Resources for Journalists

Three case studies find COVID-19 worsens in women after giving birth

Publicly released: Wed 6 May 2020 at 2000 AEST, 2200 NZST

CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

All the babies tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the three women recovered from their infection. ... The authors suggest that hospitals consider a delay in discharging women with SARS-CoV-2 Read more about Three case studies find COVID-19 worsens in women after giving birth

Blueprint to protect the mental health of frontline medical workers

Publicly released: Wed 6 May 2020 at 1001 AEST, 1201 NZST

The BMJ

University of Queensland researchers have developed a set of recommendations to manage the mental health of frontline medical workers during viral outbreaks, such as COVID-19. Read more about Blueprint to protect the mental health of frontline medical workers

Safely relaxing social distancing comes down to numbers

Publicly released: Wed 6 May 2020 at 0800 AEST, 1000 NZST

The BMJ

Your house number could be the key to the safe relaxation of COVID-19-related restrictions if governments follow a new exit strategy proposal published today in the British Medical Journal. Read more about Safely relaxing social distancing comes down to numbers

NEWS BRIEFING: Treating serious COVID-19 cases with antibodies from recovered donors

Publicly released: Wed 6 May 2020 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

CSL will begin immediate development of an anti-SARS-CoV-2 plasma product with the potential to treat people with serious complications of COVID-19, particularly those whose illness is ... The Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Treating serious COVID-19 cases with antibodies from recovered donors

New Scimex story labels to help you assess research in the COVID-19 era

Publicly released: Tue 5 May 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

COVID-19 has led to a flood of misinformation in the media and on social channels, and the early release of huge numbers of research papers. ... To help tackle these issues, the Australian and NZ Science Read more about New Scimex story labels to help you assess research in the COVID-19 era

Human antibody that can beat coronavirus in the lab

Publicly released: Tue 5 May 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

Nature Communications

A human antibody has been found that can reduce the infectivity of the virus that causes COVID-19 in cells in a lab, raising hope that it could potentially help in ... The antibody was found to work Read more about Human antibody that can beat coronavirus in the lab

BACKGROUND BRIEFING: What's next for COVID-19? Ask an immunologist

Publicly released: Tue 5 May 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

As Australia begins to loosen recent COVID-19 restrictions, questions still remain about how we move forward from the pandemic. ... Ask these questions and more by joining us for our new style of Read more about BACKGROUND BRIEFING: What's next for COVID-19? Ask an immunologist

There's a financial incentive to becoming self sufficient - if it's done right

Publicly released: Tue 5 May 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

PLOS One

Covid-19 has sparked a rush to establish home gardens and a desire for self-sufficiency, but how successful are these ‘grow your own’ attempts and is there a risk that Read more about There's a financial incentive to becoming self sufficient - if it's done right

How travel bans helped stop the spread of COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 5 May 2020 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering

Millions more people across the EU could have contracted COVID-19 had strict international travel bans not been implemented, according to new computer modelling. ... The authors say the results suggest Read more about How travel bans helped stop the spread of COVID-19

Australia’s BCG vaccine trial for COVID-19 goes overseas thanks to Bill and Melinda Gates

Publicly released: Tue 5 May 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s (MCRI) clinical trial of the BCG vaccine to help combat COVID-19 will be extended to 10,000 healthcare workers across Australia, Spain and ... The trial Read more about Australia’s BCG vaccine trial for COVID-19 goes overseas thanks to Bill and Melinda Gates

Big shooting star show set to light up our self-iso lives

Publicly released: Mon 4 May 2020 at 1056 AEST, 1256 NZST

Shooting stars will provide a little bit of joy to all Australians over the coming days while we stay at home to stop the spread of COVID-19, according to astronomer ... Dr Brad Tucker from The Read more about Big shooting star show set to light up our self-iso lives

How to get people to work together to fight COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 1 May 2020 at 1430 AEST, 1630 NZST

Nature Human Behaviour

Social and behavioural sciences can help us get the most out of the COVID-19 regulations, according to Aussie and international researchers who have listed some recommendations for different stages Read more about How to get people to work together to fight COVID-19

Single case links COVID-19 to miscarriage in pregnancy

Publicly released: Fri 1 May 2020 at 1300 AEST, 1500 NZST

JAMA

A case of miscarriage during the second trimester of pregnancy in a woman with COVID-19 appears related to the presence of virus within the placenta, according to a Swiss case ... study. The study found Read more about Single case links COVID-19 to miscarriage in pregnancy

Australia’s national COVID-19 primary care response

Publicly released: Fri 1 May 2020 at 1230 AEST, 1430 NZST

MJA

Australia’s investment in the primary care response to COVID-19 is enabling effective frontline care while mitigating spread, and protecting the ongoing health of the nation’s most vulnerable Read more about Australia’s national COVID-19 primary care response

Lessons from the past to help the present pandemic response

Publicly released: Fri 1 May 2020 at 1215 AEST, 1415 NZST

Nature Human Behaviour

An international team of experts has outlined ways to manage life during the COVID-19 pandemic, using existing research from the social and behavioural sciences. ... Two University of Queensland Read more about Lessons from the past to help the present pandemic response

Suppress, release and restore: the three steps to getting out of COVID-19 lockdown

Publicly released: Fri 1 May 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

MJA

Australian experts have outlined the three stages of getting us out of lockdown for COVID-19. ... We are currently in the suppress phase of the plan and the release phase focuses on prioritising economic Read more about Suppress, release and restore: the three steps to getting out of COVID-19 lockdown

Transforming tourism during a pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 1 May 2020 at 0732 AEST, 0932 NZST

Tourism Geographies

An international team of researchers, including a New Zealander, has reviewed the scientific literature on crises to help identify factors that will affect global tourism and destination recovery Read more about Transforming tourism during a pandemic

Old drugs may have new tricks: Existing drugs could help fight COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 30 Apr 2020 at 2300 AEST, 0100 NZST

Nature

CoV-2 virus interacts with human proteins to cause the disease COVID-19. ... The researchers went on to test 47 of these compounds to identify two groups that had antiviral activity in laboratory Read more about Old drugs may have new tricks: Existing drugs could help fight COVID-19

Consulting Indigenous Aussies meant early change and action on COVID19

Publicly released: Thu 30 Apr 2020 at 1630 AEST, 1830 NZST

MJA

In response to COVID-19, members of an Indigenous advisory group have helped to develop strategies to identify issues, setting priorities and suggesting solutions for culturally informed strategies, Read more about Consulting Indigenous Aussies meant early change and action on COVID19

Is your handwashing up to scratch?

Publicly released: Thu 30 Apr 2020 at 1500 AEST, 1700 NZST

‘Wash your hands’ is a key public health message to avoid COVID-19 infection. ... But how do we know we are washing them well enough to remove the virus? Read more about Is your handwashing up to scratch?