Resources for Journalists

Pfizer jabs aren't a heart attack risk for the over 75s

Publicly released: Tue 23 Nov 2021 at 1052 AEDT, 1252 NZDT

JAMA

Vaccination with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine does not increase the short term risk of heart attack, stroke, or other severe cardiovascular events for the over 75s, according to French research. Read more about Pfizer jabs aren't a heart attack risk for the over 75s

Looks like a gout drug won't help us fight COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 23 Nov 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

RMD Open

Early observational studies suggested that colchicine might be a useful addition to the treatments available for COVID-19 infection, and it has already found its way into clinical practice in some Read more about Looks like a gout drug won't help us fight COVID-19

Seeing the positives of pandemic public health policies

Publicly released: Mon 22 Nov 2021 at 1555 AEDT, 1755 NZDT

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

By examining the silver linings expressed by Australians during a period of significant public health restrictions and considerable uncertainty from COVID-19, this study has demonstrated the Read more about Seeing the positives of pandemic public health policies

Open borders could bring summer flu

Publicly released: Mon 22 Nov 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Given the similarities in disease presentation, diagnosis, and management, the wealth of resources made available during the COVID-19 pandemic should also be leveraged to mitigate the consequences of Read more about Open borders could bring summer flu

Are your kids keeping up at school? The new tool that helps teachers better support your child

Publicly released: Fri 19 Nov 2021 at 1700 AEDT, 1900 NZDT

There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has imposed restrictions on so many aspects of our lives, and for a lot of schools, the response has been a quick shift to ... This could seriously change the way teachers Read more about Are your kids keeping up at school? The new tool that helps teachers better support your child

Suicide rates tend to fall during pandemics

Publicly released: Fri 19 Nov 2021 at 1045 AEDT, 1245 NZDT

The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders

While suicide levels in the USA fell during the first year of the pandemic, Australian researchers warn the lower suicide rate now faces the challenge of dealing with the COVID-19 ... The opinion article, Read more about Suicide rates tend to fall during pandemics

Could the next coronavirus come from rats?

Publicly released: Fri 19 Nov 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Some types of rats could have the capacity to carry coronaviruses similar to SARS and COVID-19 without symptoms, leaving the door open for another virus to jump to humans in ... SARS-CoV-2, the virus that Read more about Could the next coronavirus come from rats?

Up to 1.6 million people in the US have had their sense of taste and smell affected long term by COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 19 Nov 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

A loss of ability to smell or taste is a common symptom of COVID-19, and US researchers believe between 700,000 and 1. ... 7 per cent of COVID-19 patients have their sense of smell and taste impacted, and Read more about Up to 1.6 million people in the US have had their sense of taste and smell affected long term by COVID-19

Pandemic increases loneliness among Australians with adverse health outcomes costing up to $2.7 billion per year

Publicly released: Fri 19 Nov 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

7 billion each year. The breadth of people’s social experiences through the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia is a special focus of the report with the authors tracking changes in ... Pre-COVID 19 data Read more about Pandemic increases loneliness among Australians with adverse health outcomes costing up to $2.7 billion per year

Mask wearing can reduce the spread of COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 18 Nov 2021 at 1430 AEDT, 1630 NZDT

The BMJ

social measures, including handwashing, mask wearing, and physical distancing are associated with reductions in the incidence covid-19 and should be continued alongside vaccination, suggest experts Read more about Mask wearing can reduce the spread of COVID-19

New analysis predicts how well vaccines will work against COVID-19 strains such as Delta – and why we need boosters

Publicly released: Thu 18 Nov 2021 at 1214 AEDT, 1414 NZDT

Vaccines have had an incredible impact in controlling the current COVID-19 outbreak and will continue to provide very good protection. ... That’s a huge win for the battle against COVID-19. ”<ENDS>The Read more about New analysis predicts how well vaccines will work against COVID-19 strains such as Delta – and why we need boosters

Parental depression could affect kids' mental health and education

Publicly released: Thu 18 Nov 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

researchers who say this has never been more important than after lockdown and COVID. ... This has never been more important than after lockdown and COVID, as depression is contagious too. Read more about Parental depression could affect kids' mental health and education

What did helplines hear from people struggling during the pandemic?

Publicly released: Thu 18 Nov 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature

The direct mental health impacts of lockdowns and the threat of COVID-19 were the most common subjects of calls to helplines at the beginning of the pandemic, according to international ... This pattern Read more about What did helplines hear from people struggling during the pandemic?

During lockdown, your screen is not always your friend

Publicly released: Wed 17 Nov 2021 at 1601 AEDT, 1801 NZDT

Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being

Too much screen time, irregular sleeping hours and constantly checking in on the news were all ways people lowered their mood during COVID-19 lockdowns, according to a Polish study. ... During the Read more about During lockdown, your screen is not always your friend

Closing NZ’s border alone wouldn’t have eliminated COVID-19 last year

Publicly released: Wed 17 Nov 2021 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

New modelling has explored other ways the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic could have played out in New Zealand in March and April 2020. ... New Zealand responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with a Read more about Closing NZ’s border alone wouldn’t have eliminated COVID-19 last year

Which animals are likely to catch and spread COVID-19?

Publicly released: Wed 17 Nov 2021 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Predicting the zoonotic capacity of mammals to transmit SARS-CoV-2Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological SciencesThis study combines structure-based 3D modeling of SARS-CoV-2 binding with Read more about Which animals are likely to catch and spread COVID-19?

Protect nature to avoid future pandemics

Publicly released: Wed 17 Nov 2021 at 1011 AEDT, 1211 NZDT

The Lancet Planetary Health

Scientists have investigated the links between the COVID-19 pandemic and the deterioration of the world’s ecosystems and their biodiversity, discovering feedback loops that suggest a potential Read more about Protect nature to avoid future pandemics

Jobs and 'health anxiety' may explain why some people experience poor mental health after COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 17 Nov 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

People's occupations and their level of health anxiety may be complicating links between COVID-19 and mental health problems, say UK researchers. ... The researchers looked at people who had positive Read more about Jobs and 'health anxiety' may explain why some people experience poor mental health after COVID-19

Is it time for a 'vaccine tax' for rich nations to help supply in poorer regions?

Publicly released: Tue 16 Nov 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

Journal of Medical Ethics

While wealthy countries around the world are beginning COVID-19 booster programs and vaccinating children, some countries have barely begun their rollout for their most vulnerable citizens. Read more about Is it time for a 'vaccine tax' for rich nations to help supply in poorer regions?

Automated text service for COVID-19 saved 2 lives a week

Publicly released: Tue 16 Nov 2021 at 0901 AEDT, 1101 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

a week during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and overall, the patients who enrolled in that system were 68 percent less likely to die than those not using ... text messaging system, called COVID Read more about Automated text service for COVID-19 saved 2 lives a week