Resources for Journalists

Computer models for 80 potential COVID-19 treatments

Publicly released: Thu 3 Sep 2020 at 1610 AEST, 1810 NZST

ArXiv

Australian scientists using cloud-based supercomputer programs have joined forces with  biotechnology company Vaxine Pty Ltd to identify up to 80 new potential candidate drugs against the COVID-19 Read more about Computer models for 80 potential COVID-19 treatments

EXPERT REACTION: Analysis finds steroids help treat critically ill COVID-19 patients

Publicly released: Thu 3 Sep 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

JAMA

Treating critically ill COVID-19 patients with corticosteroids, including dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone, is associated with improved survival, a new meta-analysis with Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Analysis finds steroids help treat critically ill COVID-19 patients

Pregnant COVID-19 patients less likely to have symptoms, but more likely to need intensive care

Publicly released: Wed 2 Sep 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

A review of 77 studies has revealed the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant and recently pregnant women. ... The authors write that healthcare professionals should be aware that pregnant women with COVID-19 Read more about Pregnant COVID-19 patients less likely to have symptoms, but more likely to need intensive care

COVID-19 may spread through the air on public transport

Publicly released: Wed 2 Sep 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

Airborne spread of SARS-CoV-2 seems likely to have contributed to the infections in the exposed bus, they say. ... Future efforts at prevention and control must consider the potential for COVID-19 to Read more about COVID-19 may spread through the air on public transport

Saliva-based COVID test kits less effective than current nose and throat swabs

Publicly released: Tue 1 Sep 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

A self-administered kit that uses saliva to test for COVID-19 is less effective at detecting the virus than standard nose and throat swabs, according to US research. ... positive samples, the virus was Read more about Saliva-based COVID test kits less effective than current nose and throat swabs

COVID-19 exposes gaps in NBN

Publicly released: Mon 31 Aug 2020 at 1204 AEST, 1404 NZST

Telecommunications Policy

The COVID-19 crisis is increasingly highlighted shortcomings in Australia’s National Broadband Network, Flinders University experts say. ... With access to high-speed broadband (HSB) and the internet Read more about COVID-19 exposes gaps in NBN

COVID-19 an opportunity for Australia to help boost Indo-Pacific health services

Publicly released: Mon 31 Aug 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

MJA

for any future major public health emergencies like COVID-19, according to Australian authors writing in a 'Perspective' article. ... and also offers a chance to leverage Australia’s expertise in Read more about COVID-19 an opportunity for Australia to help boost Indo-Pacific health services

Kids' COVID symptoms may go undetected

Publicly released: Sat 29 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Around 1 in 5 kids with COVID 19 are asymptomatic and even in those with symptoms, they are often too mild to be noticed, according to research from South Korea. ... During the COVID pandemic South Korea Read more about Kids' COVID symptoms may go undetected

Hydroxychloroquine hopes dashed

Publicly released: Fri 28 Aug 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

Evidence is mounting against the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19. ... The review authors say a great deal of research has already been done on the drug’s effect on COVID-19 mortality, and it Read more about Hydroxychloroquine hopes dashed

Kids have less severe COVID-19 than adults and death is exceptionally rare

Publicly released: Fri 28 Aug 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

However, the findings also show that Black children were disproportionately severely affected by COVID-19 infection. ... The scientists analysed data from 651 UK children and young people with COVID-19. Read more about Kids have less severe COVID-19 than adults and death is exceptionally rare

New COVID-19 test gives results in 40 min and costs a gold coin

Publicly released: Fri 28 Aug 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Pathogens

Researchers have developed a fast, accurate, low-cost COVID-19 test without the need for sophisticated equipment. ... production. In an experiment, the CRISPR test successfully detected all 52 coronavirus Read more about New COVID-19 test gives results in 40 min and costs a gold coin

The danger of DIY vaccines

Publicly released: Fri 28 Aug 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Science

Homemade COVID-19 vaccines could erode public trust in science, US medical ethicists write in a new editorial in Science. ... They say public mistrust in vaccines is growing, and the concept of a "DIY Read more about The danger of DIY vaccines

Search for COVID-19 drugs boosted by SARS discovery

Publicly released: Thu 27 Aug 2020 at 1628 AEST, 1828 NZST

The EMBO Journal

An extensive search and testing of current drugs and drug-like compounds has revealed compounds previously developed to fight SARS might also work against COVID-19. ... Initially developed as potential Read more about Search for COVID-19 drugs boosted by SARS discovery

The world is aging and COVID-19 shows we’re not ready

Publicly released: Thu 27 Aug 2020 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed a glaring hole in our knowledge of age and immunity, US researchers argue in an editorial. ... They advocate for moving funding from disease-specific research towards Read more about The world is aging and COVID-19 shows we’re not ready

Robot pets could spread nasty microbes through care homes

Publicly released: Thu 27 Aug 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

the facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The research also outlines a simple cleaning procedure which can clear out most of the nasties. Read more about Robot pets could spread nasty microbes through care homes

EXPLAINER: Vaccine clinical trial phases

Publicly released: Wed 26 Aug 2020 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

The race is on to find a COVID-19 vaccine. According to the World Health Organization there are currently 31 vaccine candidates undergoing various phases of clinical trials around the world, Read more about EXPLAINER: Vaccine clinical trial phases

Lockdowns have economic and social costs for world’s poorest families

Publicly released: Wed 26 Aug 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

Lancet Global Health

Low socioeconomic families – and particularly women – experienced increased financial hardship, food insecurity, domestic violence and mental health challenges during COVID-19 lockdown measures Read more about Lockdowns have economic and social costs for world’s poorest families

EXPERT REACTION: First reported case of COVID-19 reinfection

Publicly released: Tue 25 Aug 2020 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

Clinical Infectious Diseases

The first case of COVID-19 reinfection has been reported by Hong Kong University. ... The researchers say a 33-year old man was diagnosed with coronavirus more than four months after he recovered from a Read more about EXPERT REACTION: First reported case of COVID-19 reinfection

Alcohol just as big a burden on hospitals as COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 25 Aug 2020 at 0500 AEST, 0700 NZST

Drug and Alcohol Review

Alcohol is responsible for just as many, if not more, visits to the hospital than COVID-19, argue international researchers including an Australian, despite it being deemed an essential service in Read more about Alcohol just as big a burden on hospitals as COVID-19

Google searches for anxiety spiked early in COVID-19 pandemic, then returned to normal

Publicly released: Tue 25 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

US scientists say Google searches related to anxiety and panic attacks spiked early in the COVID-19 pandemic, but have since returned to typical levels. ... Anxiety-related searches were 11 per cent Read more about Google searches for anxiety spiked early in COVID-19 pandemic, then returned to normal