Resources for Journalists

Antibody testing suggests some ‘probable’ NZ Covid cases weren’t infected

Publicly released: Fri 21 May 2021 at 1141 AEST, 1341 NZST

Pathology

New antibody testing reveals the early 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 in Southland was largely confined to people who had already tested positive, and higher-risk travellers or close contacts of Read more about Antibody testing suggests some ‘probable’ NZ Covid cases weren’t infected

Community-minded areas more likely to see high mask usage

Publicly released: Fri 21 May 2021 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

PNAS

Community minded people and regions have been more likely to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a US and Chinese study. ... likely than those in individualistic cultures to wear masks Read more about Community-minded areas more likely to see high mask usage

Outbreaks of bird flu in 46 countries

Publicly released: Fri 21 May 2021 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Science

Emerging H5N8 Avian Influenza Viruses Are a Serious Public Health Concern The emergence and global spread of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus (AIV), a pathogen that has caused Read more about Outbreaks of bird flu in 46 countries

Covid jab may be too hard to get for a large group of New Zealanders

Publicly released: Fri 21 May 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

areas. Key Points· The equitable delivery of COVID-19 vaccines is key to an elimination strategy. ... We mapped the distribution of priority populations, who are at the highest risk of infection and COVID Read more about Covid jab may be too hard to get for a large group of New Zealanders

New Zealand’s bowel cancer screening is inequitable, say researchers

Publicly released: Fri 21 May 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

In a Viewpoint, researchers reviewed the epidemiology of bowel cancer, and concluded that more cancers are being missed at present, as the current cut-off fails to account for Māori being Read more about New Zealand’s bowel cancer screening is inequitable, say researchers

NDIS barriers for young-onset dementia

Publicly released: Thu 20 May 2021 at 1300 AEST, 1500 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

Flinders University and UNSW Sydney researchers evaluated 151 Australians living with YOD and their care partners who recently entered the disability system. ... Research examining the impacts of COVID-19 Read more about NDIS barriers for young-onset dementia

Parrot poachers striking while the market's hot

Publicly released: Thu 20 May 2021 at 0930 AEST, 1130 NZST

Biological Conservation

from animals to humans - like COVID and avian flu. ... The researchers found some key reasons parrots were at risk of being poached - with a bird's attractiveness and the ability to sell it on legal Read more about Parrot poachers striking while the market's hot

Long-term health woes more likely to hit Covid survivors

Publicly released: Thu 20 May 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

British Medical Journal

One in seven adults with Covid-19 went on to develop another health condition several months after catching the virus, finds a study of more than 266,000 adults. ... The researchers point out that this Read more about Long-term health woes more likely to hit Covid survivors

New Zealand had fewer deaths in 2020 than expected

Publicly released: Thu 20 May 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

British Medical Journal

For example, in both the US and the UK, estimated excess deaths were more than 30% higher than the number of reported covid-19 deaths. ... There is an urgent need to measure this excess morbidity, support Read more about New Zealand had fewer deaths in 2020 than expected

‘Supercharged’ cells help scientists analyse SARS-CoV-2 variants faster

Publicly released: Thu 20 May 2021 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

The scientists have now shared microscopic footage of the process – in their incredible video, you can see the healthy supercharged cells being taken over by the SARS-CoV-2 virus over ... The SARS-COV-2 Read more about ‘Supercharged’ cells help scientists analyse SARS-CoV-2 variants faster

Vaccine hesitancy higher among those who get their news from social media

Publicly released: Wed 19 May 2021 at 1700 AEST, 1900 NZST

PLOS One

Researchers looked at the media habits and opinions on the COVID-19 vaccine of 2,650 US residents. ... The group selected was more impacted by COVID-19 than the population average. Read more about Vaccine hesitancy higher among those who get their news from social media

What lockdown can teach us about the needs of high schoolers

Publicly released: Wed 19 May 2021 at 1630 AEST, 1830 NZST

PLOS One

adolescents who received unplanned distance education due to the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing one’s own competence was linked to positive emotion, self-motivation to learn, and pro-learning Read more about What lockdown can teach us about the needs of high schoolers

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a 'perfect storm' for family violence

Publicly released: Wed 19 May 2021 at 1401 AEST, 1601 NZST

International Journal of Mental Health Nursing

The rare circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic have allowed family violence to fester, according to Australian experts. ... Emergency and disaster situations such as we are seeing with the COVID-19 Read more about The COVID-19 pandemic has been a 'perfect storm' for family violence

Homeschooling with limited English

Publicly released: Tue 18 May 2021 at 1206 AEST, 1406 NZST

Intersections: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific

While most parents in New Zealand scrambled to homeschool their children during the Covid-19 lockdowns, a study of the experience of Indonesian migrant mothers reveals that those ... While most parents in Read more about Homeschooling with limited English

BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Getting your head around mRNA vaccines

Publicly released: Tue 18 May 2021 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

ONLINE BRIEFING: 12:15pm AEST Wed 19 May 2021 - Australia now has two mRNA vaccines lined up to be part of our COVID vaccine rollout, the Moderna and Pfizer jabs, but ... make these vaccines, and if so Read more about BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Getting your head around mRNA vaccines

Call for Australia to set ‘zero pollution’ goal

Publicly released: Tue 18 May 2021 at 0730 AEST, 0930 NZST

Environment International

It is unleashing a pandemic of new diseases and existing conditions that far exceeds Covid-19 in terms of the death and disability caused. ... We appeal to the governments and businesses of Australia to Read more about Call for Australia to set ‘zero pollution’ goal

Scientists find new way of predicting COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

Publicly released: Mon 17 May 2021 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Nature Medicine

SYDNEY, Monday 17th May 2021) The early immune response in a person who has been vaccinated for COVID-19 can predict the level of protection they will have to the virus ... The researchers analysed data Read more about Scientists find new way of predicting COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

Direct-acting antiviral to treat COVID-19 developed in QLD

Publicly released: Mon 17 May 2021 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

Molecular Therapy

CoV-1) as well as SARS-CoV-2 and any new variants that may arise in the future because it targets ultra-conserved regions in the virus’ genome. ... The results suggest that siRNA-nanoparticle Read more about Direct-acting antiviral to treat COVID-19 developed in QLD

Is the future of COVID-19 ventilation through your bum?

Publicly released: Sat 15 May 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Med

With support from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the researchers plan to expand their preclinical studies and pursue Read more about Is the future of COVID-19 ventilation through your bum?

Aussies report getting out more, but our willingness to get a COVID-19 jab is down - global survey

Publicly released: Fri 14 May 2021 at 1513 AEST, 1713 NZST

Australians also reported the highest level of confidence in the ability of the healthcare system to respond to a Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. ... The survey has also been tracking people’s views Read more about Aussies report getting out more, but our willingness to get a COVID-19 jab is down - global survey