Resources for Journalists

EXPERT REACTION: How common is asymptomatic COVID-19?

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

Thorax

Two papers published today highlight the asymptomatic nature of COVID-19. In a JAMA Network Open paper, researchers highlight that in a study of 78 patients, 42. ... tested positive for COVID-19 had no Read more about EXPERT REACTION: How common is asymptomatic COVID-19?

What sort of people tend not to show symptoms with COVID19?

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

People with COVID19 who don't show symptoms, tend to be younger, are more likely to be women, and have indications they experience less damage to their immune systems than symptomatic ... The study Read more about What sort of people tend not to show symptoms with COVID19?

Pandemic hits programmers’ productivity and wellbeing

Publicly released: Wed 27 May 2020 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

arXiv

Software developers are finding their productivity and wellbeing has been hit as a result of COVID-19. ... But employers shouldn’t make decisions, such as to promote or lay them off, based on Read more about Pandemic hits programmers’ productivity and wellbeing

Preparing for a COVID-19 vaccine roll-out

Publicly released: Wed 27 May 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

As the world waits for a COVID-19 vaccine, Perth researchers are getting one step ahead – embarking on a new study designed to prepare parents and government for a potential ... Funded thanks to Read more about Preparing for a COVID-19 vaccine roll-out

EXPERT REACTION: WHO suspends hydroxychloroquine trial amid safety fears

Publicly released: Tue 26 May 2020 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

The World Health Organization has announced it will temporarily suspend a trial into anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 due to safety concerns. ... were no benefits to treating Read more about EXPERT REACTION: WHO suspends hydroxychloroquine trial amid safety fears

Could public transport fail to return to 'normal'? Expert available

Publicly released: Tue 26 May 2020 at 1230 AEST, 1430 NZST

N/A

Professor David Levinson from the Faculty of Engineering’s School of Civil Engineering is an expert in transport engineering and is available to comment on the effects of the COVID-19 Read more about Could public transport fail to return to 'normal'? Expert available

Gig economy may hold some hope for jobs in age of COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 26 May 2020 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

With more than 100 digital platforms operating in Australia, the gig economy could offer a lifeline to some who have lost their regular jobs due to COVID-19. ... But it won't suit everyone and may even Read more about Gig economy may hold some hope for jobs in age of COVID-19

Antiviral drug may cut COVID-19 recovery time, reduce death rate

Publicly released: Tue 26 May 2020 at 0956 AEST, 1156 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

Preliminary results from a thousand-patient trial of the antiviral drug remdesivir has found it shortened the time to recovery in adults hospitalized with COVID-19. ... These results were used to inform Read more about Antiviral drug may cut COVID-19 recovery time, reduce death rate

First published COVID-19 vaccine study promising

Publicly released: Mon 25 May 2020 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

The Lancet

Within a month of getting the Ad5 vectored COVID-19 jab, most of the 108 participants saw a four-fold increase in binding antibodies, and a rapid T cell response. ... that the vaccine will protect humans Read more about First published COVID-19 vaccine study promising

RETRACTED: Trump’s ‘game-changer’ COVID-19 drug may increase risk of death

Publicly released: Mon 25 May 2020 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

The Lancet

[This study has been retracted by the authors. ] A study has found use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine is linked to increased rates of mortality and serious heart problems among hospital Read more about RETRACTED: Trump’s ‘game-changer’ COVID-19 drug may increase risk of death

COVID-19 recovery can benefit biodiversity

Publicly released: Mon 25 May 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

Science

Griffith University researchers outline how the COVID-19 pandemic provides governments across the globe with an opportunity to correct our environmental trajectory and deliver a shot in the arm for Read more about COVID-19 recovery can benefit biodiversity

10 reasons 'immunity passports' may not work

Publicly released: Fri 22 May 2020 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Nature

'Immunity passports’ - certificates issued to people who have had COVID-19 and are presumed immune to the disease - would cause more problems than they solve, according to a 'Comment' article by Read more about 10 reasons 'immunity passports' may not work

Having had SARS unlikely to help protect you against COVID-19, cell study suggests

Publicly released: Fri 22 May 2020 at 1330 AEST, 1530 NZST

Cell Reports

Antibodies from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) bind to to SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, but are unable to offer any immunity, say international researchers who Read more about Having had SARS unlikely to help protect you against COVID-19, cell study suggests

Key stats found in tracing COVID-19's spread in NZ

Publicly released: Fri 22 May 2020 at 1106 AEST, 1306 NZST

A key measure of the transmission potential for COVID-19 is the effective reproduction number, the average number of people infected by someone who has the disease. ... Researchers at Te Pūnaha Read more about Key stats found in tracing COVID-19's spread in NZ

Our boozy lockdown habits could come back to bite us

Publicly released: Fri 22 May 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

The BMJ

Our drinking habits will need to be taken into consideration as nations recover from the pandemic, according to UK experts who are concerned about the long-term health impacts of alcohol ... for a Read more about Our boozy lockdown habits could come back to bite us

Smokers may open a cellular doorway to SARS-CoV-2

Publicly released: Fri 22 May 2020 at 1047 AEST, 1247 NZST

Developmental Cell

Previous research has found that smokers are more likely to have complications from a COVID-19 infection, and a new study from the US says it's likely because smoking causes ... The protein, ACE2, is Read more about Smokers may open a cellular doorway to SARS-CoV-2

Fact sheet provides snapshot of ongoing health and economic risks caused by COVID-19 in Australia

Publicly released: Fri 22 May 2020 at 0900 AEST, 1100 NZST

A fact sheet on COVID-19 and the demographic distribution of health and economic risks, released by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), provides a current snapshot Read more about Fact sheet provides snapshot of ongoing health and economic risks caused by COVID-19 in Australia

Quantifying China’s chronic health burden for the first time

Publicly released: Fri 22 May 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The Lancet Global Health

University of Melbourne researchers have quantified the toll that having multiple chronic diseases takes in China for the first time, which could have significant implications for its economic and Read more about Quantifying China’s chronic health burden for the first time

Shutdown gives scientists unique opportunity to study Hobart air quality using RV Investigator

Publicly released: Fri 22 May 2020 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

Scientists are making the most of having CSIRO research vessel Investigator in port during the COVID-19 shutdown by using the ship’s instruments to collect valuable data about Hobart’s Read more about Shutdown gives scientists unique opportunity to study Hobart air quality using RV Investigator

Identifying which interventions work best in a pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 22 May 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Science

Behavioural interventions, such as handwashing, mask-wearing and social distancing, are being used around the world to reduce the spread of COVID-19. ... They argue that if policy-makers combine insights Read more about Identifying which interventions work best in a pandemic