Resources for Journalists

Being grumpy is the most common COVID-19 vaccine side effect in young kids

Publicly released: Tue 26 Nov 2024 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Irritability is the most common side effect following COVID-19 vaccination in kids under 2, according to a study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ... The researchers looked at Read more about Being grumpy is the most common COVID-19 vaccine side effect in young kids

Calorie labelling policy did not affect calorie consumption in the UK

Publicly released: Tue 26 Nov 2024 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

underestimated the energy content of their meal less, and also reported they were more likely to notice the and use the calorie labelling. ... The authors note that their findings are based on Read more about Calorie labelling policy did not affect calorie consumption in the UK

Is long COVID actually a 'long infection'?

Publicly released: Mon 25 Nov 2024 at 1340 AEDT, 1540 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Lingering SARS-CoV-2 infection may be driving long COVIDEmerging evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for causing COVID-19, can remain in the body for months, potentially fueling Read more about Is long COVID actually a 'long infection'?

When disaster strikes, new toolkit puts power in hands of the most vulnerable

Publicly released: Mon 25 Nov 2024 at 1133 AEDT, 1333 NZDT

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

Further publications from the team are available on ScienceDirect and include The effect of the Australian bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviours in people with multiple sclerosis - Read more about When disaster strikes, new toolkit puts power in hands of the most vulnerable

What makes the stonefish the most venomous known fish?

Publicly released: Wed 20 Nov 2024 at 1901 AEDT, 2101 NZDT

FEBS Open Bio

The stonefish Synanceia verrucosa and Synanceia horrida are considered the most venomous fish we know of, and the researchers used multiple techniques to analyse the molecular composition of their Read more about What makes the stonefish the most venomous known fish?

The lived experience of Australians with disabilities during COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 20 Nov 2024 at 1210 AEDT, 1410 NZDT

Disability & Society

Disruptions to support services during the COVID-19 pandemic led Australians with disabilities to report significant declines in life satisfaction and mental health, a new study from Flinders Read more about The lived experience of Australians with disabilities during COVID-19

Health spending in Australia has returned to pre-pandemic levels

Publicly released: Wed 20 Nov 2024 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

The reports have shown the decrease in public spending between 2022-23, largely associated with reduced spending related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as vaccines and personal protective equipment. Read more about Health spending in Australia has returned to pre-pandemic levels

Bridging the gap: how social engagement can protect against dementia

Publicly released: Mon 18 Nov 2024 at 1615 AEDT, 1815 NZDT

In Australia, approximately one in three people feel lonely some, if not all of the time, up from one in four since before the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Dr Samtani says it is important to note the difference Read more about Bridging the gap: how social engagement can protect against dementia

Measles cases surge worldwide

Publicly released: Fri 15 Nov 2024 at 1029 AEDT, 1229 NZDT

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to invest in efforts to increase access. ... recovery of the measles backsliding resulting from COVID-19 pandemic, and Read more about Measles cases surge worldwide

Gaps identified in disease surveillance

Publicly released: Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 0100 AEDT, 0300 NZDT

BMC Health Services Research

Over 18 months the team analysed the responses to four different disease groups in the region: COVID-19, tuberculosis, sexually transmissible infections, and arboviruses. ... She said the findings could Read more about Gaps identified in disease surveillance

COVID-19 restrictions cut the spread of flu, until we all got back on planes

Publicly released: Fri 8 Nov 2024 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

Science

In 2020, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) introduced to combat COVID-19 – such as lockdown policies, mandated social distancing, masking, and travel bans – dramatically impacted influenza Read more about COVID-19 restrictions cut the spread of flu, until we all got back on planes

Wedded bliss: Married people are less likely to be depressed

Publicly released: Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

The risk of depression for unmarried individuals was also found to be higher in male individuals and those who had higher educational attainment. ... Unmarried participants in Western countries (including Read more about Wedded bliss: Married people are less likely to be depressed

Developing a test to better track whooping cough strains amid national outbreak

Publicly released: Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 0100 AEDT, 0300 NZDT

Journal of Clinical Microbiology

Outbreak patternsPrevious research from the team suggests that whooping cough may be evolving under vaccine pressure, much like we saw with COVID-19. ... After an outbreak in 2019, border closures and Read more about Developing a test to better track whooping cough strains amid national outbreak

How NZ avoided a 'triple-demic' of RSV, COVID-19, and influenza

Publicly released: Fri 1 Nov 2024 at 1025 AEDT, 1225 NZDT

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmission was eliminated for twelve months in New Zealand thanks to border-closures, social distancing and facemask use in 2020. ... Since RSV returned to New Zealand Read more about How NZ avoided a 'triple-demic' of RSV, COVID-19, and influenza

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned us into homebodies

Publicly released: Thu 31 Oct 2024 at 1501 AEDT, 1701 NZDT

Journal of the American Planning Association

People are staying home far more since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to US researchers who say urban planning should adapt to this new normal. ... occurred when COVID-19 first hit have remained, with Read more about The COVID-19 pandemic has turned us into homebodies

Long COVID inflammation damages the heart

Publicly released: Thu 31 Oct 2024 at 0940 AEDT, 1140 NZDT

Nature Microbiology

We discovered elevated levels of cytokines, proteins which help control inflammation in the body, in the blood samples of people at about 18 months post-infection with SARS-CoV-2,” Dr ... It’s only Read more about Long COVID inflammation damages the heart

Ancient gene offers new clue to disease susceptibility for First Nations people

Publicly released: Wed 30 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

Cell

This is crucial because they can either eliminate low level infection completely or buy time for the generation of virus-specific immunity. ... First Nations people globally, including Aboriginal and Read more about Ancient gene offers new clue to disease susceptibility for First Nations people

EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report

Publicly released: Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 1629 AEDT, 1829 NZDT

The Federal Government has released the report from the independent inquiry into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The report identifies 19 immediate actions for the next 12-18 months, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report

Children at a healthy weight could be at a lower risk of Long COVID symptoms

Publicly released: Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

While weight is a known risk factor for severe COVID-19 symptoms during the infection, international researchers say it also impacts the risk of Long COVID symptoms in children. ... The team collected US Read more about Children at a healthy weight could be at a lower risk of Long COVID symptoms

Your parenting style can literally shape your child's brain

Publicly released: Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

Warm parenting was associated with localised brain structure differenced in middle childhood, and the researchers say children who experienced warmer parenting during this time also reported lower Read more about Your parenting style can literally shape your child's brain