Resources for Journalists

EXPERT REACTION: Shingles vaccine reduces dementia risk by a fifth over seven years

Publicly released: Thu 3 Apr 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

Nature

Recent studies have found associations between herpes virus infections and an increased risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, raising the question of whether vaccination might Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Shingles vaccine reduces dementia risk by a fifth over seven years

Antibiotics found to hinder vaccine response in infants

Publicly released: Thu 3 Apr 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

Nature

Blood and stool samples will be collected to assess how the probiotics impact the infants’ microbiome and subsequent vaccine responsiveness. ... who incur repeated gastrointestinal tract infections and Read more about Antibiotics found to hinder vaccine response in infants

Mask mandates changed the factors that predict Aussie's willingness to wear a face mask

Publicly released: Wed 26 Mar 2025 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

The factors that predict whether Australians are likely to wear a face mask or not were different before and after mask mandates came into effect during the pandemic, according to Australian Read more about Mask mandates changed the factors that predict Aussie's willingness to wear a face mask

The AusSMC celebrates 20 years of fighting misinformation with evidence

Publicly released: Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 1150 AEDT, 1350 NZDT

The Australian Science Media Centre is turning 20 this week, celebrating two decades of helping journalists cover some of the biggest stories of the century, from the COVID-19 pandemic and Read more about The AusSMC celebrates 20 years of fighting misinformation with evidence

Almost half of children with complicated appendicitis can recover from surgery at home

Publicly released: Fri 21 Mar 2025 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Journal of Pediatric Surgery

MCRI Associate Professor Warwick Teague said the HITH program, used heavily during the COVID-19 pandemic, had the added benefits of reduced hospital and family costs, improved quality of life, less Read more about Almost half of children with complicated appendicitis can recover from surgery at home

Soundcheck for survival: Regional live music venues burnt out by industry struggles

Publicly released: Thu 20 Mar 2025 at 1350 AEDT, 1550 NZDT

Popular Music and Society

It’s estimated that in the four years since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Australia has lost more than 1300 live music venues and stages due to a steep increase in ... Regional venues face unique Read more about Soundcheck for survival: Regional live music venues burnt out by industry struggles

Those who reminisce about the good old days are likely to keep more friendships

Publicly released: Thu 13 Mar 2025 at 1501 AEDT, 1701 NZDT

Cognition and Emotion

The students were aged 19, on average. They had an average of seven people they were very close to – so close that it would be difficult to imagine life without them. ... Covid pandemic. Read more about Those who reminisce about the good old days are likely to keep more friendships

No countries on track to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals

Publicly released: Thu 13 Mar 2025 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

PLOS One

In 2015, UN member countries adopted the Sustainable Development Goals with the aim of achieving “peace and prosperity for people and the planet. ” ... However, setbacks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Read more about No countries on track to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals

Parkinson's cases set to hit 25 million worldwide by 2050

Publicly released: Thu 6 Mar 2025 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

territories from 2022 to 2050 and the factors driving changes in Parkinson’s disease cases. ... and being unable to accurately predict the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in various ethnic groups, Read more about Parkinson's cases set to hit 25 million worldwide by 2050

COVID-19 not linked to increase in pre-diabetes condition in Aussie children

Publicly released: Tue 4 Mar 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

The COVID-19 pandemic saw an increase in new cases of type 1 diabetes (T1D) around the world, but researchers have been unable to determine whether the virus which causes ... Global research has explored Read more about COVID-19 not linked to increase in pre-diabetes condition in Aussie children

COVID-19 hospital patients face serious health risks up to 2.5 years later

Publicly released: Fri 28 Feb 2025 at 1601 AEDT, 1801 NZDT

Infectious Diseases

healthcare and monitoring for people who have been hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection. ... While much attention has been given to the immediate dangers of the virus,” Dr Tubiana adds, “our Read more about COVID-19 hospital patients face serious health risks up to 2.5 years later

Protecting Kiwi kids' respiratory health

Publicly released: Fri 28 Feb 2025 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Respiratory hospitalisations among Aotearoa's under-14s dropped early in the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a big increase and the rapid reappearance of health inequities among Māori and Pacific Read more about Protecting Kiwi kids' respiratory health

Global demand for palliative care has risen by 74% in the past 30 years

Publicly released: Thu 27 Feb 2025 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

Access to PC remains poor globally despite a growing need, and the authors of the new study highlight it as one of the most overlooked areas of healthcare. ... It found that while the need for PC due to Read more about Global demand for palliative care has risen by 74% in the past 30 years

COVID-19 vaccines may help protect kids from Long COVID

Publicly released: Tue 25 Feb 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The authors say these findings suggest benefits of COVID-19 vaccination beyond protection against acute COVID-19 infection and may encourage increased uptake in kids. ... COVID-19 condition in children Read more about COVID-19 vaccines may help protect kids from Long COVID

No increase in sudden cardiac deaths in athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Mon 24 Feb 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Among Young Competitive Athletes Before and During the COVID-19 PandemicJAMA Network Open Research LetterAbout JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access Read more about No increase in sudden cardiac deaths in athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID antiviral drug Paxlovid may not reduce hospitalisations in the vaccinated elderly

Publicly released: Fri 21 Feb 2025 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA

Although prescriptions of the antiviral COVID-19 drug Paxlovid doubled in 2022 in Canada, there was no matching drop in hospitalisations or death rates among highly vaccinated older adults, according Read more about COVID antiviral drug Paxlovid may not reduce hospitalisations in the vaccinated elderly

New mRNA vaccine has potential to help fight tuberculosis when tested in mice

Publicly released: Thu 20 Feb 2025 at 1532 AEDT, 1732 NZDT

eBioMedicine

This study is an important step in demonstrating that mRNA technology is not just for COVID-19 but could be a game-changer for bacterial diseases like TB. ... Professor Colin Pouton from Monash University, Read more about New mRNA vaccine has potential to help fight tuberculosis when tested in mice

New clues to a healthy mother and baby during pregnancy

Publicly released: Tue 18 Feb 2025 at 1041 AEDT, 1241 NZDT

Cell, Death & Disease

Researchers from Flinders University have applied advanced gene editing to explore how an enzyme, made famous in the COVID-19 pandemic, plays a pivotal role in the healthy development of the Read more about New clues to a healthy mother and baby during pregnancy

Global action needed to solve the medical oxygen crisis

Publicly released: Tue 18 Feb 2025 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

Sweden and the Every Breath Counts Coalition in the US was launched in 2022 against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Previous efforts, including the major investments in response to the COVID-19 Read more about Global action needed to solve the medical oxygen crisis

Australian COVID-19 patient successfully cured with a lung transplant

Publicly released: Tue 18 Feb 2025 at 1005 AEDT, 1205 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

The previously healthy 61-year-old man spent six months in hospital after initially presenting with respiratory failure and a positive COVID-19 test, with various complications leaving him on life Read more about Australian COVID-19 patient successfully cured with a lung transplant