Resources for Journalists

COVID-19 may have knocked 9 years off average lifespan in parts of the USA

Publicly released: Wed 28 Jul 2021 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

A US scientist has developed a new method for looking at the effects of temporary 'shocks' such as COVID-19 on average lifespan, and says the virus reduced lifespan by almost ... of temporary Read more about COVID-19 may have knocked 9 years off average lifespan in parts of the USA

People with mental illnesses may be more likely to die from COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 28 Jul 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Psychiatry

And the patients with the most severe mental illnesses were the most likely to die after contracting COVID-19, they say. ... The authors suggest patients with mental health disorders should be targeted Read more about People with mental illnesses may be more likely to die from COVID-19

Just isolating our most vulnerable isn't enough to protect them from COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Scientific Reports

COVID-19: Shielding may not be as effective as expectedEfforts to shield those at highest risk from Covid-19 in the West of Scotland between March and the end of July ... 13% confirmed infections) and 84 Read more about Just isolating our most vulnerable isn't enough to protect them from COVID-19

Citizen science project explores search engine secrets

Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 1223 AEST, 1423 NZST

The big question is how such personalisation can influence our decisions on anything from where to holiday to whether we get a COVID-19 vaccine. ... like the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Read more about Citizen science project explores search engine secrets

AstraZeneca / mRNA COVID-19 vaccine combo may be more effective than 2 of the same jab

Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

Nature Medicine

two jabs of AstraZeneca, and an equally strong or stronger immune response than two jabs of an mRNA vaccine. ... Certain immune cell levels (spike-specific CD8 T cells) were also higher with the combo Read more about AstraZeneca / mRNA COVID-19 vaccine combo may be more effective than 2 of the same jab

Russia's Sputnik V vaccine could have reduced effectiveness against some variants

Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

Nature Communications

is effective at neutralising the Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2, but is not as effective against the Beta variant. ... variants. To investigate the effectiveness of the Sputnik V vaccine, Benhur Lee and Read more about Russia's Sputnik V vaccine could have reduced effectiveness against some variants

EXPERT REACTION: Why are fully vaccinated people still catching COVID-19? 

Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 1046 AEST, 1246 NZST

As the Delta variant becomes dominant around the world there are both international and Australian reports of fully vaccinated people still becoming infected with COVID-19. ... Data from some countries Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Why are fully vaccinated people still catching COVID-19? 

Small study suggests signs of 'long COVID' may lie in the eyes

Publicly released: Tue 27 Jul 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

British Journal of Ophthalmology

The researchers say these changes were most noticeable among people with neurological symptoms, such as loss of taste and smell, headache, dizziness, numbness, and neuropathic pain, following Read more about Small study suggests signs of 'long COVID' may lie in the eyes

Can COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility?

Publicly released: Mon 26 Jul 2021 at 0900 AEST, 1100 NZST

that increasingly makes news headlines: new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. ... COVID-19 vaccines work by training the immune system to recognise the spike protein of the Read more about Can COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility?

EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer vaccine provisionally approved for Australian teens

Publicly released: Fri 23 Jul 2021 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia's medical regulator, has provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between 12 and 15. ... Previously, only people aged 16 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer vaccine provisionally approved for Australian teens

Speed or accuracy: What do we need most from a COVID-19 test?

Publicly released: Fri 23 Jul 2021 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Computational Biology

Using computer modelling, Indian researchers ran simulations of COVID-19 spread and found if enough people were tested, using the antigen tests could be just as effective as PCR testing. ... Cherian and Read more about Speed or accuracy: What do we need most from a COVID-19 test?

EXPERT REACTION: Two more deaths linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine

Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 1730 AEST, 1930 NZST

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has been notified of two more fatal cases of the rare blood clotting disorder related to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 jab. ... The 44-year-old man from Tasmania and Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Two more deaths linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine

No progress: physical inactivity remains a global pandemic

Publicly released: Thu 22 Jul 2021 at 1609 AEST, 1809 NZST

The Lancet

The slow progress on inactivity has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns likely associated with overall less physical activity worldwide. ... The Lancet series also features a Read more about No progress: physical inactivity remains a global pandemic

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