Resources for Journalists

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

Future drones likely to resemble 300-million-year-old flying machine

Publicly released: Tue 27 Apr 2021 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

Drones

Much of the work was done during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, giving a glimpse into how research can be undertaken remotely. ... A team of PhD students led by UniSA Professor of Sensor Systems, Javaan Chahl Read more about Future drones likely to resemble 300-million-year-old flying machine

Early changes in the COVID-19 virus help explain why death rates dropped as the pandemic progressed

Publicly released: Tue 27 Apr 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Early changes to the COVID-19 virus were associated with increased survival once a patient was hospitalised, according to a US study. ... The association of identified SARS-CoV-2 variants and virus Read more about Early changes in the COVID-19 virus help explain why death rates dropped as the pandemic progressed

Nanobodies inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection

Publicly released: Mon 26 Apr 2021 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

PNAS

Australian researchers have identified neutralising nanobodies that block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells in preclinical models. ... At a glanceResearchers have identified nanobodies that Read more about Nanobodies inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection

Vaccination of adults unlikely to stop COVID-19 if silent infection in kids goes undetected

Publicly released: Sat 24 Apr 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

In the absence of a COVID-19 vaccine for children, US researchers say identifying presymptomatic and asymptomatic infection in kids is crucial to stopping COVID-19. ... Using a simulation of COVID-19 Read more about Vaccination of adults unlikely to stop COVID-19 if silent infection in kids goes undetected

Regular Covid tests linked to healthcare workers feeling less burnt out

Publicly released: Fri 23 Apr 2021 at 0946 AEST, 1146 NZST

PLOS One

Two-thirds of healthcare workers surveyed during the rise of the COVID-19 are at high risk of burnout, but staff that got regularly tested for the virus seemed to show ... Researchers looked at more than 3 Read more about Regular Covid tests linked to healthcare workers feeling less burnt out

Mapping the long-term effects after a COVID-19 infection

Publicly released: Fri 23 Apr 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature

The acute symptoms of COVID-19 are well-characterized, but less is known about the long-term complications of infection with SARS-CoV-2. ... medical assistance for additional problems than nearly 5 Read more about Mapping the long-term effects after a COVID-19 infection

Stroke risk more than doubles in men after asymptomatic COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 23 Apr 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The researchers used hospital data to identify men under 50 who were treated for ischemic stroke after asymptomatic COVID-19. ... They calculated the instance of ischemic stroke among similar men after Read more about Stroke risk more than doubles in men after asymptomatic COVID-19

NBA players who tested positive after COVID-19 recovery did not spread the virus

Publicly released: Fri 23 Apr 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

Those who continue to test positive for COVID-19 after recovering from the virus do not continue to spread it, according to a study of US basketball players and staff during ... Researchers monitored Read more about NBA players who tested positive after COVID-19 recovery did not spread the virus

Guilt and social pressure means some of us aren't fessing up to breaking COVID-19 protocols

Publicly released: Thu 22 Apr 2021 at 1445 AEST, 1645 NZST

PLOS ONE

It seems guilt and social pressure stop people from admitting they are breaking COVID-19 protocols, but “face-saving” strategies give a clearer picture of how many of us are breaking ... The study Read more about Guilt and social pressure means some of us aren't fessing up to breaking COVID-19 protocols

Johnson&Johnson COVID-19 vaccine trial data shows it is effective after a single dose

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

New England Journal of Medicine

Data from the phase 3 trial of the Johnson&Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has revealed a single dose of the vaccine has a 66 per cent efficacy against moderate to severe ... The efficacy of the vaccine was Read more about Johnson&Johnson COVID-19 vaccine trial data shows it is effective after a single dose