Resources for Journalists

Anti-coagulant drug could treat COVID-19’s emerging variants

Publicly released: Wed 7 Jul 2021 at 1506 AEST, 1706 NZST

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal

Molecules from the same family as the anti-coagulant drug heparin may interfere with the ability of the COVID-19 virus’s spikes to bind to human cells. ... Most research has focused on understanding how Read more about Anti-coagulant drug could treat COVID-19’s emerging variants

EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 Lambda variant in Australia since April

Publicly released: Wed 7 Jul 2021 at 1047 AEST, 1247 NZST

The COVID-19 Lambda variant has been around in Australia since April after being detected in an overseas traveller who was in hotel quarantine in NSW, according to the national genomics ... Below, Aussie Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 Lambda variant in Australia since April

Could a poo transplant help people recover from COVID-19?

Publicly released: Wed 7 Jul 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

Gut

COVID-19 clears up rapidly after stool transplant to treat bacterial infection Might be worth exploring as treatment option for coronavirus, suggest researchers It might be worth exploring stool Read more about Could a poo transplant help people recover from COVID-19?

How our immune system reacts to COVID-19 variants

Publicly released: Wed 7 Jul 2021 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Medicine

Their job is to shield cells that are usually the target of a pathogen (such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes the COVID-19 disease) from being infected. ... 10 COVID-19 strains and variants of concern/ Read more about How our immune system reacts to COVID-19 variants

Small study suggests mRNA from COVID-19 jabs does not end up in breast milk

Publicly released: Wed 7 Jul 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

US scientists tested breast milk from seven women before and after they'd received mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, and found there was no mRNA from the vaccines present in milk ... Evaluation of Messenger RNA Read more about Small study suggests mRNA from COVID-19 jabs does not end up in breast milk

Dogs vs cats in lockdown

Publicly released: Wed 7 Jul 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

International Journal of Social Psychiatry

The findings also suggest that the increased demand for pets observed by Australian animal shelters prior to the COVID-19 lockdown may offer no additional benefit than going outside for a ... She said the Read more about Dogs vs cats in lockdown

Long COVID symptoms in a third of people with COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 6 Jul 2021 at 1015 AEST, 1215 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Based on these findings and findings from similar studies, the authors suggest that people treated for mild to moderate COVID-19 should be informed about the potential for long-term effects Read more about Long COVID symptoms in a third of people with COVID-19

Delta a new challenge for herd immunity

Publicly released: Mon 5 Jul 2021 at 1540 AEST, 1740 NZST

step plan to transition from suppression of COVID to a strategy of reopening and a return to normal life. ... We show that assuming a reproduction number (the number of people infected by someone carrying Read more about Delta a new challenge for herd immunity

'They just kept on rising': data reveals alarming increase in greenhouse gases

Publicly released: Fri 2 Jul 2021 at 1556 AEST, 1756 NZST

Environmental Research Letters

And while the COVID-19 pandemic may have brought about a temporary reprieve in carbon emission, experts have forecast a return to the previous upward trajectory of greenhouse gas production after Read more about 'They just kept on rising': data reveals alarming increase in greenhouse gases

Is it ethical to offer incentives for getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

Publicly released: Fri 2 Jul 2021 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

JAMA

Using financial or other incentives to entice people to get their COVID-19 vaccine is ethical, according to two international researchers. ... In a perspective piece, the authors discuss the potential Read more about Is it ethical to offer incentives for getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

Don’t worry, the kids are cool if you cash in on their inheritance

Publicly released: Fri 2 Jul 2021 at 0630 AEST, 0830 NZST

Australian Journal of Political Science

There’s nothing more certain than death and taxes. But while people generally assume the combination is notoriously unpopular, our research suggests otherwise,” Dr Coram says. ... The Australian Read more about Don’t worry, the kids are cool if you cash in on their inheritance

If you've had COVID-19, a single mRNA jab may be enough, but we'll all need boosters

Publicly released: Thu 1 Jul 2021 at 1630 AEST, 1830 NZST

ACS Nano

Both mRNA vaccines trigger the immune system to produce antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD), and two doses are necessary to provide immunity in people Read more about If you've had COVID-19, a single mRNA jab may be enough, but we'll all need boosters

RETRACTED: Small study suggests facemasks increase the amount of CO2 children inhale

Publicly released: Thu 1 Jul 2021 at 1300 AEST, 1500 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

THIS PAPER HAS NOW BEEN RETRACTED BY THE JOURNALEuropean scientists tested the amount of CO2 inhaled by 45 healthy children aged between six and 17 with and without facemasks, and say ... This is because Read more about RETRACTED: Small study suggests facemasks increase the amount of CO2 children inhale

Liquid chalk highly effective in killing SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A viruses

Publicly released: Thu 1 Jul 2021 at 1142 AEST, 1342 NZST

mSphere

Melbourne researchers have found that liquid chalk, commonly used in gyms to improve grip, acts as an antiseptic against highly infectious human viruses, completely killing both SARS-CoV-2 (the virus Read more about Liquid chalk highly effective in killing SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A viruses

Forget cash! Credit is key to the survival of busking

Publicly released: Thu 1 Jul 2021 at 0940 AEST, 1140 NZST

Journal of Cultural Economics

Electronic and digital payments are the key for buskers and street performers to survive in a post-COVID world, new RMIT research reveals. ... Artists who joined the platform after the World Health Read more about Forget cash! Credit is key to the survival of busking

Real world data suggests mRNA COVID vaccines are 91% effective

Publicly released: Thu 1 Jul 2021 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

A study of almost 4000 frontline workers has found the mRNA COVID vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna are 91 per cent effective after two doses, they were also found to ... The US study recorded 204 Read more about Real world data suggests mRNA COVID vaccines are 91% effective

Around half of over-80s may require 2 Pfizer jabs for protection from COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 1 Jul 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature

Around half of people aged over 80 require a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to achieve maximum protection from the virus, according to a UK and Mexican ... Age-related immune Read more about Around half of over-80s may require 2 Pfizer jabs for protection from COVID-19

Covid-infected men worse-off than women, regardless of other health problems

Publicly released: Wed 30 Jun 2021 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Communications Medicine

For both men and women with COVID-19, hypoxia (a lack of oxygen in the body) may be associated with an increased likelihood of death. ... The findings are published in the newly-launched Read more about Covid-infected men worse-off than women, regardless of other health problems

EXPERT REACTION: AstraZeneca or Pfizer? Australia's COVID-19 jab confusion

Publicly released: Wed 30 Jun 2021 at 1654 AEST, 1854 NZST

The decision has not been backed by the Australian Medical Association, and in addition, the advice from the independent Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation – that Pfizer is the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: AstraZeneca or Pfizer? Australia's COVID-19 jab confusion

These factors increase the risk of death to COVID-19 for critically ill patients in ICU

Publicly released: Wed 30 Jun 2021 at 1604 AEST, 1804 NZST

Anaesthesia

The association between hypertension and cardiovascular disease and increased mortality may be linked to the risk of cardiac injury associated with the systemic inflammatory response to COVID-19 Read more about These factors increase the risk of death to COVID-19 for critically ill patients in ICU