Resources for Journalists

What might the pandemic look like five years from now?

Publicly released: Thu 18 Feb 2021 at 1356 AEDT, 1556 NZDT

The Lancet

The panel was announced today in the world-leading medical journal The Lancet in a commentary Future scenarios for the Covid-19 pandemic co-authored by Sir David and Sir Peter ... With such uncertainties, Read more about What might the pandemic look like five years from now?

EXPERT REACTION: Facebook's news site ban

Publicly released: Thu 18 Feb 2021 at 1311 AEDT, 1511 NZDT

It has been reported today that Australians are being blocked from accessing news in their Facebook feeds after an escalation of the proposed media bargaining code by the federal government. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Facebook's news site ban

More than half of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 have damaged hearts

Publicly released: Thu 18 Feb 2021 at 1105 AEDT, 1305 NZDT

European Heart Journal

Damage to the heart found in more than half of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital Around 50% of patients who have been hospitalised with severe COVID-19 and who show ... 6%). Twelve patients (8%) Read more about More than half of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 have damaged hearts

'Torpedo' device targets SARS-CoV-2 hotspots in wastewater

Publicly released: Thu 18 Feb 2021 at 1026 AEDT, 1226 NZDT

During this time, the materials inside the ‘torpedo’ absorb traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as it passes – almost like a fishing net. ... People infected with COVID-19 will generally shed or excrete Read more about 'Torpedo' device targets SARS-CoV-2 hotspots in wastewater

Immune system protects children from severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 18 Feb 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Nature Communications

Children are protected from severe COVID-19 because their innate immune system is quick to attack the virus, a new study has found. ... in a child’s immune system rapidly target the new coronavirus (SARS Read more about Immune system protects children from severe COVID-19

Risk of another coronavirus emerging may be much greater than we thought

Publicly released: Wed 17 Feb 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

risk of another, completely new outbreak, and the chances of new strains of SARS -CoV-2 evolving in animals. ... Notable new predicted hosts in which SARS-CoV-2 might potentially recombine with other Read more about Risk of another coronavirus emerging may be much greater than we thought

Asthma may heighten flu risk and cause dangerous mutations

Publicly released: Tue 16 Feb 2021 at 1900 AEDT, 2100 NZDT

eLife

Our study produced clear findings that fit well with what we know about a suppressed immune response and the emergence of influenza virus variants,” Dr Short said. ... Which is particularly relevant in Read more about Asthma may heighten flu risk and cause dangerous mutations

EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for Australia

Publicly released: Tue 16 Feb 2021 at 1336 AEDT, 1536 NZDT

Australia's medical regulator, the TGA, has approved the Oxford University-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for use in Australia. ... Below, Aussie experts respond to the announcement. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for Australia

People with asthma can breathe easier when it comes to COVID risk

Publicly released: Tue 16 Feb 2021 at 0830 AEDT, 1030 NZDT

Journal of Asthma

A new study looking at how COVID-19 affects people with asthma provides reassurance that having the condition doesn’t increase the risk of severe illness or death from the virus. ... They also showed Read more about People with asthma can breathe easier when it comes to COVID risk

Lessons from the flu season

Publicly released: Tue 16 Feb 2021 at 0830 AEDT, 1030 NZDT

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

While the world focuses on the rising COVID-19 death toll, seasonal influenza continues to cause significant mortality and poses a significant economic burden every year. ... However, social distancing Read more about Lessons from the flu season

COVID, cameras and AI: the story of a pandemic drone

Publicly released: Mon 15 Feb 2021 at 1700 AEDT, 1900 NZDT

As the COVID-19 death toll mounts and the world hangs its hopes on effective vaccines, what else can we do to save lives in this pandemic?In UniSA’s case, ... In this short documentary, Professor Javaan Read more about COVID, cameras and AI: the story of a pandemic drone

Zinc and vitamin C supplements don't help COVID-19 patients recover quicker

Publicly released: Sat 13 Feb 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

High doses of zinc and/or vitamin C do not help COVID-19 patients recover more quickly than standard care, according to international researchers. ... There was no difference in the time taken for any of Read more about Zinc and vitamin C supplements don't help COVID-19 patients recover quicker

BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Made in Australia - COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing explained

Publicly released: Fri 12 Feb 2021 at 1112 AEDT, 1312 NZDT

As the Australian Government prepares to roll out the COVID-19 vaccination program, CSL has been busily manufacturing the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (recombinant adenovirus vaccine). ... of the product Read more about BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Made in Australia - COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing explained

Most people are naturally armed against severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 12 Feb 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Pathogens

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a profound impact on global public health. ... Bioinformatics analysis suggests that most people would be capable of readily producing neutralizing Read more about Most people are naturally armed against severe COVID-19

Computer simulations suggest kids are around half as likely as adults to catch COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 12 Feb 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Computational Biology

Earlier studies have found differences in symptoms and the clinical course of COVID-19 in children compared to adults. ... Some individuals also received serology testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. By Read more about Computer simulations suggest kids are around half as likely as adults to catch COVID-19

Trump's health policies may have killed more than a million Americans

Publicly released: Thu 11 Feb 2021 at 1601 AEDT, 1801 NZDT

The Lancet

Trump may be out, but his health policies remain, and US researchers suggest they may have caused nearly a million unnecessary deaths pre-COVID-19, and tens of thousands after the ... The COVID-19 Read more about Trump's health policies may have killed more than a million Americans

Blood biomarker detects COVID-19 severity – enables early triage

Publicly released: Thu 11 Feb 2021 at 1500 AEDT, 1700 NZDT

American Association of Cancer Research Virtual Meeting 'COVID-19 and Cancer'

Pro-inflammatory genes indicate the body’s response to coronavirus (SARS CoV-2) Latest spatial biology research technique used to gain insights into COVID-19 in the lungs Dr Kulasinghe, from Read more about Blood biomarker detects COVID-19 severity – enables early triage

EXPERT REACTION: WHO Interim report recommends AstraZeneca vaccine

Publicly released: Thu 11 Feb 2021 at 1201 AEDT, 1401 NZDT

World Health Organisation (WHO)

The WHO has released interim recommendations for the use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, recommending its use for healthcare workers and elderly people as a priority to reduce COVID deaths and Read more about EXPERT REACTION: WHO Interim report recommends AstraZeneca vaccine

Around half of Aussie parents won't talk to their kids about COVID-19 deaths

Publicly released: Thu 11 Feb 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Just over half of the Aussie parents and caregivers said they don't talk to their kids about deaths from COVID-19. ... Just under half of the Aussie kids said they knew 'quite a bit' about COVID-19, and Read more about Around half of Aussie parents won't talk to their kids about COVID-19 deaths

Australian researchers lead Oxford COVID-19 asthma drug trial

Publicly released: Wed 10 Feb 2021 at 1330 AEDT, 1530 NZDT

MedRxiv

said. “Treating COVID-19 early on and avoiding hospitalisation will be particularly important for the billions of people across the world with limited access to hospitals. ... Professor Nicolau said the Read more about Australian researchers lead Oxford COVID-19 asthma drug trial