Resources for Journalists

Primary schools can significantly contribute to COVID-19 spread

Publicly released: Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The researchers say the majority of COVID-19 cases were a result of transmissions at the school, and most household transmissions began with a member of the household catching COVID-19 ... What The Study Read more about Primary schools can significantly contribute to COVID-19 spread

This laser is supposed to rejuvenate vaginal tissue. But it may be no better than a placebo

Publicly released: Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA

from a placebo treatment – and surprisingly, it found there was no difference between the two. ... The team hope to see the results in a year’s time, depending on COVID-19 interruptions. Read more about This laser is supposed to rejuvenate vaginal tissue. But it may be no better than a placebo

Ada Lovelace Day to highlight impact of COVID-19 on vital research

Publicly released: Tue 12 Oct 2021 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

work caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ... by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about Ada Lovelace Day to highlight impact of COVID-19 on vital research

If you're vaccinated, your unvaccinated family members are less likely to get COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 12 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

The more people in a household are vaccinated or have immunity to COVID-19 from a previous infection, the less likely it is unvaccinated members of the household will become infected, ... The study Read more about If you're vaccinated, your unvaccinated family members are less likely to get COVID-19

Older people were more likely to do things for the good of us all during the pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 12 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

Nature Aging

Older people are more likely to do things that benefit others, such as social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic and making charitable donations, according to international research. Read more about Older people were more likely to do things for the good of us all during the pandemic

EXPERT REACTION: NSW opening up for the fully vaccinated

Publicly released: Mon 11 Oct 2021 at 1703 AEDT, 1903 NZDT

Sydney has partially opened itself up to fully vaccinated individuals after NSW has reached its target of 70 per cent of the population to be double-dosed. ... Below, Australian experts respond to the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: NSW opening up for the fully vaccinated

Back to work after lockdown - how do we create COVID-safe workplaces and schools?

Publicly released: Mon 11 Oct 2021 at 1500 AEDT, 1700 NZDT

Overseas experience with the Delta variant shows that vaccines alone are not enough to control COVID-19, and that a layered plan including safe indoor air, masks, testing, tracing and work Read more about Back to work after lockdown - how do we create COVID-safe workplaces and schools?

COVID-19 positive pregnant women and their newborns could face additional health risks

Publicly released: Mon 11 Oct 2021 at 1001 AEDT, 1201 NZDT

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine

women with COVID-19, adds further weight to the argument for pregnant women to be vaccinated for the virus. ... However, There were significant differences between the COVID-19-positive and healthy Read more about COVID-19 positive pregnant women and their newborns could face additional health risks

16-year-old law could deny telehealth services for voluntary assisted dying

Publicly released: Mon 11 Oct 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)

Dr Close said telehealth was now an integral part of health care and had expanded exponentially during the COVID pandemic in Australia. ... Uncertainty about liability under the Code has unfortunately Read more about 16-year-old law could deny telehealth services for voluntary assisted dying

Pandemic linked to rising rates of depressive and anxiety disorders

Publicly released: Sat 9 Oct 2021 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

The Lancet

Cases of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders have increased by more than 25 per cent worldwide, according to a world-first study of the impact of COVID-19 on mental ... estimated people living Read more about Pandemic linked to rising rates of depressive and anxiety disorders

EXPERT REACTION: Long COVID gains official recognition

Publicly released: Fri 8 Oct 2021 at 1230 AEDT, 1430 NZDT

The illness affects more than 1 in 3 people who have had Covid-19 disease, according to a recent study. ... Post COVID-19 condition occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Long COVID gains official recognition

EXPERT REACTION: ATAGI recommends booster shots for severely immunocompromised

Publicly released: Fri 8 Oct 2021 at 1218 AEDT, 1418 NZDT

ATAGI says an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is preferred over the AstraZeneca vaccine for this 3rd dose. ... They recommend the 3rd dose be given 2 to 6 months after the 2nd dose of vaccine. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: ATAGI recommends booster shots for severely immunocompromised

Baby boys of hungry mums may grow up to have more fat, less muscle

Publicly released: Fri 8 Oct 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

The research team says ensuring accessibility to nutritious foods is more important now than ever as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to plunge more families into poverty. ... Currently in Aotearoa, Read more about Baby boys of hungry mums may grow up to have more fat, less muscle

Half the world 'practicing medicine blind' without quality diagnosis services

Publicly released: Thu 7 Oct 2021 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

The Lancet

The COVID-19 pandemic has put testing at the top of the political and global health agenda, and it must be a turning point in ensuring we prioritise diagnostics for all ... Genetic testing to identify SARS Read more about Half the world 'practicing medicine blind' without quality diagnosis services

How much does Pfizer effectiveness decline over time?

Publicly released: Thu 7 Oct 2021 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

A study estimated the effectiveness of the vaccine in people in Qatar from January to September, 2021 using reported cases of COVID-19 and severe to fatal cases. ... They found around six months after Read more about How much does Pfizer effectiveness decline over time?

Young men are the group most at risk from myocarditis, especially after the second Pfizer jab

Publicly released: Thu 7 Oct 2021 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Two studies looking at cases of myocarditis following vaccination with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine have confirmed that young men are at the highest risk. ... One study found there were around 2. 13 cases Read more about Young men are the group most at risk from myocarditis, especially after the second Pfizer jab

Pandemic stress especially high for nurses

Publicly released: Thu 7 Oct 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Healthcare workers, women, and people under 50 experienced especially high levels of stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to international researchers, who say nurses were Read more about Pandemic stress especially high for nurses

What level of antibody response protects against COVID-19 death?

Publicly released: Wed 6 Oct 2021 at 1501 AEDT, 1701 NZDT

Journal of Internal Medicine

The study also provided evidence of the importance of antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 - the antibodies induced by vaccination - to block the virus’ replication, the scientists say Read more about What level of antibody response protects against COVID-19 death?

Can butterfly wings help detect COVID-19 faster?

Publicly released: Tue 5 Oct 2021 at 1712 AEDT, 1912 NZDT

Nano Letters

Swinburne University of Technology and Australian National University researchers have discovered that butterfly wings hold the key to concentrating light for quicker and more accurate virus detection Read more about Can butterfly wings help detect COVID-19 faster?

Aussie trial confirms convalescent plasma is 'futile' for critically ill COVID-19 patients

Publicly released: Tue 5 Oct 2021 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

JAMA

A global trial, which included Australian hospitals, has confirmed that blood plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19, so-called convalescent plasma, does not shorten the amount of time Read more about Aussie trial confirms convalescent plasma is 'futile' for critically ill COVID-19 patients