Resources for Journalists

Samoan plant could be as good as widely-popular painkiller, finds indigenous-led study

Publicly released: Tue 2 Nov 2021 at 0752 AEDT, 0952 NZDT

PNAS

Also, molecular studies published last year predicted rutin as a strong contender in inhibiting the viral replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. ” ... The Scientific Research Read more about Samoan plant could be as good as widely-popular painkiller, finds indigenous-led study

COVID-19 got you crying? Antibodies in tears may not protect against the virus

Publicly released: Tue 2 Nov 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Clinical & Translational Immunology

COVID-19 antibodies are detectable in tears following infection and vaccination, say Australian researchers, although whether they can play a protective role and actually neutralise the virus Read more about COVID-19 got you crying? Antibodies in tears may not protect against the virus

Brain blood clot risk still low, but increases after Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Publicly released: Tue 2 Nov 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

While the risk remains low, those vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are more likely to develop a blood clot in their brain than the general population, according to ... 02 per 100,000 Read more about Brain blood clot risk still low, but increases after Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Counting women in COVID-19 vaccine research

Publicly released: Tue 2 Nov 2021 at 0000 AEDT, 0200 NZDT

Frontiers in Global Women's Health

We found women have been recruited equally for randomised control trials for COVID-19 vaccines and in observational research the majority of participants were women. ... The study examined more than 300 Read more about Counting women in COVID-19 vaccine research

‘Starkly low’ research funding for eating disorders

Publicly released: Mon 1 Nov 2021 at 1531 AEDT, 1731 NZDT

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

As the COVID-19 pandemic underpins a rise in mental health problems globally, experts are raising a red flag on ‘starkly lower’ government funding for research and delivery of effective eating Read more about ‘Starkly low’ research funding for eating disorders

Needle-free COVID-19 vaccine shows promise

Publicly released: Sat 30 Oct 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

Science Advances

A needle-free COVID-19 vaccination could be possible, with University of Queensland scientists successfully protecting mice from the virus by administering a US-developed vaccine candidate with a Read more about Needle-free COVID-19 vaccine shows promise

It may be safe to open schools with Covid prevention in place

Publicly released: Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 1122 AEDT, 1322 NZDT

Nature Medicine

A US study found that opening schools for face-to-face learning did not often lead to more Covid-19 infection. ... A separate Japanese study found no significant differences between infection rates in Read more about It may be safe to open schools with Covid prevention in place

Antidepressant fluvoxamine a promising COVID-19 treatment

Publicly released: Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

The results represent an important step in understanding the role of fluvoxamine as a treatment for outpatients with COVID-19 and finding inexpensive, widely available, and effective therapies Read more about Antidepressant fluvoxamine a promising COVID-19 treatment

Double vaxxed people can still pass on Delta in the home, but the chances are lower

Publicly released: Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

research. The team studied 621 people identified through the UK contact tracing system, and found that 25 per cent of vaccinated household contacts of a COVID-19 infected person tested positive Read more about Double vaxxed people can still pass on Delta in the home, but the chances are lower

Children with mental health problems at increased risk of mental disorders as adults

Publicly released: Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews

Given the COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded mental health problems, it’s even more vital to assess for mental health problems in young children and to design, evaluate, and implement Read more about Children with mental health problems at increased risk of mental disorders as adults

Australia 2nd in the world for ice use

Publicly released: Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

The researchers believe these declines could be caused by COVID-19 pandemic-related declines in festivals and open entertainment venues along with decreased imports of illicit drugs. ... This pre-dated Read more about Australia 2nd in the world for ice use

COVID-19 variants a threat to vaccinated cancer patients

Publicly released: Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

Nature Cancer

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination assessed in patients with cancerPatients with cancer who have been double-vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 have diminished levels of neutralizing Read more about COVID-19 variants a threat to vaccinated cancer patients

COVID-19 treatment sotrovimab could be helpful for high-risk patients

Publicly released: Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

NEJM

Sotrovimab could be a helpful COVID-19 treatment for high-risk patients, according to international researchers who saw reduced disease progression when given early on in the course of the disease. Read more about COVID-19 treatment sotrovimab could be helpful for high-risk patients

Pfizer effectiveness wanes in all age groups after a few months

Publicly released: Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

During a surge of the Delta variant in July, the researchers compared the COVID-19 rates among those vaccinated when they were first eligible in early 2021 and those who were ... 2 times more likely to be Read more about Pfizer effectiveness wanes in all age groups after a few months

Those who feel invincible to COVID-19 are less likely to take action against it

Publicly released: Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

The study recruited people on social media and surveyed them on their beliefs around their own personal vulnerability to COVID-19 and how willing they were to get vaccinated or take ... get vaccinated Read more about Those who feel invincible to COVID-19 are less likely to take action against it

EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves Pfizer boosters, to be available from Nov 8

Publicly released: Wed 27 Oct 2021 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, to be administered six months after the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. ... The Federal Government Read more about EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves Pfizer boosters, to be available from Nov 8

Cutting cataract surgery wait times would prevent thousands of falls while also saving money

Publicly released: Wed 27 Oct 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

Public Health Research & Practice

These estimates do not include the extra waits created by the COVID-related elective surgery pause. ... org/10. 17061/phrp31342116. This link can be included in news stories and will be active once the Read more about Cutting cataract surgery wait times would prevent thousands of falls while also saving money

Vascular disease in COVID-19 is not caused by viral infection of blood vessels

Publicly released: Wed 27 Oct 2021 at 0430 AEDT, 0630 NZDT

Clinical and translational Immunology

The SARS-CoV-2 virus does not infect blood vessels, despite the high risk of blood clots to COVID-19 patients, University of Queensland researchers have found. ... any. “Knowing that it is inflammation Read more about Vascular disease in COVID-19 is not caused by viral infection of blood vessels

People may not drop their social distancing habits after they're vaccinated

Publicly released: Wed 27 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

People who have received two COVID-19 vaccines may not change their behaviour when it comes to social distancing compared to how they acted before vaccination, according to an international survey. Read more about People may not drop their social distancing habits after they're vaccinated

How does your allergy history affect your risk of reacting to Pfizer or Moderna vaccines?

Publicly released: Wed 27 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Those with a history of severe allergic reactions, including to vaccines or medications, are more likely to have an allergic reaction to the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, according to Read more about How does your allergy history affect your risk of reacting to Pfizer or Moderna vaccines?