Resources for Journalists

Lying face down may not help COVID-19 patients breathe easier

Publicly released: Thu 28 Jan 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

Respirology

Lying in the prone position, face down, has been suggested as a way to help people with COVID-19 who are struggling to  breathe, but Australian doctors have found that for ... people with COVID-19 who Read more about Lying face down may not help COVID-19 patients breathe easier

Being transparent about COVID testing benefits the workplace

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

A simulation model for small workplaces shows that workers who are open about testing for COVID-19 and their test results translate into improved workplace productivity and minimised infections, Read more about Being transparent about COVID testing benefits the workplace

Even very young kids can socially distance at school

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Measures to reduce COVID-19 spread in English primary schools reduced close in-person contacts by 50-80 per cent, according to UK research. ... Novel approach to evaluate contact patterns and risk Read more about Even very young kids can socially distance at school

Why does Flu get worse as we age - and is it the same for COVID?

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jan 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

Clinical & Translational Immunology

The team also found that regardless of age, people infected with COVID-19 similarly did not produce the emergency signals needed for an early immune response to the virus. ... They also suggest that Read more about Why does Flu get worse as we age - and is it the same for COVID?

No fans, no fights - did sporting matches get less heated during COVID?

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

Humanities & Social Sciences Communications

in games played during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, when supporters were absent. ... Michael Leitner, the first author of the study said: “During the COVID-19 pandemic the Austrian Bundesliga – like Read more about No fans, no fights - did sporting matches get less heated during COVID?

Smoking increases your risk of severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Previously evidence to link smoking to COVID-19 risk had been limited and often contradictory but this study found that the cumulative exposure to cigarette smoke was an independent risk factor Read more about Smoking increases your risk of severe COVID-19

EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Publicly released: Mon 25 Jan 2021 at 1232 AEDT, 1432 NZDT

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) today announced that it has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia. ... It is the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in Australia. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Global demand for cancer surgery set to surge

Publicly released: Mon 25 Jan 2021 at 1046 AEDT, 1246 NZDT

The Lancet Oncology

The modelling study was an international collaboration between researchers from UNSW Sydney, University of Toronto, Kings College London, and the World Health Organization. ... The study did not assess Read more about Global demand for cancer surgery set to surge

Need for school children to return to sport

Publicly released: Mon 25 Jan 2021 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

in addition to worries about COVID-19 restrictions. ... There is a chance that sport can be better for all children and youth than before COVID-19 restrictions through a different model of youth sport Read more about Need for school children to return to sport

Tweets show the good, the bad, and the ugly of lockdown

Publicly released: Sat 23 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

PLoS ONE

In South Africa the Covid-19 lockdown had a significant negative impact on happiness. ... This was measured using sentiment analysis of Twitter posts (between January and June), with every tweet Read more about Tweets show the good, the bad, and the ugly of lockdown

PTSD link to pandemic panic

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 1439 AEDT, 1639 NZDT

PLoS ONE

We found that traumatic stress was related to future events, such as worry about oneself or a family member contracting COVID-19, to direct contact with the virus, as well as ... a range of research on Read more about PTSD link to pandemic panic

Truth-telling vital for Australia's unity

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 1430 AEDT, 1630 NZDT

It is important that all Australians understand the impacts of colonisation and dispossession and the truth of the frontiers wars", says co-author Aboriginal archaeologist Dr Kellie Pollard, from Read more about Truth-telling vital for Australia's unity

The National Youth Science Forum 2021 Year 12 Program closing event: Meet the Chiefs

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 1300 AEDT, 1500 NZDT

They will be particularly interested in the key STEM industries and job opportunities available to them in the future. ... The world will be spending trillions of dollars to counter the economic effects Read more about The National Youth Science Forum 2021 Year 12 Program closing event: Meet the Chiefs

Could COVID quarantine be reduced to a week?

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

The Lancet Public Health

for contacts of COVID-19 cases UK modelling study estimates 59% of SARS-CoV-2 transmission may be prevented by completing the WHO recommended 14-day quarantine period after exposure to ... Rapid lateral Read more about Could COVID quarantine be reduced to a week?

Evidence of the virus behind COVID-19 found in the cornea

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

JAMA Ophthalmology

Genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in the cornea of patients with COVID-19, according to German research. ... Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Cornea of Patients Read more about Evidence of the virus behind COVID-19 found in the cornea

Severe allergic reaction extremely rare with Pfizer COVID vaccine

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

JAMA Insights

Severe allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis, to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine are rare, with around 11 cases for every million doses administered, say US scientists. ... During December 14 to 23, 2020, Read more about Severe allergic reaction extremely rare with Pfizer COVID vaccine

EXPERT Q&A: Answering your questions about COVID-19 variants

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

With reports of new COVID-19 strains emerging in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, an Australian expert answers key questions about the new strains and how they might impact the ... current COVID-19 Read more about EXPERT Q&A: Answering your questions about COVID-19 variants

Social pressure vs doing the right thing - what matters more for social distancing?

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

British Journal of Psychology

Social pressure may be more influential than personal belief when it comes to following COVID-19 guidelines, according to an international study of over 6,500 people in 114 countries. ... Tunçgenç noted Read more about Social pressure vs doing the right thing - what matters more for social distancing?

Watch those sanitiser squirts! Reports of hand sanitiser in the eye up 7 fold

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

JAMA Ophthalmology

Pediatric Eye Injuries, Hand Sanitizer During COVID-19 Pandemic JAMA Ophthalmology Brief Report Pediatric Eye Injuries by Hydroalcoholic Gel in the Context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Read more about Watch those sanitiser squirts! Reports of hand sanitiser in the eye up 7 fold

Sliding life expectancy poses gender, inequity questions

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Professor Baum says this situation has been amplified during COVID-19, with such high numbers of women around the world engaged in vulnerable frontline health provision and essential work services. Read more about Sliding life expectancy poses gender, inequity questions