Resources for Journalists

EXPERT Q&A: COVID-19 Delta variant is more infectious, but is it more lethal?

Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

There is a lot of confusion circulating online and in the media about the mortality rate of the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and how effective vaccines are ... An issue causing confusion is that Read more about EXPERT Q&A: COVID-19 Delta variant is more infectious, but is it more lethal?

Two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are far more effective than one against Delta variant

Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

A single dose of both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are less effective against the Delta strain than the Alpha variant that previously dominated UK infections, according to international Read more about Two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are far more effective than one against Delta variant

How masks stopped Melbourne’s second wave, and their effectiveness in preventing community transmission of COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

AN EXPRESSION OF CONCERN HAS BEEN RAISED ABOUT THIS PAPERThe mandating of masks during Melbourne’s COVID-19 second wave in July 2020 was the single-most important control measure and ... Importantly Read more about How masks stopped Melbourne’s second wave, and their effectiveness in preventing community transmission of COVID-19

Warning on rising cybercrime during the pandemic

Publicly released: Wed 21 Jul 2021 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

Australian Institute of Criminology Statistical Bulletin 34

A pre-COVID-19 snapshot of the cost of 'pure cybercrime' in 2019 has found an approximate total economic hit of $3. ... Levi M & Smith R 2021. Fraud and its relationship to pandemics and economic crises: Read more about Warning on rising cybercrime during the pandemic

Online lectures could be promoting superficial learning

Publicly released: Wed 21 Jul 2021 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology

Although numerous reports have addressed the challenges for teaching staff and the engagement (or lack thereof) of students, much remains to be understood about the quality of the learning experience Read more about Online lectures could be promoting superficial learning

COVID-19 is invading our dreams

Publicly released: Wed 21 Jul 2021 at 1401 AEST, 1601 NZST

Journal of Sleep Research

The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted our sleep and dreams, according to Italian research which found people had a higher number of awakenings, a harder time falling asleep, higher dream Read more about COVID-19 is invading our dreams

Globally, around 1.5m kids have lost a parent, grandparent or caregiver to COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 21 Jul 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet

2] The researchers say their findings are likely underestimates because figures for a number of countries included in the study were based on COVID-19 mortality only and excess death data ... COVID-19 Read more about Globally, around 1.5m kids have lost a parent, grandparent or caregiver to COVID-19

RMIT experts available for comment on the upcoming Tokyo Olympics

Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

Jasper also works as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry. Associate Professor Con Stavros Topics: Olympics, sport marketing, the return of sport, sport business, COVID-19 and sport  Read more about RMIT experts available for comment on the upcoming Tokyo Olympics

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are more than 95% effective in preventing confirmed infection

Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 1017 AEST, 1217 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers from VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System studied health records from the VA COVID-19 Shared Data Resource who had SARS-CoV-2 ... The Read more about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are more than 95% effective in preventing confirmed infection

Lockdown is hard, but uncontrolled COVID-19 is worse

Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

BMJ Global Health

She said they were trying to determine whether government interventions or the lethality and infectiousness of COVID-19 are to blame for negative health consequences. ... Again, these disruptions have Read more about Lockdown is hard, but uncontrolled COVID-19 is worse

Single case suggests a possible link between Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and facial paralysis

Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

BMJ Case Reports

Experience of one patient strongly suggests link between COVID-19 vaccine and Bell’s palsy  The patient experienced facial palsy after each dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine The case of Read more about Single case suggests a possible link between Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and facial paralysis

High-income countries failing to do their part for kids' mental health

Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

Evidence-Based Mental Health

3%) and depression (1. 3%). “Concerningly, only 44. 2% of children with mental disorders received any services for these conditions,” the authors say. ... They noted, “This is particularly urgent Read more about High-income countries failing to do their part for kids' mental health

Can't social distance? Implement rapid screening, improve ventilation and mask up!

Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Indoor mass-gathering events have been banned since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic because of the high risk for the spread of SARS-CoV-2. ... One woman may have had COVID-19 and attended the event Read more about Can't social distance? Implement rapid screening, improve ventilation and mask up!

Up to three billion people worldwide may be unable to afford a healthy diet due to the pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature Food

Economic, food and health systems have been considerably impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Saskia Osendarp, Lawrence Haddad, Saskia de Pee, and colleagues used modelling tools to project the impact Read more about Up to three billion people worldwide may be unable to afford a healthy diet due to the pandemic

AIHW Briefing: Suicide and self-harm monitoring in Australia

Publicly released: Tue 20 Jul 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

BRIEFING ONLINE: Monday July 19 at 11AM AEST: The AIHW is holding a briefing to release data relating suicide and self harm data in Australia. ... Published data from the suicide registers in New South Read more about AIHW Briefing: Suicide and self-harm monitoring in Australia

Review of Australian COVID-19 research finds lack of collaboration and crucial gaps

Publicly released: Mon 19 Jul 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

MJA

In Australia, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to rapid changes in some processes including fast-tracked funding, ethics approvals, trial registration, and publication,” says lead author Dr Anna Lene Read more about Review of Australian COVID-19 research finds lack of collaboration and crucial gaps

Routine vaccination rates in Victoria unaffected by COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 19 Jul 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

MJA

THE COVID-19 epidemic “did not markedly affect vaccination rates for young children in Victoria, despite the longest and most restrictive response measures in Australia”, according to Australian Read more about Routine vaccination rates in Victoria unaffected by COVID-19

We need to come together on pandemic research

Publicly released: Mon 19 Jul 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

MJA

Nor was there a nationally resourced and coordinated trials infrastructure in existence before the COVID- 19 pandemic. ... Bowen and colleagues concluded that “robust reflection” on what has been Read more about We need to come together on pandemic research

Alcohol remains in top position for Australian drugs of concern

Publicly released: Mon 19 Jul 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

Minimising the harms associated with alcohol, illicit drug and pharmaceutical drug use and the response to these harms requires a multifaceted response with clients often receiving multiple episodes Read more about Alcohol remains in top position for Australian drugs of concern

NZ scientists argue global Covid-19 elimination is achievable

Publicly released: Fri 16 Jul 2021 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

BMJ

As authorities in England abandon most efforts to control Covid-19, New Zealand academics Sir David Skegg and Professor Phillip Hill say it’s critical for counties to see the difference ... between Read more about NZ scientists argue global Covid-19 elimination is achievable