Resources for Journalists

What kind of person hoards loo roll in a pandemic? Older organised worriers

Publicly released: Sat 13 Jun 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

We Aussies led the world in over-enthusiastic dunny paper purchasing when COVID-19 first hit our shores (so proud), making international headlines, and leading to a surge in toilet paper ... Swiss and Read more about What kind of person hoards loo roll in a pandemic? Older organised worriers

Facemasks effectively reduce COVID-19 transmission, suggesting airborne spread

Publicly released: Fri 12 Jun 2020 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

PNAS

A comparison of trends in COVID-19 infections in Italy and New York City, before and after the implementation of mandatory face mask use, suggests that the measure prevented more than ... The findings Read more about Facemasks effectively reduce COVID-19 transmission, suggesting airborne spread

Yet more evidence that much-hyped hydroxychloroquine can't fight COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 12 Jun 2020 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

Med

A US study of data from 807 people hospitalised with COVID-19 at Veterans Affairs medical centers around the USA has found that hydroxychloroquine - with or without azithromycin - did not reduce Read more about Yet more evidence that much-hyped hydroxychloroquine can't fight COVID-19

Call for urgent action as COVID-19 mental health crisis exposed

Publicly released: Fri 12 Jun 2020 at 0948 AEST, 1148 NZST

JMIR Mental Health

New data from two of South Australia’s preeminent mental health research institutes indicates the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social restrictions are having a greater impact on mental health Read more about Call for urgent action as COVID-19 mental health crisis exposed

Sleeping more but maybe not as well: two studies reveal new sleep habits during lockdown

Publicly released: Fri 12 Jun 2020 at 0836 AEST, 1036 NZST

Current Biology

Two studies investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on sleeping patterns in North America and Europe. ... Understanding factors underlying the changes could help inform public health recommendations Read more about Sleeping more but maybe not as well: two studies reveal new sleep habits during lockdown

Only one in three COVID-19 research authors are women

Publicly released: Fri 12 Jun 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

BMJ Global Health

Women account for about a third of all authors who published papers related to COVID-19 since the beginning of the outbreak in January 2020, according to new research published in ... The team overall Read more about Only one in three COVID-19 research authors are women

Watch out for winter: COVID-19 may spread like a seasonal respiratory disease

Publicly released: Fri 12 Jun 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

US and Iranian scientists say patterns of COVID-19 contagion around the world as of March 10th 2020 suggest it may be a seasonal disease. ... The pattern is consistent with a seasonal respiratory virus, Read more about Watch out for winter: COVID-19 may spread like a seasonal respiratory disease

Re-design mental health resources post-pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 12 Jun 2020 at 0000 AEST, 0200 NZST

A group of New Zealand mental health experts argues that the Government should urgently re-design mental health resources in the wake of the stresses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ... incorporating te Read more about Re-design mental health resources post-pandemic

A post-pandemic world: will populations be on the move? Study shows contagions could be catalysts for mass migration

Publicly released: Thu 11 Jun 2020 at 1459 AEST, 1659 NZST

Scientific Reports

Could the world soon be on the move again in the wake of COVID-19? ... Theoretical modelling by the University of Sydney's Centre for Complex Systems has shown that populations typically disperse Read more about A post-pandemic world: will populations be on the move? Study shows contagions could be catalysts for mass migration

PPE and safety training for medical staff prevent COVID-19 infection

Publicly released: Thu 11 Jun 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

Despite being at high risk of exposure to COVID-19, frontline healthcare professionals who were appropriately protected did not contract infection or develop protective immunity against the virus, Read more about PPE and safety training for medical staff prevent COVID-19 infection

EXPERT REACTION: Pre-print indicates potential earlier start to COVID-19 in China

Publicly released: Wed 10 Jun 2020 at 1601 AEST, 1801 NZST

The research looked at satellite data of hospital car parks in Wuhan and internet search terms related to COVID-19 symptoms finding activity spikes for both as early as August last ... year. However the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Pre-print indicates potential earlier start to COVID-19 in China

The need for speed: policy paper looks at digital contact tracing solutions

Publicly released: Wed 10 Jun 2020 at 1432 AEST, 1632 NZST

Contact tracing has emerged as an important public health strategy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but it needs to occur at exceptional speed to control transmission. ... New Zealand and Australian Read more about The need for speed: policy paper looks at digital contact tracing solutions

EXPERT REACTION: Is this the right time to allow mass gatherings in Australia?

Publicly released: Wed 10 Jun 2020 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

With calls to allow mass gatherings following large protests across Australia over the weekend - and the announcement that a crowd of 2240 is set to attend an AFL match in Adelaide ... on Saturday - is it Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Is this the right time to allow mass gatherings in Australia?

Flexible work: likely or lip service beyond pandemic?

Publicly released: Wed 10 Jun 2020 at 1035 AEST, 1235 NZST

Flexible work has always been a drawcard for employees, but while managers have typically been reluctant to embrace flexible work arrangements, University of South Australia researchers warn that the Read more about Flexible work: likely or lip service beyond pandemic?

Widespread mask wearing helps safely exit lockdown - modelling

Publicly released: Wed 10 Jun 2020 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical and Physical Sciences

A UK study modelled the effectiveness of facemasks in reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. ... possible. The study authors say the key message from their analyses is, “my mask protects you, your mask Read more about Widespread mask wearing helps safely exit lockdown - modelling

Europe's COVID-19 lockdowns may have saved more than 3 million lives

Publicly released: Tue 9 Jun 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

Nature

Large-scale lockdowns in Europe have been successful in reducing the transmission levels of SARS-CoV-2 enough to control the epidemic growth, according to a modelling study based on data ... sanctions on Read more about Europe's COVID-19 lockdowns may have saved more than 3 million lives

More than half of pregnant women in UK hospitals with COVID-19 are from black or other ethnic minority groups

Publicly released: Tue 9 Jun 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

More than half of the pregnant women recently admitted to a UK hospital with COVID-19 were from black or other ethnic minority groups, according to UK researchers. ... Fortunately, most women had good Read more about More than half of pregnant women in UK hospitals with COVID-19 are from black or other ethnic minority groups

Assessing the effects of government policies to stop the spread of COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 9 Jun 2020 at 0820 AEST, 1020 NZST

Nature

An international research team, which included a New Zealand economist, looked at how policies meant to stop the spread of COVID-19 in six countries made an impact compared to doing ... The team analysed Read more about Assessing the effects of government policies to stop the spread of COVID-19

Impressive result for mental health therapy

Publicly released: Mon 8 Jun 2020 at 0800 AEST, 1000 NZST

Journal of Mental Health

As Australia looks for the most efficient assessment and treatment of mental health in the era of COVID-19 lockdowns and disruptions, the outcomes of a national trail, published by Flinders Read more about Impressive result for mental health therapy

Global COVID lockdowns may slash $30 trillion from world economy but a rapid lift could cost us dearly

Publicly released: Fri 5 Jun 2020 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

Nature Human Behaviour

International research on global supply chains has modelled the economic impact of global lockdowns from COVID-19 and found a 2 month lockdown of around 80 per cent can slash global ... lockdowns. The Read more about Global COVID lockdowns may slash $30 trillion from world economy but a rapid lift could cost us dearly