Resources for Journalists

Love goes on in lockdown, but is less physical for some

Publicly released: Wed 18 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexual activity and dating app use declined among Australian adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, although chatting on dating apps increased, University of Melbourne research has found. Read more about Love goes on in lockdown, but is less physical for some

Queensland suicide rate unaffected during first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Psychiatry

Up until the end of August there was no overall change in Queensland’s suspected suicide rate between since the declaration of a public health emergency declaration (PHED) on January 29. Read more about Queensland suicide rate unaffected during first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Ranking the best ways to limit COVID spread

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

The most effective ways of limiting COVID are cancelling small gatherings, closing schools and unis, border restrictions, individual movement restrictions, national lockdowns and increasing the Read more about Ranking the best ways to limit COVID spread

Measles outbreaks likely in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

The Lancet

Major measles outbreaks will likely occur during 2021 as an unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new academic article. Read more about Measles outbreaks likely in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Key patient insights the missing link in understanding COVID-19 and its mutations

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

5 per cent of current entries in GISAID, the world’s largest novel coronavirus genome database, do not contain relevant patient information — a critical piece of the puzzle to understand Read more about Key patient insights the missing link in understanding COVID-19 and its mutations

COVID-19 stigma could lead to more infections

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1631 AEDT, 1831 NZDT

Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine

A comprehensive guide to dealing with stigma around contracting COVID-19 has been developed by a team of researchers including a New Zealander. ... They say shame associated with the virus could result in Read more about COVID-19 stigma could lead to more infections

New drug research for prostate cancer could also fight COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1201 AEDT, 1401 NZDT

Endocrine-Related Cancer

Two drugs under development to treat aggressive prostate cancer will now be tested to combat the deadliest response to COVID-19 infection - acute respiratory distress syndrome. Read more about New drug research for prostate cancer could also fight COVID-19

Strict COVID-19 measures in the NT have smashed the curve

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

MJA

Between 4 March and 4 April 2020, 28 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the NT, all linked to overseas or interstate travel. ... More recent evidence suggests that viable SARS-CoV-2 is rarely isolated Read more about Strict COVID-19 measures in the NT have smashed the curve

How the Royal Melbourne Hospital controlled Australia's biggest outbreak of COVID in health care workers

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Royal Melbourne Hospital had the largest institutional outbreak of COVID-19 in health care workers in Australia to date, and used a range of approaches to control the spread of the ... virus, say Read more about How the Royal Melbourne Hospital controlled Australia's biggest outbreak of COVID in health care workers

EXPERT REACTION: Preliminary results from University of Queensland's phase I COVID-19 vaccine trial

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 1300 AEDT, 1500 NZDT

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has this morning announced that the University of Queensland's COVID-19 vaccine is so far proving "safe and effective", based on phase 1 trials. ... Various media reports Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Preliminary results from University of Queensland's phase I COVID-19 vaccine trial

Ahead of World Diabetes Day, experts call for urgent action to address global diabetes epidemic

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

Lancet

In 2019, 4. 2 million people died as a result of the condition and its complications, with the authors adding in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of ... people with diabetes, Read more about Ahead of World Diabetes Day, experts call for urgent action to address global diabetes epidemic

Covid treatment gets hospital patients back on their feet

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

A clinical trial suggests interferon beta-1a is an effective treatment for hospitalised COVID-19 patients. ... The trial included 101 patients, and the researchers say it should be tested again with a Read more about Covid treatment gets hospital patients back on their feet

COVID-19 takes a year off life expectancy in Spain

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

PLOS One

Spain’s annual life expectancy at birth dropped by 0. 9 years between 2019 and July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. ... It also shows that in the hard-hit city of Madrid Read more about COVID-19 takes a year off life expectancy in Spain

Rapid COVID-19 test could be misleading

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0915 AEDT, 1115 NZDT

The BMJ

As many as one in five people who receive a positive result from a finger-prick antibody test might have never had a Covid infection, new research suggests. ... The study authors say the AbC-19 Rapid Test Read more about Rapid COVID-19 test could be misleading

Significant barriers to COVID-19 antibody treatments

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

JAMA

Antibody treatments for COVID-19 could face major issues with emergency approval and equity of treatment, US medical researchers argue. ... Monoclonal antibodies garnered attention when they were part of Read more about Significant barriers to COVID-19 antibody treatments

New COVID-19 strategy: vaccinate potential superspreaders first

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

As the world pins its hopes on Pfizer's announcement this week of an effective vaccine, Macquarie University researchers have unveiled a strategy addressing the question of who should be vaccinated Read more about New COVID-19 strategy: vaccinate potential superspreaders first

An antidepressant might help stop mild COVID-19 from becoming worse

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA

The antidepressant fluvoxamine, usually sold under the brand name Luvox, may stop mild COVID-19 from becoming more severe, according to a small clinical trial by US researchers. ... In a randomised trial Read more about An antidepressant might help stop mild COVID-19 from becoming worse

BRIEFING: State of the Climate BOM/CSIRO report - More big weather is coming

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Surface waters are acidifying, and the frequency, intensity and duration of marine heatwaves has increased. ... COVID-19 lockdowns and economic downturn helped reduce global emissions in 2020 but has not Read more about BRIEFING: State of the Climate BOM/CSIRO report - More big weather is coming

Tired of COVID? More than half of those who caught it have lasting fatigue

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1651 AEDT, 1851 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Of the 128 people they studied, 67 reported persistent fatigue around 10 weeks after initial COVID-19 symptoms, while almost one-third of those previously employed had not returned to work. Read more about Tired of COVID? More than half of those who caught it have lasting fatigue

Australian healthcare workers almost 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

International Journal of Nursing Studies

A new study has estimated how health workers’ risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection differs from that of the broader community. Read more about Australian healthcare workers almost 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population