Resources for Journalists

Males are often the weaker sex when it comes to infectious diseases

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

Science

Males are more likely to have severe COVID-19 and die than females, and this difference between sexes is also seen in some other infectious diseases. ... While differences in behaviour may contribute, Read more about Males are often the weaker sex when it comes to infectious diseases

Barriers preventing high-quality mental health care for children revealed

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

But she stressed the rise of telehealth may not deliver effective care for children and adolescents with complex mental health problems, which could increase due to trauma from COVID-19. ... Researchers Read more about Barriers preventing high-quality mental health care for children revealed

Arthritis drug tocilizumab no better than standard care for severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jan 2021 at 1606 AEDT, 1806 NZDT

The BMJ

And they say these results “raise questions about an anti-inflammatory approach in the treatment of covid-19 beyond corticosteroids. ... Ends]Notes for editors Research: Effect of tocilizumab on Read more about Arthritis drug tocilizumab no better than standard care for severe COVID-19

COVID-19 lockdowns increase meth exposure risks in former home labs

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jan 2021 at 1300 AEDT, 1500 NZDT

ANZJPH

health agencies investigating methamphetamine contamination in houses during the Covid-19 pandemic. ... The study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, found that Covid-19 Read more about COVID-19 lockdowns increase meth exposure risks in former home labs

Is COVID-19 affecting male fertility?

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Biology

It considers preliminary studies suggesting SARS-CoV-2 could affect the male reproductive system, and the possibility of sexual transmission. ... Viral pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and male Read more about Is COVID-19 affecting male fertility?

Schools and parents urged to register for food safety training (plus Summer lunch box food safety tips)

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 0700 AEDT, 0900 NZDT

This year we have partnered with our supporter Provisual to get food safety information, including links to COVID safe information, into school canteens and tuckshops. ... Make sure ready-to-eat lunchbox Read more about Schools and parents urged to register for food safety training (plus Summer lunch box food safety tips)

Wearing a mask seems to reduce COVID-19 transmission

Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 2300 AEDT, Wed 20 Jan 21 at 0100 NZDT

The Lancet Digital Health

1] Face masks may help to prevent COVID-19 transmission by protecting the wearer from becoming infected or preventing the wearer from passing on the virus if they are infected, or ... The new study used Read more about Wearing a mask seems to reduce COVID-19 transmission

Lockdown affords Aussie tennis players a unique advantage

Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 1430 AEDT, 1630 NZDT

Prof Norton says that resistance training and the ability to adapt will be critical for players in lockdown. ... COVID-19 has presented unprecedented conditions for all of us; how players perform is yet Read more about Lockdown affords Aussie tennis players a unique advantage

COVID-19 death rates seem to have decreased over time

Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers used patient health records to determine death from all causes for 468 patients with COVID-19 related critical illnesses over 28 days during the initial days of the pandemic. ... unit with Read more about COVID-19 death rates seem to have decreased over time

EXPERT REACTION: Should we pause the 5G roll out until safety is confirmed?

Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health

There are no health concerns about 5G and COVID-19, despite what conspiracy theorists have suggested. ... But there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to suggest that it is implicated in the spread of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Should we pause the 5G roll out until safety is confirmed?

New method to assist fast-tracking of vaccines for pre-clinical tests

Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 0700 AEDT, 0900 NZDT

PNAS

A tuberculosis vaccine demonstrated a strong immune response in mice; and the method can be applied to other respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. ... CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Read more about New method to assist fast-tracking of vaccines for pre-clinical tests

EXPERT REACTION: Deaths in elderly Norwegians after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 1246 AEDT, 1446 NZDT

Norway has reported a number of deaths and side effects in elderly people after being given the Pfizer vaccine. ... According to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), of 40,000 people Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Deaths in elderly Norwegians after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Virus receptor may help explain why older people and men are more at risk from COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

Respirology

The virus which causes COVID-19 gets into our cells through a receptor called ACE2, and now Australian researchers have shown that older people and men tend to have more of ... this receptor on the cells Read more about Virus receptor may help explain why older people and men are more at risk from COVID-19

COVID-19 increases risks for women giving birth

Publicly released: Sat 16 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

with COVID-19 than in those without COVID-19, according to a US study of 6,380 mums-to-be who had COVID-19, and 400,066 who did not. ... compared among hospitalized women with and without COVID-19 who Read more about COVID-19 increases risks for women giving birth

Keep your nose out of it: Saliva tests may be just as good as nose swabs for COVID-19

Publicly released: Sat 16 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

A review of studies has found that saliva sample-based tests are just as good as nose swab based tests when it comes to detecting the virus that causes COVID-19, ... The researchers looked at the data for Read more about Keep your nose out of it: Saliva tests may be just as good as nose swabs for COVID-19

Australian Academy of Science statement on the pandemic, vaccines and misinformation

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0830 AEDT, 1030 NZDT

None of the vaccines that have been approved for use have demonstrated that they can stop transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) – conclusive data is not ... The approval and Read more about Australian Academy of Science statement on the pandemic, vaccines and misinformation

COVID-19 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Pathogens

SARS-CoV-2 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use Researchers have developed and applied a robust, versatile antibody test to assist health authorities in managing the Read more about COVID-19 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use

COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Ophthalmology

US and Chinese scientists say being stuck indoors during the pandemic may be affecting some kids' eyesight, making them more near-sighted. ... They looked at eye tests of more than 120,000 children aged 6 Read more about COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted

Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Notifications to authorities of suspected child abuse fell in Australia during COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ in 2020 and increased again as restrictions were eased, according to a new report from the Read more about Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns

Men more susceptible to COVID-19 than women

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1530 AEDT, 1730 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Men are more likely to test positive for COVID-19, more likely to have complications and more likely to die from the virus than women, independent of age, according to US ... The authors add: “Males Read more about Men more susceptible to COVID-19 than women