Resources for Journalists

Novavax vaccine is 51 per cent effective against South African variant

Publicly released: Thu 6 May 2021 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be 51 per cent effective against the South African variant, according to a South African trial. ... The study of over 2,500 people found that predominantly Read more about Novavax vaccine is 51 per cent effective against South African variant

No masks? Barriers are better than social distancing

Publicly released: Thu 6 May 2021 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS One

The student noted that when the mannequin was ‘wearing’ a facemask, the masks worked very well, but without masks and barriers, social distancing was not very effective. ... He suggests that during Read more about No masks? Barriers are better than social distancing

Different aged kids had different online learning needs during COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 5 May 2021 at 1401 AEST, 1601 NZST

British Journal of Educational Technology

The Online Learning Needs of Students Across Different Grades During the COVID-19 PandemicA new study published in the British Journal of Educational Technology has identified the different needs of Read more about Different aged kids had different online learning needs during COVID-19

How do we best use COVID-19 vaccines if supply is limited?

Publicly released: Wed 5 May 2021 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Vaccine

Researchers in NSW are starting to look at vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis for SARS-CoV-2, and are hopeful that it will work, as this strategy tends to be successful ... The study provides a Read more about How do we best use COVID-19 vaccines if supply is limited?

Revealed: the fungus attacking native plants both sides of the Tasman

Publicly released: Tue 4 May 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

The genome project was initiated by Professor Robert Park led by Dr Peri Tobias from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Sydney Institute of Agriculture at the University Read more about Revealed: the fungus attacking native plants both sides of the Tasman

If you get infected with COVID-19 you could spread it to your pets

Publicly released: Mon 3 May 2021 at 1530 AEST, 1730 NZST

PLOS ONE

If you get infected with COVID-19 it may be possible to spread it to your pets, according to a small study from Brazil, which tested the cats and dogs of ... The researchers suggest that people with Read more about If you get infected with COVID-19 you could spread it to your pets

Dispensing limits safeguarded medication supply from pandemic panic buying in 2020

Publicly released: Mon 3 May 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

The Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)

The team analysed the number of prescriptions dispensed between 2016 and 2019 to establish dispensing trends and compared this data to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. ... 5%). ”Mian and colleagues wrote Read more about Dispensing limits safeguarded medication supply from pandemic panic buying in 2020

Australia's once-in-a-lifetime chance to build a better future

Publicly released: Mon 3 May 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

MJA

flexible and remote working arrangements, and the rollout of telehealth – some of which were long debated before COVID-19 hit. ... to build back better, fairer and greener after the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about Australia's once-in-a-lifetime chance to build a better future

Being overweight or underweight could increase your risk of severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 30 Apr 2021 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology

2] Previous studies have reported that obesity is associated with more severe outcomes after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but this is the first to examine the consequences of ... The researchers Read more about Being overweight or underweight could increase your risk of severe COVID-19

Text-based 'nudges' might improve vaccination rates

Publicly released: Fri 30 Apr 2021 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

PNAS

Researchers studied 19 different kinds of text “nudges” sent to a group of more than 47,000 Americans. ... The researchers say this script could be used as a template for other vaccination campaigns, Read more about Text-based 'nudges' might improve vaccination rates

How often does a COVID-19 swab test go wrong?

Publicly released: Fri 30 Apr 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

The risk of a nasal and throat swab COVID-19 test going wrong is extremely low but complications can be severe, according to Finnish research. ... What The Study Did: This case series investigates the Read more about How often does a COVID-19 swab test go wrong?

Severe diabetes may increase the risk of death from COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 29 Apr 2021 at 0801 AEST, 1001 NZST

Diabetologia

COVID-19: large meta-analysis shows people with more advanced diabetes have higher risk of death from SARS-CoV-2A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in Diabetologia (the journal Read more about Severe diabetes may increase the risk of death from COVID-19

Office space: Desk location at work may affect sense of focus

Publicly released: Thu 29 Apr 2021 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Plos One

The authors suggest designing smaller and more intimate areas within a large open-plan office. ... With an end to the COVID-19 pandemic in sight, the world has begun to reopen, including offices. Read more about Office space: Desk location at work may affect sense of focus

When it comes to informed consent for vaccine trials, do you understand?

Publicly released: Thu 29 Apr 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The team systematically evaluated the informed consent documents provided for AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer COVID-19 phase III vaccine trials based on length, language complexity Read more about When it comes to informed consent for vaccine trials, do you understand?

Parenting during COVID-19: Triple P as effective online as in-person

Publicly released: Thu 29 Apr 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Psychology, Professor Matt Sanders, said that these findings came at a time when mental health issues are exacerbated by COVID-19. ... Families were recruited for the study in South Carolina and Oregon, Read more about Parenting during COVID-19: Triple P as effective online as in-person

Seaweed quadruples fish immunity

Publicly released: Wed 28 Apr 2021 at 2130 AEST, 2330 NZST

Fish and Shellfish Immunology

and contribute to the country’s post-COVID economic recovery. ... YouTube video of the research here. Raw footage and interviews here. Photos here. Further information on the Asparagopsis genetics Read more about Seaweed quadruples fish immunity

Back-to-front airplane boarding may increase Covid-19 exposure risk

Publicly released: Wed 28 Apr 2021 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Science

Airlines have introduced a back-to-front boarding process in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Our results suggest that the new boarding procedures increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19 compared Read more about Back-to-front airplane boarding may increase Covid-19 exposure risk

Māori researchers call for a Tiriti-led science-policy approach

Publicly released: Wed 28 Apr 2021 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

A new report by leading Māori researchers seeks major changes to the way in which knowledge and evidence is used in policy and decision-making in post-COVID Aotearoa. ... including from Ngā Pae o te Read more about Māori researchers call for a Tiriti-led science-policy approach

Facial paralysis risk after mRNA vaccines no greater than other vaccines

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

JAMA Internal Medicine

What The Study Did: This analysis uses the World Health Organization pharmacovigilance database to explore the potential safety signal of facial paralysis after COVID-19 vaccination. ... When compared Read more about Facial paralysis risk after mRNA vaccines no greater than other vaccines

Handwashing not hand sanitiser best way to stop gastro-causing norovirus

Publicly released: Tue 27 Apr 2021 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

Cathy Moir, Council Chair, said not all viruses are the same and although hand sanitisers are very effective against reducing the spread of COVID-19, they have little effect on the ... Norovirus causes Read more about Handwashing not hand sanitiser best way to stop gastro-causing norovirus