Resources for Journalists

Ongoing decline in childhood immunisation rates sparks concerns

Publicly released: Mon 28 Oct 2024 at 0700 AEDT, 0900 NZDT

The recent decreases come after eight years of generally increasing coverage prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. ... 0% for Indigenous children). Mixed results for adolescents and adultsModest Read more about Ongoing decline in childhood immunisation rates sparks concerns

Urgent and equitable action needed to prevent mpox becoming the next pandemic emergency

Publicly released: Mon 21 Oct 2024 at 1723 AEDT, 1923 NZDT

PLOS Global Public Health

As the mpox outbreak continues to ravage Africa, global health leaders and scientists are calling on world leaders to take urgent action to stop the spread of the virus. ... If we have learnt anything Read more about Urgent and equitable action needed to prevent mpox becoming the next pandemic emergency

The next pandemic is inevitable. Will NZ be ready?

Publicly released: Fri 18 Oct 2024 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

A recent update to New Zealand's pandemic response plan is a start, but much more work is required, say David Murdoch and Ashley Bloomfield, key figures in Aotearoa's ... In an NZMJ editorial, they write Read more about The next pandemic is inevitable. Will NZ be ready?

Children's brain development appears normal for those whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy

Publicly released: Thu 17 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Comparing children born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy with those who didn't, the researchers say there was no clear difference in neurodevelopmental screening scores. ... About The Study: Read more about Children's brain development appears normal for those whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy

Children are developing diabetes at a higher rate after COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 15 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Children and teenagers are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in the months after COVID-19, according to international researchers. ... About The Study: In this retrospective cohort study of children Read more about Children are developing diabetes at a higher rate after COVID-19

Latest report card on Aussie handwashing – blokes still need to do better!

Publicly released: Mon 14 Oct 2024 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

1 billion. ‘This year’s Omnipoll consumer research also found that 19% of Australians say they don’t always wash their hands after going to the toilet (up from 17% last ... There was a slight Read more about Latest report card on Aussie handwashing – blokes still need to do better!

Our wellbeing in adulthood could be shaped by our friendships as teens

Publicly released: Fri 11 Oct 2024 at 1500 AEDT, 1700 NZDT

Frontiers in Developmental Psychology

Because friends may come and go, friendships are a context in which teens must develop skills to maintain and grow the friendship or risk its loss. ... the Covid-19 pandemic, which could significantly Read more about Our wellbeing in adulthood could be shaped by our friendships as teens

Rates of infectious eye disease in Indigenous Aussie kids continue to fall

Publicly released: Fri 11 Oct 2024 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

Median waiting times for cataract surgery among First Nations patients were 141 days in 2016–17 patients before peaking in 2021–22 at 181 days, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. ... This release Read more about Rates of infectious eye disease in Indigenous Aussie kids continue to fall

Help shape the future of bone marrow transplants

Publicly released: Tue 8 Oct 2024 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

The survey will be available throughout Australia, New Zealand, the UK and The Netherlands. ... Doctors initially thought Raya’s symptoms were stress-related and brought on by the COVID-19 lockdowns, Read more about Help shape the future of bone marrow transplants

Aussies above 50 are living longer, while younger people are suffering

Publicly released: Mon 7 Oct 2024 at 2000 AEDT, 2200 NZDT

International Journal of Epidemiology

Stagnating life expectancy trends were reported in some high-income countries before the COVID-19 pandemic, but according to the researchers, there’s been a lack of comparative studies that provide Read more about Aussies above 50 are living longer, while younger people are suffering

How a community-led approach helped Queensland's remote Indigenous communities through COVID-19 outbreaks

Publicly released: Tue 1 Oct 2024 at 1120 AEST, 1420 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Many remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Queensland were able to manage COVID-19 outbreaks with low death and serious illness rates, according to Australian Read more about How a community-led approach helped Queensland's remote Indigenous communities through COVID-19 outbreaks

AI promises to ramp up PCR tests for faster DNA forensics and disease diagnostics

Publicly released: Tue 1 Oct 2024 at 0900 AEST, 1200 NZDT

Genes

org/10. 3390/genes15091196and Developing a Machine Learning ‘Smart’ Polymerase Chain Reaction Thermocycler Part 2: Putting the Theoretical Framework into Practice (2024) by C McDonald, D Taylor, Read more about AI promises to ramp up PCR tests for faster DNA forensics and disease diagnostics

Travellers’ phones a biosecurity weak link

Publicly released: Mon 30 Sep 2024 at 1445 AEST, 1745 NZDT

Infection, Disease & Health

Globally there were almost 5 million deaths associated with bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019 and the UN expects this to rise to 10 million deaths in 2050. ... Dr Tajouri has previously produced Read more about Travellers’ phones a biosecurity weak link

Increased unexpected infant deaths during COVID-19 pandemic may indicate links to other infections

Publicly released: Fri 27 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

An increase in sudden deaths of infants without a clear cause during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US may have been linked to resurgences of infections after lockdowns were lifted. ... The study authors Read more about Increased unexpected infant deaths during COVID-19 pandemic may indicate links to other infections

COVID-19 is developing resistance to antivirals, but resistant strains remain rare

Publicly released: Thu 26 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

US scientists say COVID-19 is developing resistance to the antiviral drugs nirmatrelvir and remdesivir, particularly in immunosuppressed people, but resistant strains of the virus remain rare and Read more about COVID-19 is developing resistance to antivirals, but resistant strains remain rare

Shortsightedness in children and teens has tripled since the 1990s

Publicly released: Wed 25 Sep 2024 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

British Journal of Ophthalmology

30% in 2011-19, and 36% in 2020-23, equivalent to around 1 in every 3 children and teens. ... The COVID-19 pandemic may have had a role in the sharp increase after 2020, suggest the researchers. Read more about Shortsightedness in children and teens has tripled since the 1990s

Australia spends about $140 per person on public health measures, but it's hard to know exactly what they are

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1540 AEST, 1740 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

The researchers say public health initiatives are an important part of the health budget, and the Australian Centre for Disease Control set to be established soon could play a role in ... After a clear Read more about Australia spends about $140 per person on public health measures, but it's hard to know exactly what they are

New research points to COVID-19's animal origins

Publicly released: Fri 20 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Cell

New research into the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has added to the growing evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic was sparked by the introduction of infected animals into ... A new international Read more about New research points to COVID-19's animal origins

High temperatures and air pollution driving increase in strokes

Publicly released: Thu 19 Sep 2024 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet Neurology

3 million (up by 44%), making the condition the third leading cause of death worldwide (after ischaemic heart disease and COVID-19). ... 5 million years in 2021, making stroke the fourth leading cause of Read more about High temperatures and air pollution driving increase in strokes

EXPERT REACTION: Young children have a different immune response to COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 19 Sep 2024 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Science Translational Medicine

An in-depth study of adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection concludes that children under 5 years old have a different response compared with older children and adults. ... The findings make it Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Young children have a different immune response to COVID-19