Resources for Journalists

Distancing age groups could reduce COVID-19 deaths

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Open Biology

COVID-19 deaths could be significantly reduced if people are only allowed to socialise within their own age group in places such as movie theatres or restaurants, according to new modelling. Read more about Distancing age groups could reduce COVID-19 deaths

Around 1 in 6 of us drank more booze during the pandemic, but 1 in 6 drank less

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Around 1 in 6 Australians drank more alcohol during the COVID19 pandemic  - but around 1 in 6 Aussies also drank less, possibly because the pubs and clubs were shut, according to ... The survey of over Read more about Around 1 in 6 of us drank more booze during the pandemic, but 1 in 6 drank less

Reopening restaurants and cafes carries high risk of spreading COVID

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature

Reopening places such as restaurants, fitness centres, cafes, and hotels carries the highest risk for transmitting SARS-CoV-2, according to modelling based on US data, but there is hope for Read more about Reopening restaurants and cafes carries high risk of spreading COVID

EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer announces COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

US pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced overnight that their vaccine candidate was more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19. ... The results are based on Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer announces COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective

Lockdown may lead to future flu outbreaks

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0904 AEDT, 1104 NZDT

PNAS

The researchers found that the measures intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 have also caused respiratory disease transmission to decline by at least 20 per cent. ... They say that leaves the Read more about Lockdown may lead to future flu outbreaks

Overcrowded nursing homes hit much harder by COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Data from 623 nursing homes in Ontario, Canada suggest crowded homes were more likely to experience larger and deadlier COVID-19 outbreaks, according to Canadian researchers. ... Sharing bedrooms and Read more about Overcrowded nursing homes hit much harder by COVID-19

Yet another trial finds hydroxychloroquine doesn't treat COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA

A randomised controlled trial of hydroxychloroquine has once again found the treatment did not significantly improve the outcome of patients hospitalised with COVID-19. ... The study compared the effects Read more about Yet another trial finds hydroxychloroquine doesn't treat COVID-19

Are our soils healthy enough to grow our own food?

Publicly released: Mon 9 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT, 1330 NZDT

Journal of Cleaner Production

University of Adelaide researchers at the Waite campus have surveyed soil health across the Adelaide region to uncover the potential for food crops to be grown in an urban environment. ... The global COVID Read more about Are our soils healthy enough to grow our own food?

COVID-19 and mental health: Are we really all in it together?

Publicly released: Mon 9 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

MJA

When it comes to COVID-19 and its effects on the mental health of Australians, we may “all be in this together” but some are further in than others, according to ... Policymakers must change their Read more about COVID-19 and mental health: Are we really all in it together?

Leukaemia patient shed infectious SARS-CoV-2 for at least 70 days

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1133 AEDT, 1333 NZDT

Cell

The majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 shed infectious virus for about eight days, but the case highlights the wide range of variability from person to person, the scientists ... As the virus Read more about Leukaemia patient shed infectious SARS-CoV-2 for at least 70 days

Asian patients with COVID-19 may be more at risk of stroke

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

New research has linked COVID-19 and Asian ethnicity among stroke patients. ... Doctors in the UK looked at the data of over 1400 patients, and found that nearly 1 in 5 of those with COVID-19 when they Read more about Asian patients with COVID-19 may be more at risk of stroke

Should people be paid to get a COVID-19 jab?

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

Journal of Medical Ethics

Governments should consider paying people to get a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a UK ethicist. ... The author says either financial incentives, or 'payment in kind', could be key to ensuring enough Read more about Should people be paid to get a COVID-19 jab?

COVID immune response different in kids

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

Nature Immunology

Children and adults have different immune responses to COVID-19, according to new research. ... Their findings suggest there are key differences in the way the immune system responds to the virus in Read more about COVID immune response different in kids

Australian health spending grew by 3.1% during 2018-19

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Spending on health goods and services grew by 3. 1 per cent to $195. ... 7 billion in 2018-19, according to a new report. The report, Health expenditure Australia 2018-19, presents spending data for the Read more about Australian health spending grew by 3.1% during 2018-19

EXPERT REACTION: The US formally withdraws from the Paris Agreement

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

The US could re-join it in future, should a president choose to do so. ... It aims to keep the global temperature rise this century well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to Read more about EXPERT REACTION: The US formally withdraws from the Paris Agreement

EXPERT REACTION: Australia secures two new potential coronavirus vaccines

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1522 AEDT, 1722 NZDT

It has just been reported that the Federal Government announced two more potential coronavirus vaccines have been secured for Australia. ... Australia will get 40 million doses of the vaccine being Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Australia secures two new potential coronavirus vaccines

Social media can guide public pandemic policy

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1253 AEDT, 1453 NZDT

Health Information Science and Systems

As global cases of COVID-19 fast approach 50 million, a team of QUT researchers examined more than 35,000 tweets and say social media analytics can capture the attitudes and ... They also suggest social Read more about Social media can guide public pandemic policy

Decline in reported availability of methamphetamine and heroin during COVID-19 restrictions

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0005 AEDT, 0205 NZDT

The Drug Trends program at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney has released reports on findings from annual surveys with hundreds of people who regularly use Read more about Decline in reported availability of methamphetamine and heroin during COVID-19 restrictions

R0 may not be the best way to keep track of COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

International scientists say R0 - the basic reproductive number used to indicate the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 - is too simple to reflect the complex process of a virus Read more about R0 may not be the best way to keep track of COVID-19

NEWS BRIEFING: Australia's current biosecurity not enough to meet growing threats - CSIRO Report 

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

At least 75 per cent of emerging human infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, originate from animals. ... If COVID has taught us anything, it is that keeping biological threats out is critical. Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Australia's current biosecurity not enough to meet growing threats - CSIRO Report