Resources for Journalists

Call for immunology to return to the wild

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Science

The viruses that cause COVID-19, AIDS, Ebola, and rabies – among others – all made the lethal jump from wildlife into humans, so understanding how the immune system works in animals that Read more about Call for immunology to return to the wild

Making and breaking friendships in Brazil

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

Now Kiwi and Japanese researchers have surveyed Brazilians in the first country-wide study of friendships and romantic relationships to better understand how different cultures make and choose Read more about Making and breaking friendships in Brazil

Those with COVID-19 could also be at increased risk of stroke

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Neurology

Patients with COVID-19 may also be at heightened risk of stroke, according to international researchers who looked at 3,402 patients at two hospitals in New York City. ... The researchers compared Read more about Those with COVID-19 could also be at increased risk of stroke

Social distancing superstars helped slow US COVID-19 spread

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 1600 AEST, 1800 NZST

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

People who proactively started social distancing before government policies were in place may have helped slow the spread of COVID-19 in the US, according to international researchers who looked at Read more about Social distancing superstars helped slow US COVID-19 spread

'Immunity passport' test misses one in three COVID-19 cases on average

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

8 per cent accurate at correctly detecting COVID-19 depending on the type of test method used, meaning that up to a third of those with the virus would be missed. ... The research also found that up to Read more about 'Immunity passport' test misses one in three COVID-19 cases on average

CSIRO uses lab-grown 'lungs' to fight respiratory viruses

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

Viruses

Scientists have found that human airway cells grown in a laboratory can reliably be used to study respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, which could help to minimise animal testing and Read more about CSIRO uses lab-grown 'lungs' to fight respiratory viruses

Official US count may underestimate COVID-19 deaths by 28 per cent

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

US and Danish scientists have estimated the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 in the USA between 1st March and 30th May 2020, and say there were 122,300 more ... In several states, many deaths occurred Read more about Official US count may underestimate COVID-19 deaths by 28 per cent

Small study suggests Kawasaki-like COVID-19 syndrome may damage 1 in 7 kids' brains

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Neurology

UK scientists investigated 27 children with COVID-19-related pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome - the Kawasaki disease-like symptoms that can affect kids with the virus - and found four who Read more about Small study suggests Kawasaki-like COVID-19 syndrome may damage 1 in 7 kids' brains

EXPERT REACTION: US buys almost all global stock of COVID-19 drug remdesivir

Publicly released: Wed 1 Jul 2020 at 1230 AEST, 1430 NZST

The drug, produced by American pharmaceutical company Gilead, is one of only two drugs so far shown to help in the treatment of COVID-19. ... The Trump administration recently announced it has now bought Read more about EXPERT REACTION: US buys almost all global stock of COVID-19 drug remdesivir

Modelling shows tracking app critical to containing COVID second wave

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jun 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Public Health Research & Practice

Independent modelling published today projects a second wave of COVID-19 in Australia if social distancing and testing decline further – but new cases could be slashed by over 50% if enough Read more about Modelling shows tracking app critical to containing COVID second wave

Banning trophy hunting amid COVID-19 threatens African wildlife and livelihoods

Publicly released: Mon 29 Jun 2020 at 1700 AEST, 1900 NZST

Conservation Science and Practice

Griffith University scientists have revealed the devastating effects a trophy hunting ban will have on wildlife conservation and livelihoods in Africa. ... In an article published this week in The Read more about Banning trophy hunting amid COVID-19 threatens African wildlife and livelihoods

EXPERT REACTION: Victoria's jump in COVID-19 cases - is this a second wave?

Publicly released: Mon 29 Jun 2020 at 1300 AEST, 1500 NZST

Victoria has on Monday recorded 75 new COVID-19 cases, the largest case increase since 70 cases were recorded on March 31 and the state's fourth-highest single day increase ... since the start of the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Victoria's jump in COVID-19 cases - is this a second wave?

COVID-19 antibody tests may prove useful, but timing is key

Publicly released: Fri 26 Jun 2020 at 1124 AEST, 1324 NZST

Cochrane Reviews

The immune system of people who have COVID-19 responds by developing proteins in the blood called antibodies that attack the virus. ... The tests only wrongly diagnosed COVID-19 in 1% to 2% of people Read more about COVID-19 antibody tests may prove useful, but timing is key

Ciggies, vapes or waterpipes: Which is worse during the pandemic?

Publicly released: Fri 26 Jun 2020 at 1047 AEST, 1247 NZST

European Heart Journal

COVID-19, suffering worse symptoms, and dying from it. ... The team stresses that quitting completely is the most effective way to halt heart and lung issues down the line. Read more about Ciggies, vapes or waterpipes: Which is worse during the pandemic?

Cholesterol-lowering drugs linked to lower COVID death rate

Publicly released: Fri 26 Jun 2020 at 1019 AEST, 1219 NZST

Cell Metabolism

The use of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins is associated with a lower death rate and a lower incidence of needing mechanical ventilation in patients hospitalised with COVID-19, according to Read more about Cholesterol-lowering drugs linked to lower COVID death rate

Sunshine on a COVID day - cleaner skies during lockdown a boost for solar power

Publicly released: Fri 26 Jun 2020 at 1002 AEST, 1202 NZST

Joule

increased about 8 per cent, compared with data from the same dates from 2017 to 2019. ... The researchers say they would expect to find similar results from other parts of the world where the air was Read more about Sunshine on a COVID day - cleaner skies during lockdown a boost for solar power

Researchers advise mass masking in NZ

Publicly released: Fri 26 Jun 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

Researchers and medical professionals from across New Zealand are calling for the widespread use of non-medical masks to strengthen efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Read more about Researchers advise mass masking in NZ

Supporting NZ's elite athletes during the pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 26 Jun 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

COVID-19 and its social consequences have affected New Zealand's elite athletes in a number of ways, including their mental and physical health. ... The guidelines include recommendations for sport Read more about Supporting NZ's elite athletes during the pandemic

Generic gout drug colchicine slows COVID-19 progress in patients

Publicly released: Thu 25 Jun 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

A generic drug used to treat gout, colchicine, slowed the time taken for COVID-19 patients to become seriously ill, compared with patients who were not given the drug, according to ... The Read more about Generic gout drug colchicine slows COVID-19 progress in patients

The most prominent voices of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed

Publicly released: Thu 25 Jun 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Epidemiologists and immunologists enjoyed record media attention during the coronavirus pandemic but their profile still paled in comparison to that of politicians and public health officials, Read more about The most prominent voices of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed