Resources for Journalists

Sights set on curbing gun crime

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 1354 AEDT, 1554 NZDT

Criminology & Criminal Justice

A community or sub-culture encouraging young men’s exposure and obsession with guns – as well as ready access to firearms and drugs – can make gun violence ‘all too easy’, with ... Flinders Read more about Sights set on curbing gun crime

Are we a vaccine hog? Nearly 1/4 of the world may miss out on COVID-19 vaccines until 2022

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

The research highlights that Japan, Australia, and Canada have collectively reserved more than 1 billion vaccine doses, but do not account for even 1 per cent of current global COVID-19 ... cases. A Read more about Are we a vaccine hog? Nearly 1/4 of the world may miss out on COVID-19 vaccines until 2022

Covid 'traffic light' for NZ’s maritime borders might mean smoother sailing ahead

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

Research has set sail to predict what kind of COVID-19 risk each international vessel might pose when it nears New Zealand’s borders. ... The new work aims to create a model that would assess a ship’s Read more about Covid 'traffic light' for NZ’s maritime borders might mean smoother sailing ahead

Christmas and holiday entertaining – how to be food-safe and COVID-smart

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0615 AEDT, 0815 NZDT

This Summer and Christmas time is going to be a particular challenge as we also have to be aware of COVID-19 safety requirements as well as the usual need to ... Before arranging your Christmas and Read more about Christmas and holiday entertaining – how to be food-safe and COVID-smart

Nature’s 10 people who helped shape the science stories of 2020

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature

The list focuses on COVID-19, highlighting the roles of: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization; Chinese epidemiologist Li Lanjuan, who quickly recognised the Read more about Nature’s 10 people who helped shape the science stories of 2020

Isolating at home risks spreading COVID-19 to your family

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

They brought together the data from 54 previous studies, including nearly 78,000 people, and found COVID-19 is more likely than SARS and MERS were to spread within households. ... They say you're more Read more about Isolating at home risks spreading COVID-19 to your family

Young Right-Wingers don't like to play by the COVID rules

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Republican-oriented young adults in the US have a tendency to not obey social-distancing rules, and were more likely to participate in social recreational activities than their Centre- or ... The team Read more about Young Right-Wingers don't like to play by the COVID rules

Digital solutions may aid athletes’ mental health

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0245 AEDT, 0445 NZDT

JMIR Formative Research

stress. After analysing available literature, the researchers found digital mental health platforms including the use of smartphones and online behaviour analysis could help improve athletes' mental Read more about Digital solutions may aid athletes’ mental health

Vaccines alone won’t keep Australia COVID-safe

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences urges multi-pronged response for 2021. ... High levels of testing, efficient vaccine distribution and addressing pandemic mental health impacts are Read more about Vaccines alone won’t keep Australia COVID-safe

Way forward in protecting health care workers from COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1458 AEDT, 1658 NZDT

The European Respiratory Journal

A new study by Monash University provides evidence that a simple ventilated headboard hood can stop the spread of SARS-CoV2 between patients and health care workers in hospital wards. ... Currently, Read more about Way forward in protecting health care workers from COVID-19

‘Boss’ genes could save human hearts – and the reef

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1430 AEDT, 1630 NZDT

Cell Systems

When the body is injured, like in a heart attack, or stressed by an infection such as COVID-19, cells respond, adapt and make decisions,” he said. ... This research is published in Cell Systems and Read more about ‘Boss’ genes could save human hearts – and the reef

New studies put health equity at centre of COVID-19 pandemic response

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

3 million in funding for 11 new research studies that put health equity at the centre of New Zealand's COVID-19 pandemic response. ... The new funding will help ensure equitable health and wellbeing Read more about New studies put health equity at centre of COVID-19 pandemic response

‘I’m their kaumātua and I couldn’t even be there’ - Kaumātua responses to COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

As community leaders, kaumātua have been influential in curbing the spread of COVID-19, but they are also among the most vulnerable to the disease. Read more about ‘I’m their kaumātua and I couldn’t even be there’ - Kaumātua responses to COVID-19

PJs are OK: Scientists working from home in their in pyjamas work just as effectively

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

A study of staff and students at five medical research institutes in NSW has found that wearing pyjamas while working from home during the COVID pandemic was not associated with lower ... Not surprisingly, Read more about PJs are OK: Scientists working from home in their in pyjamas work just as effectively

Genetics indicate why some people get more severe COVID

Publicly released: Sat 12 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature

Genetic variants that are linked to the development of life-threatening illness in patients with COVID-19 have been identified and several are involved in inflammatory processes and the body’s Read more about Genetics indicate why some people get more severe COVID

Changes in breathing rate could signal COVID before symptoms start

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1255 AEDT, 1455 NZDT

PLOS ONE

They developed a model based on respiratory rate that was able to identify 20 per cent of COVID-19 positive individuals prior to the onset of symptoms and 80 per cent  ... of COVID-19 positive Read more about Changes in breathing rate could signal COVID before symptoms start

EXPERT REACTION: UQ COVID vaccine abandoned after HIV antibody positives

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

the UQ-CSL v451 COVID-19 vaccine has shown that it elicits a robust response towards the virus and has a strong safety profile. ... CSL and Seqirus are committed to continuing our work to protect the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: UQ COVID vaccine abandoned after HIV antibody positives

Detecting SARS-CoV-2 with a smartphone camera

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

Cell

International researchers, including an Aussie, have developed a device that can, with the help of a smartphone camera, detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in a nasal swab. ... When COVID-19 hit the scene Read more about Detecting SARS-CoV-2 with a smartphone camera

The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2020

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

The unusual location, his garden shed, was the result of having to work under lockdown conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... And the last to join the glow gang was the Tasmanian Devil, when in Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2020

EXPERT REACTION: Global Carbon Budget - unprecedented emissions slowdown thanks to COVID

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Earth System Science Data

where restrictions measures associated with COVID-19 occurred early in the year and lockdown measures were more limited in time. ... Aside from 2020, which was dramatically impacted by COVID, the report Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Global Carbon Budget - unprecedented emissions slowdown thanks to COVID