. ... More sinisterly, Read more about Researchers target 'Jekyll and Hyde' bacteria behind respiratory infections

Moderna still maintains protection against COVID-19 hospitalisation over time

Publicly released: Thu 27 Jan 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

While immunity from COVID-19 infection after the Moderna vaccine wanes from four months after the second dose protection against severe disease remains, according to Qatar research. ... However, the Read more about Moderna still maintains protection against COVID-19 hospitalisation over time

Cancer immunotherapy treatment can reverse HIV latency

Publicly released: Thu 27 Jan 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

Science Translational Medicine

and co-lead of this latest clinical trial - and her team, found the PD1 exhaustion markers allow the virus to go into hiding. ... the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about Cancer immunotherapy treatment can reverse HIV latency

COVID tests well tolerated by Aussie school kids

Publicly released: Thu 27 Jan 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

BMJ Open

A study conducted across 40 Western Australian schools has found that COVID testing using a combined nose and throat swab was well tolerated by kids as young as four, with 71 ... The study found that Read more about COVID tests well tolerated by Aussie school kids

Your gut bugs may determine whether you get long COVID

Publicly released: Wed 26 Jan 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

GUT

of the gut microbiome may be linked to a person’s risk of developing ‘long COVID’ many months after initial infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 ... And they conclude: “In Read more about Your gut bugs may determine whether you get long COVID

COVID-19 hospitalisation linked to greater risk of later readmission or death

Publicly released: Wed 26 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

A large study in the UK found that, compared to the general population, people who had been hospitalised for COVID-19 - and survived for at least one week after discharge - were ... England found that, Read more about COVID-19 hospitalisation linked to greater risk of later readmission or death

Can we predict who will get long COVID?

Publicly released: Wed 26 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection can affect many organs and even after clearance of the infection, symptoms can persist long term. ... 53. 9% of mild and 82. 2% of severe COVID-19 cases developed PACS, defined Read more about Can we predict who will get long COVID?

Myocarditis rare but possible following mRNA COVID vaccine

Publicly released: Wed 26 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA

Myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle - is a rare but serious adverse event that can occur after receiving an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, according to international researchers who looked Read more about Myocarditis rare but possible following mRNA COVID vaccine

Prioritise children’s wellbeing amid a COVID return to school

Publicly released: Tue 25 Jan 2022 at 1538 AEDT, 1738 NZDT

UniSA’s Professor Marjory Ebbeck says while COVID-19 remains prominent in media and everyday discussions, helping children think positively about their new school year will be important for their Read more about Prioritise children’s wellbeing amid a COVID return to school

How COVID-19 patients in ICU are tracking, one year on

Publicly released: Tue 25 Jan 2022 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

JAMA

Three in four COVID-19 patients who survived after being admitted to an intensive care unit are still experiencing physical symptoms one year on, according to a Dutch study. ... Researchers followed up Read more about How COVID-19 patients in ICU are tracking, one year on

Wait times for elective surgery increasing during the pandemic in Australia

Publicly released: Tue 25 Jan 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

While more Australians were admitted to hospital for elective surgery in the financial year 2020-2021 than 2019-2020, people are still waiting longer for their surgeries as COVID-19 continues Read more about Wait times for elective surgery increasing during the pandemic in Australia

Sleep routines set kids up for success at school

Publicly released: Mon 24 Jan 2022 at 1111 AEDT, 1311 NZDT

With the uncertainties surrounding schools amid COVID-19, a consistent sleep routine can help managing stress and anxiety. ... in the eveningKeep the bedroom dark, cool and quietGet kids involved in Read more about Sleep routines set kids up for success at school

Indirect impacts of COVID-19 pandemic take significant toll on children

Publicly released: Mon 24 Jan 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

found the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children were either repeated or extended from previous pandemics, epidemics and natural disasters and were exacerbated by a lack of health Read more about Indirect impacts of COVID-19 pandemic take significant toll on children

Medical billing mistakes due to flawed system

Publicly released: Sat 22 Jan 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Continual changes due to Covid-19, such as those around telehealth, also add to the confusion. ... Compliance has become almost impossible for doctors, and the system needs urgent reform. Read more about Medical billing mistakes due to flawed system

‘Negativity bias' could make depressed people more vulnerable to misinformation

Publicly released: Sat 22 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Follow-up questionnaires found that people who reported moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms in the first survey were more likely to have more misinformed beliefs after one and two months. Read more about ‘Negativity bias' could make depressed people more vulnerable to misinformation

Shhhhh - not talking and wearing a mask may help you avoid COVID-19 on your next flight

Publicly released: Fri 21 Jan 2022 at 1230 AEDT, 1430 NZDT

Indoor Air

Researchers simulate SARS-COV-2 transmission and infection on airline flights A study published in Indoor Air simulated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on ... When Read more about Shhhhh - not talking and wearing a mask may help you avoid COVID-19 on your next flight

Boosted or breakthrough, number of COVID-19 exposures may be key to antibody response

Publicly released: Fri 21 Jan 2022 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

Cell

The number of times you've been exposed to COVID-19 may be more important than the type of exposure, be it infection or vaccination, say US scientists. ... The authors say the data suggests that the more Read more about Boosted or breakthrough, number of COVID-19 exposures may be key to antibody response

Pfizer booster over 50% protective against Omicron

Publicly released: Fri 21 Jan 2022 at 1009 AEDT, 1209 NZDT

Nature Medicine

A booster dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2) against SARS-CoV-2 after an initial two doses of either the CoronaVac inactivated virus vaccine or Pfizer–BioNTech mRNA vaccine is Read more about Pfizer booster over 50% protective against Omicron