Resources for Journalists

Complications in pregnancy and birth increase with COVID-19 infection

Publicly released: Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

The team suggest that vaccination may be useful to protect women and their babies, particularly for women at a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 infections. ... Few studies have looked at Read more about Complications in pregnancy and birth increase with COVID-19 infection

HIV diagnoses in Australia lowest since 1980s, but COVID-19 a likely driver

Publicly released: Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 0100 AEDT, 0300 NZDT

While the reductions are encouraging and reinforce a downward trend over the past six years, experts warn that the numbersneed to be interpreted with caution, as ... and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is Read more about HIV diagnoses in Australia lowest since 1980s, but COVID-19 a likely driver

Cancer survival rates are improving in Australia

Publicly released: Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had at least some effect on the uptake of cancer-related services. ... Harvey said. ‘The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer diagnosis and treatment will Read more about Cancer survival rates are improving in Australia

The top 10 medicines prescribed in Australia in 2020-21

Publicly released: Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Australian Prescriber

and anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Top 10 medicines in this COVID yearA depression medicine has climbed the list and two antibiotics have dropped in the top 10 prescribed medicines Read more about The top 10 medicines prescribed in Australia in 2020-21

Immunocompromised people three times more likely to get COVID-19 after vaccination

Publicly released: Tue 30 Nov 2021 at 1601 AEDT, 1801 NZDT

Journal of Medical Economics

2 million people shows COVID-19 infections in the ‘fully’ vaccinated are rare but are more common and severe in people with weaker immune systems. ... Several countries are currently experiencing a Read more about Immunocompromised people three times more likely to get COVID-19 after vaccination

EXPERT REACTION: Victoria creates Australia's first mRNA COVID vaccine

Publicly released: Tue 30 Nov 2021 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford today announced 450 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate have been produced in Boronia, enabling 150 people to take Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Victoria creates Australia's first mRNA COVID vaccine

Telehealth-delivered diet and exercise program eased knee pain and triggered weight loss

Publicly released: Tue 30 Nov 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

2 per cent. New research investigating the benefits of telehealth-delivered exercise and diet programs has found 80 per cent of participants experienced improvement in knee pain and an average of Read more about Telehealth-delivered diet and exercise program eased knee pain and triggered weight loss

Long COVID linked to chronic fatigue syndrome

Publicly released: Tue 30 Nov 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

JACC: Heart Failure

is the first of its kind to identify a correlation between long-haul COVID-19 and chronic fatigue syndrome. ... Patients had been previously diagnosed with acute COVID-19 infection for a range of three to Read more about Long COVID linked to chronic fatigue syndrome

Aussies and Kiwis now have the world's highest level of trust in scientists

Publicly released: Mon 29 Nov 2021 at 2200 AEDT, Tue 30 Nov 21 at 0000 NZDT

nurses. During the Covid-19 pandemic, more than three-quarters of people globally said they trust science (80%) and scientists (77%) either ‘a lot’ or ‘some,’ according to the Wellcome Global Read more about Aussies and Kiwis now have the world's highest level of trust in scientists

EXPERT REACTION: Omicron COVID variant - your questions answered

Publicly released: Mon 29 Nov 2021 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

With Christmas just around the corner the new Omicron variant has arrived to throw a COVID shaped spanner in the works. ... Some of these answers also come from expert comments gathered over the weekend Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Omicron COVID variant - your questions answered

1 in 6 women with endometriosis have lost jobs due to the condition

Publicly released: Mon 29 Nov 2021 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ANZJOG),

That fact that an overwhelming majority of women with endometriosis have benefited from the shift to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important insight. ... The survey results are Read more about 1 in 6 women with endometriosis have lost jobs due to the condition

The AusSMC's Top 10 Science Stories 2021

Publicly released: Mon 29 Nov 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

The SARS-CoV-2 virus continued its relentless spread as new variants evolved, outpacing government plans around the world and forcing millions into extended lockdowns, COP26 aimed high on climate Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 Science Stories 2021

EXPERT REACTION: Omicron, new variant of concern

Publicly released: Sat 27 Nov 2021 at 1948 AEDT, 2148 NZDT

The SARS-CoV-2 virus B. 1. 1. 529 variant of concern was named Omicron by the WHO overnight. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Omicron, new variant of concern

Twenty-seven top innovators honoured by Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering

Publicly released: Fri 26 Nov 2021 at 1201 AEDT, 1401 NZDT

One of Australia’s most esteemed Aboriginal educators, Australia’s leading net zero emissions innovators, a bush-fire predictor and an inventor of rapid COVID-19 saliva testing are among the Read more about Twenty-seven top innovators honoured by Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering

High vaccination rates may mean more lockdown rule-breakers

Publicly released: Fri 26 Nov 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

The authors observed that the increase in household mixing by mid-February 2021 during the third lockdown coincided with the wider COVID-19 vaccine rollout across England. ... The authors conclude their Read more about High vaccination rates may mean more lockdown rule-breakers

“Covid did distract us from other diagnosis” - GPs and nurses discuss impacts of pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 26 Nov 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Up to 164 GPs, nurse practitioners, and nurses were surveyed about how the COVID-19 pandemic changed how they delivered primary healthcare over the course of May to August last year. ... Certain medical Read more about “Covid did distract us from other diagnosis” - GPs and nurses discuss impacts of pandemic

Rapid PCR test just as good as standard nasal swabs

Publicly released: Fri 26 Nov 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Kiwi researchers have tested out different kinds of rapid Covid-19 tests to assess how well they’d fare compared to our current testing methods. ... PCR is the current gold standard for detecting the Read more about Rapid PCR test just as good as standard nasal swabs

The longer it's been since your COVID-19 vaccine, the more likely you are to be infected

Publicly released: Thu 25 Nov 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Researchers used electronic health records to analyse how often vaccinated people were receiving positive COVID-19 tests, and how long it had been since their vaccination. ... Across the world, large Read more about The longer it's been since your COVID-19 vaccine, the more likely you are to be infected

Severe COVID-19 appears less likely when you're infected for a second time

Publicly released: Thu 25 Nov 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Those people who become infected with COVID-19 a second time are far less likely to have a severe form of the virus, according to research out of Qatar. ... The researchers looked at population data to Read more about Severe COVID-19 appears less likely when you're infected for a second time

Did COVID-19 become more lethal in 2020?

Publicly released: Thu 25 Nov 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

K. in late 2020, while also suggesting that multiple factors—not just the alpha variant of the virus that causes COVID-19—were to blame. ... 1. 1. 7) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which was more infectious Read more about Did COVID-19 become more lethal in 2020?