Resources for Journalists

As the Alpha variant took hold in Israel, COVID-19 spread from young kids doubled

Publicly released: Wed 8 Sep 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The authors say the higher levels of spread in kids during December 2020 to February 2021 occurred despite the mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign in adults. ... They say this highlights the importance of Read more about As the Alpha variant took hold in Israel, COVID-19 spread from young kids doubled

Next gen 3D printed catalysts to propel hypersonic flight

Publicly released: Tue 7 Sep 2021 at 2200 AEST, Wed 8 Sep 21 at 0000 NZST

Chemical Communications

Developed by researchers at RMIT University, the highly versatile catalysts are cost-effective to make and simple to scale. ... respiratory viruses like COVID-19. Read more about Next gen 3D printed catalysts to propel hypersonic flight

EXPERT REACTION: Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 7 Sep 2021 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

The use of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 looks set to ramp up in Australia with Health Minister Greg Hunt suggesting rapid home testing kits could be approved “within the ... The supply of home Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19

Modelling NZ's Delta outbreak

Publicly released: Tue 7 Sep 2021 at 1201 AEST, 1401 NZST

On 17 August 2021 a case of COVID-19 was identified in Auckland, ending an extended period with no community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Aotearoa New Zealand. ... This was subsequently confirmed to be Read more about Modelling NZ's Delta outbreak

Delta is 8 times less sensitive to vaccine antibodies than the original Wuhan strain

Publicly released: Tue 7 Sep 2021 at 0931 AEST, 1131 NZST

Nature

First identified in the Indian state of Maharashtra in late 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant has since spread throughout India and to over 90 countries worldwide, rapidly outcompeting ... 1. 1. 7 (Alpha) Read more about Delta is 8 times less sensitive to vaccine antibodies than the original Wuhan strain

Lung function in children, adolescents, and young adults after COVID-19 infection

Publicly released: Tue 7 Sep 2021 at 0801 AEST, 1001 NZST

European Respiratory Society International Congress

2] Dr Mogensen said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about if and how the lung is affected after clearance of the coronavirus infection, especially in young people from the ... Nineteen Read more about Lung function in children, adolescents, and young adults after COVID-19 infection

Covid-19 awareness may reduce demand for wildlife products in Asia

Publicly released: Tue 7 Sep 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature Ecology & Evolution

A survey of 5000 people in East and Southeast Asia found that people with a high self-reported awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic were up to a quarter less likely ... Robin Naidoo and colleagues conducted Read more about Covid-19 awareness may reduce demand for wildlife products in Asia

Over 200 journals put out simultaneous call for climate action

Publicly released: Mon 6 Sep 2021 at 1630 AEST, 1830 NZST

MJA

5°C above the pre-industrial average and the continued loss of biodiversity risk catastrophic harm to health that will be impossible to reverse,” the authors wrote. ... Despite the world’s necessary Read more about Over 200 journals put out simultaneous call for climate action

Jump in the number of Americans willing to get a COVID-19 jab, but hesitancy remains for some

Publicly released: Mon 6 Sep 2021 at 1401 AEST, 1601 NZST

Annals of Medicine

Highlighting vaccines as important for resuming work, school, and social activities is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19 incidence and bringing an end to the pandemic,” she said. Read more about Jump in the number of Americans willing to get a COVID-19 jab, but hesitancy remains for some

Blue-tongue vs red-bellied black: An Australian evolutionary arms race

Publicly released: Mon 6 Sep 2021 at 0905 AEST, 1105 NZST

Toxins

Much like how a COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t mean you don’t get sick at all, it just means you are less likely to die. ” ... You’d think that a goanna would be significantly resistant to the venom of Read more about Blue-tongue vs red-bellied black: An Australian evolutionary arms race

Rate of heart complications low for Aussie COVID-19 patients

Publicly released: Mon 6 Sep 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

The study was undertaken before the emergence of the COVID-19 Delta variant. ... This study was undertaken before the emergence of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Read more about Rate of heart complications low for Aussie COVID-19 patients

Kids need the COVID-19 jab for herd immunity

Publicly released: Mon 6 Sep 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

MJA

James Cook University scientists have developed a new model to track the COVID-19 pandemic – and it’s telling them Australia should now prioritise delivering the Pfizer vaccine to 12-40 Read more about Kids need the COVID-19 jab for herd immunity

COVID mRNA jabs not associated with negative health effects

Publicly released: Sat 4 Sep 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA

The team found mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were safe for the population overall, but an excess risk of heart issues was identified for vaccinated people aged 12 to 39 years. ... Safety Surveillance of Read more about COVID mRNA jabs not associated with negative health effects

9/11: Twenty years on, responders still paying a heavy price

Publicly released: Fri 3 Sep 2021 at 1645 AEST, 1845 NZST

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine

COVID and other emerging threatsResponders’ underlying conditions have also left them uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19, due to illnesses such as cancer and respiratory ailments. ... More than 100 have Read more about 9/11: Twenty years on, responders still paying a heavy price

Why has COVID-19 made a comeback in fully vaccinated healthcare workers?

Publicly released: Fri 3 Sep 2021 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

The end of compulsory mask wearing, combined with the emergence of the delta variant and waning immunity from vaccines over time, may explain the resurgence of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated Read more about Why has COVID-19 made a comeback in fully vaccinated healthcare workers?

OzSAGE releases independent expert advice on opening safely in the COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 3 Sep 2021 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

We may feasibly achieve control of COVID-19 in the same way we have with measles, a more contagious virus. ... Prof Guy Marks“A core lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic has been that it’s impossible to Read more about OzSAGE releases independent expert advice on opening safely in the COVID-19 pandemic

1 in 3 people are less active during lockdown and its aftermath

Publicly released: Fri 3 Sep 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Scientific Reports

More public health efforts may be needed to promote physical activity for the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. ... Feifei Bu and colleagues analysed data on 35,915 adults in Read more about 1 in 3 people are less active during lockdown and its aftermath

Pfizer could be more effective in young people than older people

Publicly released: Fri 3 Sep 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Older recipients of the Pfizer vaccine develop fewer COVID-19 antibodies than young Pfizer recipients and Moderna recipients of all ages, according to international research. ... What The Study Did: Read more about Pfizer could be more effective in young people than older people

BRIEFING: Getting your head around COVID-19 vaccine data

Publicly released: Thu 2 Sep 2021 at 1800 AEST, 2000 NZST

Join some of the world's leading vaccine experts at this briefing from the global Science Media Centres and our partners in the COVID-19 Vaccine Media Hub. ... He leads the Imperial College COVID-19 Read more about BRIEFING: Getting your head around COVID-19 vaccine data

Long COVID ‘brain fog’: Neurocognitive tests to harmonise global methods

Publicly released: Thu 2 Sep 2021 at 1500 AEST, 1700 NZST

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society

Because COVID-19 is a new disease and the research deriving from it is new, we need to develop excellent research methods to address questions, such as: how many people have ... These complications may Read more about Long COVID ‘brain fog’: Neurocognitive tests to harmonise global methods