Resources for Journalists

Obese kids may be more likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms

Publicly released: Fri 5 Jun 2020 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics / JAMA Network Open

A study of 50 cases of kids hospitalised with COVID-19 in the US suggests being obese may put kids at risk of needing ventilation. ... A second, related study from China found that kids with COVID-19 Read more about Obese kids may be more likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms

Can an indigestion drug help people with milder COVID symptoms?

Publicly released: Fri 5 Jun 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

Gut

A widely-available and inexpensive drug that is used to ease the symptoms of indigestion is the latest potential contender to treat COVID-19 infection, after ten people reported their symptoms Read more about Can an indigestion drug help people with milder COVID symptoms?

How well do social-distancing strategies work?

Publicly released: Fri 5 Jun 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

Nature Human Behaviour

As the world starts to back down on COVID-19 lockdown procedures, UK and Swiss researchers have looked at the effectiveness of three of the social-distancing strategies in place and ... They modelled how Read more about How well do social-distancing strategies work?

Australian drug chosen for global trial to treat COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 4 Jun 2020 at 1800 AEST, 2000 NZST

A drug developed by The University of Western Australia’s spinout company Dimerix will be used in a global trial to treat patients who have Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) as ... a result of Read more about Australian drug chosen for global trial to treat COVID-19

Over half of heart attack patients have avoided going to hospital fearing COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 4 Jun 2020 at 1630 AEST, 1830 NZST

European Heart Journal – Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes

The number of heart attack patients seeking urgent hospital care has dropped by more than 50 per cent during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a worldwide survey of over ... It is important to remind Read more about Over half of heart attack patients have avoided going to hospital fearing COVID-19

EXPERT REACTION: WHO restarts hydroxychloroquine trials after study data raises concerns

Publicly released: Thu 4 Jun 2020 at 1214 AEST, 1414 NZST

used in two studies which suggested hydroxychloroquine was associated with a higher mortality rate in Covid-19 patients and increased heart problems. ... The governance committees for the AustralaSian Read more about EXPERT REACTION: WHO restarts hydroxychloroquine trials after study data raises concerns

COVID-19 impact on pre-schooler mental health to be assessed

Publicly released: Thu 4 Jun 2020 at 0900 AEST, 1100 NZST

The mental health of Australian pre-schoolers will be assessed in a survey on how they and their families are coping with coronavirus (COVID-19). Read more about COVID-19 impact on pre-schooler mental health to be assessed

Global Science TV launches 1st episode - Can the world tackle climate change with COVID-19 urgency?

Publicly released: Thu 4 Jun 2020 at 0900 AEST, 1100 NZST

The coronavirus pandemic has proven the world is capable of a global response to address a crisis. ... And can we expect our leaders to pay just as much attention to scientific advice as we emerge from Read more about Global Science TV launches 1st episode - Can the world tackle climate change with COVID-19 urgency?

Australia’s Food Safety Report Card released for UN World Food Safety Day

Publicly released: Thu 4 Jun 2020 at 0800 AEST, 1000 NZST

The good news is that, since the COVID-19 lockdown began in March 2020, reported rates of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections per 100,000 people in Australia have almost halved compared Read more about Australia’s Food Safety Report Card released for UN World Food Safety Day

BACKGROUND BRIEFING: COVID-19 testing - ask an expert

Publicly released: Wed 3 Jun 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

Briefing recording now available With the news this week that a Queensland man returned a false-positive COVID-19 test following his death, questions are being raised as to the accuracy ... How do they Read more about BACKGROUND BRIEFING: COVID-19 testing - ask an expert

Cutting through COVID-19 myths with science communication

Publicly released: Wed 3 Jun 2020 at 0930 AEST, 1130 NZST

Myths and conspiracies surround COVID-19 – so, how can scientists cut through the misinformation? Read more about Cutting through COVID-19 myths with science communication

Surgery appears risky for those with COVID19

Publicly released: Tue 2 Jun 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

The Lancet

Patients with COVID-19 who undergo surgery have a high risk of complications and death, according to international research. ... The study looked at over 1000 patients from 24 countries who were COVID-19 Read more about Surgery appears risky for those with COVID19

COVID-19: by how much do social distancing and masks reduce the risk?

Publicly released: Tue 2 Jun 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet

A UNSW biosecurity expert has featured in a commentary piece in prestigious journal The Lancet, analysing important new WHO-commissioned research. ... A combination of spatial distancing and personal face Read more about COVID-19: by how much do social distancing and masks reduce the risk?

COVID-19 could be a seasonal illness with higher risk in winter

Publicly released: Tue 2 Jun 2020 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

A study conducted in New South Wales during the early epidemic stage of COVID-19 has found an association between lower humidity and an increase in locally acquired positive cases. ... Researchers Read more about COVID-19 could be a seasonal illness with higher risk in winter

Gene edited mice can be infected with coronavirus like people

Publicly released: Fri 29 May 2020 at 1140 AEST, 1340 NZST

Cell Host and Microbe

While the mice had high viral loads in the lungs as expected, coronavirus RNA was also found in brain tissue, and it took a tenfold higher dose of the virus for ... The mice have been gene edited to have Read more about Gene edited mice can be infected with coronavirus like people

Face masks may help stop COVID-19 spreading through families

Publicly released: Fri 29 May 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

BMJ Global Health

Wearing face masks at home may be one way to stop COVID-19 spreading between family members, but only if they are worn before symptoms develop, according to Australian and Chinese ... research. They Read more about Face masks may help stop COVID-19 spreading through families

Baby born to COVID19 positive parents allowed to remain with them.

Publicly released: Fri 29 May 2020 at 0500 AEST, 0700 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Both parents observed strict viral precautions of handwashing and use of surgical masks around their baby and the baby tested negative for COVID19. ... The researchers say to their knowledge this is the Read more about Baby born to COVID19 positive parents allowed to remain with them.

Relaxing social distancing could mean a resurgence of COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1530 AEST, 1730 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Modelling from Ontario in Canada suggests that relaxing physical distancing without increasing other public health measures could result in a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. ... Like Australia, Ontario has Read more about Relaxing social distancing could mean a resurgence of COVID-19

Aussie-made 3D-printed nasal swabs could help address global shortages

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1530 AEST, 1730 NZST

MJA

An Aussie-made 3D-printed nasal swab has been shown to be as effective as commercially available products, and it is hoped that local production of the swabs may help address ... the current global Read more about Aussie-made 3D-printed nasal swabs could help address global shortages

For now, psychology is our best anti-coronavirus tool

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1230 AEST, 1430 NZST

Aside from a vaccine or cure, knowledge of human behaviour and psychology may be the best means of controlling the spread of COVID-19. ... In a new, freely available book, University of Queensland Read more about For now, psychology is our best anti-coronavirus tool