Resources for Journalists

10 lessons from the virus crisis - and why some countries struggled

Publicly released: Mon 22 Feb 2021 at 1330 AEDT, 1530 NZDT

The BMJ

critical system components,” the 15 authors say in the new article published in a special British Medical Journal analysis series ‘COVID-19: The Road to Equity and Solidarity’The 10 variables Read more about 10 lessons from the virus crisis - and why some countries struggled

Has lockdown driven tinnitus sufferers to despair?

Publicly released: Mon 22 Feb 2021 at 1045 AEDT, 1245 NZDT

analysis of tinnitus – involving brain stimulation trials to manage the condition and examining whether tinnitus suffers fared worse during COVID-19 lockdowns. ... tinnitus sufferers during COVID-19, Read more about Has lockdown driven tinnitus sufferers to despair?

EXPERT REACTION: Vaccine program kicks off in Australia

Publicly released: Mon 22 Feb 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

Australia's vaccine program kicks off in earnest today with a phased program that begins with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the most vulnerable people in the community. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Vaccine program kicks off in Australia

Humble pie: soul food for the best leaders

Publicly released: Mon 22 Feb 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Human Relations

It’s an interesting finding – especially given that leaders are more commonly aligned with characteristics of confidence, charisma, and influence – but in a post-COVID era where remote work is Read more about Humble pie: soul food for the best leaders

COVID-19 symptoms can linger for 9 months after recovery, even with mild disease

Publicly released: Sat 20 Feb 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The findings suggest that the health consequences of COVID-19 extend far beyond acute infection, even among those with mild illness, the experts say. ... Symptoms Months After COVID-19 What The Study Did: Read more about COVID-19 symptoms can linger for 9 months after recovery, even with mild disease

What happens to immunity levels post COVID-19 infection?

Publicly released: Fri 19 Feb 2021 at 2100 AEDT, 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

The spike protein enables SARS-CoV-2 to attach and enter cells in humans and is crucial in inducing neutralising antibodies to protect from re-infection. ... In addition, what remains to be understood is Read more about What happens to immunity levels post COVID-19 infection?

Over 20.5 million years of life may have been lost due to COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 19 Feb 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Years of life lost (YLL) - the difference between an individual’s age at death and their life expectancy - due to COVID-19 in heavily affected countries may be two to nine ... Years of life lost (YLL) Read more about Over 20.5 million years of life may have been lost due to COVID-19

Nearly a third of people with serious COVID-19 may develop PTSD

Publicly released: Fri 19 Feb 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Psychiatry

An Italian study of 381 patients who had recovered from severe COVID-19 found 30. ... PTSD in Patients After Severe COVID-19 Infection What The Study Did: Characteristics associated with posttraumatic Read more about Nearly a third of people with serious COVID-19 may develop PTSD

1 in 5 diabetics hospitalised with COVID-19 die

Publicly released: Thu 18 Feb 2021 at 1610 AEDT, 1810 NZDT

Diabetologia

CORONADO study, analysing the outcomes of patients with diabetes admitted to hospital with COVID-19, shows that one in five patients die within 28 days while around half are discharged. ... In May 2020, Read more about 1 in 5 diabetics hospitalised with COVID-19 die

Kiwis develop low-cost test for COVID-19 antibodies

Publicly released: Thu 18 Feb 2021 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

Transfusion

outside of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the COVID-19 virus) were copied and turned into a synthetic paint (Kode™ Technology) to modify the outside of red blood cells. ... In our publication, Kode copied Read more about Kiwis develop low-cost test for COVID-19 antibodies

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