Resources for Journalists

Long COVID is common years after being hospitalised by the virus

Publicly released: Thu 1 Aug 2024 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet Psychiatry

The researchers outline the complexity and variability of symptoms after COVID-19, and say while treatment of the condition has so far mostly involved treating the symptoms, there are various areas Read more about Long COVID is common years after being hospitalised by the virus

Injury dressings in first-aid kits provide a new technique to reveal shark species after bite incidents

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2024 at 1449 AEST, 1649 NZST

Forensic Science International: Genetics

Using the PCR testing method popularised by COVID-19, they showed that a similar approach that uses a medical gauze to collect organic tissue and DNA samples from shark bites works ... They found that Read more about Injury dressings in first-aid kits provide a new technique to reveal shark species after bite incidents

Unlocking the full potential of RNA

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2024 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

RNA science was crucial in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, but experts at the ANU-based Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation (SDCRI) say that’s just the start. ... By talking to stakeholders, Read more about Unlocking the full potential of RNA

Strong COVID-19 restrictions likely saved lives in the US

Publicly released: Sat 27 Jul 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Health Forum

Strong COVID-19 restrictions likely saved lives in the US and the death toll could have been higher if more states didn't impose these restrictions, according to US research. ... These findings do not Read more about Strong COVID-19 restrictions likely saved lives in the US

Conflicting health advice drives confusion, but doctors are still the most trusted

Publicly released: Fri 26 Jul 2024 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Medicine

For example, during the Covid-19 crisis, high-profile health experts received death threats while misinformation went viral on social media. ... health agencies,” said Dr Arch Mainous, a professor at Read more about Conflicting health advice drives confusion, but doctors are still the most trusted

Seven steps to achieving the right to clean indoor air post-pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 26 Jul 2024 at 0500 AEST, 0700 NZST

Science

of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences said the rapid global spread of Covid-19 had soon made it clear the world was unprepared to respond appropriately. ... Ventilation and indoor airborne infection Read more about Seven steps to achieving the right to clean indoor air post-pandemic

Wearing a mask could reduce your risk of coughs, sneezes, and more

Publicly released: Thu 25 Jul 2024 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

They were also encouraged to take a covid-19 test when they felt unwell, but the number of participants taking a test was low. ... 2% in favour of the face mask intervention. However, no statistically Read more about Wearing a mask could reduce your risk of coughs, sneezes, and more

Rates of chronic fatigue syndrome are similar after COVID-19 and after other infections

Publicly released: Thu 25 Jul 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

research. The study, which surveyed around 4000 people in the US who had a COVID-19 test, found that those who tested positive for COVID-19 had about the same rate ... However, the authors point out that Read more about Rates of chronic fatigue syndrome are similar after COVID-19 and after other infections

PTSD was higher among doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Thu 25 Jul 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Doctors were more likely to experience PTSD during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to international researchers who looked at data on the prevalence of PTSD before the pandemic, as well as Read more about PTSD was higher among doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Reforms needed to help GPs open books

Publicly released: Fri 19 Jul 2024 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journals

They found a few main reasons: not enough doctors and nurses, not enough money to cover the costs, staff having too much work, problems because of COVID-19 and worries about ... much as those in hospitals, Read more about Reforms needed to help GPs open books

Getting COVID-19 or a vaccination in early pregnancy won't increase the risk of birth defects

Publicly released: Thu 18 Jul 2024 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

While COVID-19 during pregnancy comes with a list of health risks, neither infection with the virus nor vaccination against it in early pregnancy impacts the risk of birth defects, according Read more about Getting COVID-19 or a vaccination in early pregnancy won't increase the risk of birth defects

The risk of long COVID decreased during the pandemic

Publicly released: Thu 18 Jul 2024 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

The study, which tracked almost half a million people infected with COVID-19 in the US, found that rates of long COVID decreased as the dominant virus strains changed from the ... The research found there Read more about The risk of long COVID decreased during the pandemic

COVID-19 may accelerate the development of type 1 diabetes in kids

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA

type 1 diabetes, so the accelerated progression only happened in kids with COVID-19. ... About The Study: Follow-up of youth with pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetes demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic Read more about COVID-19 may accelerate the development of type 1 diabetes in kids

Kids born during COVID-19 lockdowns had lower rates of wheezing

Publicly released: Wed 10 Jul 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Kids born during COVID-19 lockdown had a 44% lower risk of wheezing and used less respiratory medicines than those born before the pandemic, according to an Italian study. ... The respiratory syncytial Read more about Kids born during COVID-19 lockdowns had lower rates of wheezing

EXPERT REACTION: NZ academic harassed during the pandemic wins in court

Publicly released: Tue 9 Jul 2024 at 1145 AEST, 1345 NZST

contractual obligations to protect Associate Professor Wiles’s health and safety in the wake of harassment she experienced for speaking publicly about the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Both the University of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: NZ academic harassed during the pandemic wins in court

Humpbacks happier during pandemic pause

Publicly released: Fri 5 Jul 2024 at 1300 AEST, 1500 NZST

Marine Environmental Research

University of Queensland-led research has found migrating humpback whales off Australia’s east coast became less stressed over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. ... health. ” The researchers Read more about Humpbacks happier during pandemic pause

Children in areas with high COVID-19 vaccine coverage reported fewer asthma symptoms during the pandemic

Publicly released: Thu 4 Jul 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The team looked at data on parent-reported asthma symptoms, COVID-19 death rates and COVID-19 vaccination coverage for people aged five and over in different US states. ... COVID-19 vaccination yields Read more about Children in areas with high COVID-19 vaccine coverage reported fewer asthma symptoms during the pandemic

Kids may be more resistant to COVID-19 because of all the other viruses they're exposed to

Publicly released: Wed 3 Jul 2024 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

Journal of Experimental Medicine

Children may be less likely to experience the worst effects of COVID-19 because they are developing immunity from all the other viruses they're exposed to, according to international researchers. Read more about Kids may be more resistant to COVID-19 because of all the other viruses they're exposed to

Destroying cancer-causing RNA could lead to bespoke treatments

Publicly released: Tue 2 Jul 2024 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology

They initially engineered a version of Cas13b to silence the COVID-19 virus just after the beginning of the pandemic. ... RNA is enjoying a renaissance in both biology and medicine due to the efficacy of Read more about Destroying cancer-causing RNA could lead to bespoke treatments

Australia's health report 2024: Australians’ health faring well despite ongoing challenges

Publicly released: Tue 2 Jul 2024 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

COVID-19 and the health system During the pandemic, some health services were suspended, access restricted or changed, while health service workers faced additional burdens. ... 7 per 1,000 population in Read more about Australia's health report 2024: Australians’ health faring well despite ongoing challenges