Resources for Journalists

Babies born preterm decreased slightly and stillborn rates unchanged during first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns

Publicly released: Tue 28 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Human Behavior

Babies born preterm decreased and stillborn rates remained unchanged during the first four months of COVID-19 lockdowns, according to a largescale international study. ... Research at a Glance: A Read more about Babies born preterm decreased slightly and stillborn rates unchanged during first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns

Myocarditis and pericarditis after Pfizer vaccination could be rarer in younger teens

Publicly released: Tue 28 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

The rate of teens who experience rare heart conditions myocarditis or pericarditis after receiving a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine could be lower in younger teens compared to those nearing adulthood, Read more about Myocarditis and pericarditis after Pfizer vaccination could be rarer in younger teens

Going viral: Visual communication in the era of COVID-19 and social media

Publicly released: Mon 27 Feb 2023 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

Frontiers

That’s because of the virus’ incubation period – the ‘lag’ between people being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and developing the symptoms of Covid-19. ... When more infectious and immune Read more about Going viral: Visual communication in the era of COVID-19 and social media

Simplified HIV treatment options just as effective

Publicly released: Thu 23 Feb 2023 at 0815 AEDT, 1015 NZDT

Conference of Opportunistic Infections

Understanding the pros and cons of different treatment approaches is important to guide decision making. ... The Kirby Institute has a large clinical network and participating sites have done an immense Read more about Simplified HIV treatment options just as effective

Celebrity tweets swayed negative public opinion about COVID-19 in the USA

Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

BMJ Health & Care Informatics

People have increasingly turned to social media networks to share their thoughts and feelings on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, note the researchers. ... And the consistent emotional content Read more about Celebrity tweets swayed negative public opinion about COVID-19 in the USA

Women may avoid chronic illness with a little help from their friends

Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

General Psychiatry

Lockdowns during COVID-19 have shown the importance of social connection to health, yet global health strategies don’t include it as a risk factor for chronic disease. ... The research was conducted as Read more about Women may avoid chronic illness with a little help from their friends

Possible COVID-19 blood clot connection revealed

Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

Cell Reports Medicine

The vaccines are alike in the sense that they induce the immune system to recognise and protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but they differ in how this is achieved. ... The Pfizer vaccine uses mRNA Read more about Possible COVID-19 blood clot connection revealed

Aussies who inject drugs hesitant about COVID-19 jabs

Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

The team recruited about 900 people who inject drugs for interviews about their views on COVID-19 vaccination. ... They say those who were vaccine hesitant were likely to express a lack of trust in the Read more about Aussies who inject drugs hesitant about COVID-19 jabs

Most babies born to mothers with COVID-19 separated after birth resulting in low breastfeeding rates

Publicly released: Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

eClinicalMedicine

The study, published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine, involved 692 babies born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 in 13 neonatal intensive care units across 10 countries, including Brazil, France, Italy Read more about Most babies born to mothers with COVID-19 separated after birth resulting in low breastfeeding rates

COVID-19’s impact on Aussie family life confirms importance of social networks

Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 1350 AEDT, 1550 NZDT

Journal of Family Issues

The study results tell us if we want to prepare, as a society, for the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and prepare for future issues and pandemics, we need to focus ... Victoria experienced one of the Read more about COVID-19’s impact on Aussie family life confirms importance of social networks

Some pregnant Māori and Pacific women getting insufficient info on vaccines from healthcare providers

Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 1139 AEDT, 1339 NZDT

Midwifery

NZ health authorities recommend pregnant people are vaccinated against flu, whooping cough, and COVID-19, yet less than half of all pregnant women in NZ are vaccinated, and there’s even ... Overall, Read more about Some pregnant Māori and Pacific women getting insufficient info on vaccines from healthcare providers

The maximum safe dose of ivermectin still doesn't help treat COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 1015 AEDT, 1215 NZDT

JAMA

Taking the highest possible safe dose of ivermectin does not help treat mild to moderate COVID-19, according to international research. ... The researchers randomly assigned 600 people with mild to Read more about The maximum safe dose of ivermectin still doesn't help treat COVID-19

How frequently should we be updating our COVID-19 vaccines?

Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Medicine

The current challenge with COVID-19 vaccines is that they were developed based on the first strain of the virus in 2020, which is quite different to what is currently circulating,” ... Whilst the Read more about How frequently should we be updating our COVID-19 vaccines?

EXPERT REACTION: One in five kids and teens struggle with disordered eating

Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

The proportion was further elevated among girls, as well as with increasing age and body mass index. ... These high figures are concerning from a public health perspective and highlight the need to Read more about EXPERT REACTION: One in five kids and teens struggle with disordered eating

EXPERT REACTION: Stem cell transplant sends another HIV patient into remission

Publicly released: Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Medicine: Sustained HIV-1 remission after stem cell transplantationA recipient of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant to treat leukemia has shown persistent suppression of human Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Stem cell transplant sends another HIV patient into remission

Pets create ‘pawsitive’ change for people in aged care

Publicly released: Mon 20 Feb 2023 at 1243 AEDT, 1443 NZDT

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

The great thing about pets is that they can help us feel happier and healthier. ... One of the biggest challenges has been the pandemic. Once COVID-19 hit, access to aged care facilities was extremely Read more about Pets create ‘pawsitive’ change for people in aged care

Global optogenetics experts share big developments

Publicly released: Mon 20 Feb 2023 at 1005 AEDT, 1205 NZDT

This meeting marks the first opportunity these experts have met in person since the outbreak of COVID-19, and much has happened rapidly in optogenetics through this period. ... This meeting is designed to Read more about Global optogenetics experts share big developments

The AusSMC's Lyndal Byford is this year's Unsung Hero of Science Communication!

Publicly released: Fri 17 Feb 2023 at 1509 AEDT, 1709 NZDT

Ms Byford has been instrumental in the accurate reporting of COVID-19 science during the pandemic, facilitating expert comment in over 80,000 news stories in Australia and overseas. ... Through her Read more about The AusSMC's Lyndal Byford is this year's Unsung Hero of Science Communication!

EXPERT REACTION: How well does a prior COVID-19 infection protect you the next time around?

Publicly released: Fri 17 Feb 2023 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

compiled the largest review and meta-analysis of infection-acquired COVID-19 immunity to date. ... As SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology shifts to more stable circulation patterns in the context of high levels of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: How well does a prior COVID-19 infection protect you the next time around?

Possible alternative to using shark compound for vaccines

Publicly released: Fri 17 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

npj Vaccines

Shark-derived squalene has been used in vaccine adjuvant formulations (substances that are used to increase the efficacy or potency of some vaccines) in influenza and COVID-19 vaccines and is Read more about Possible alternative to using shark compound for vaccines