Resources for Journalists

COVID-19 jabs for kids reduce risk of death, regardless of variant

Publicly released: Fri 2 Dec 2022 at 0700 AEDT, 0900 NZDT

The BMJ

Vaccine effectiveness against death related to covid-19 infection during the omicron period was 67% in children and 98% in adolescents. ... As such, the researchers say that vaccination is effective in Read more about COVID-19 jabs for kids reduce risk of death, regardless of variant

Glasses don't really help protect you from COVID-19 - but maybe they can't hurt

Publicly released: Fri 2 Dec 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Wearing glasses doesn't appear to help protect people against COVID-19 according to a small clinical trial in Norway, but the authors say sliding on the sunnies might not be ... They found that the Read more about Glasses don't really help protect you from COVID-19 - but maybe they can't hurt

Australia now spends more on mental health and substance use disorders than we do on injuries

Publicly released: Fri 2 Dec 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

3 billion) and cardiovascular diseases ($1. 9 billion). For the first time, the report contains initial figures on spending attributed to treating patients with COVID-19 in the first few months Read more about Australia now spends more on mental health and substance use disorders than we do on injuries

NEWS BRIEFING: Sneaky superbugs - Scientists find a new way bacteria can beat our antibiotics

Publicly released: Wed 30 Nov 2022 at 2100 AEDT, 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

This makes the antibiotic ineffective and the infection would likely worsen when the patient should be getting better. ... AMR is a silent pandemic of much greater risk to society than COVID-19 – in Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Sneaky superbugs - Scientists find a new way bacteria can beat our antibiotics

Which teens are more prone to Long COVID?

Publicly released: Wed 30 Nov 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

The team tested 1,034 children for evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. ... Idris Guessous and colleagues tested 1,034 children for evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more about Which teens are more prone to Long COVID?

Severe COVID-19 risk elevated by high triglyceride level

Publicly released: Tue 29 Nov 2022 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

Cell Reports

An analysis based on thousands of human genomes by QUT researchers found shared genetic factors that contribute to the risk of severe COVID-19 and blood analyte (component) levels, suggesting new Read more about Severe COVID-19 risk elevated by high triglyceride level

Health care that works for Māori: What will it take?

Publicly released: Mon 28 Nov 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

Kaupapa Māori and Whānau Ora providers are agile and innovative, and have successfully demonstrated, most recently during COVID-19, their expertise and capacity to deliver relational, ... The research Read more about Health care that works for Māori: What will it take?

Rats are eating bait meant for feral cats on Rakiura Stewart Island

Publicly released: Mon 28 Nov 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

The 19-paper issue on the restoration of New Zealand subantarctic islands also documents previously unpublished research and history of the successful eradication of six introduced mammal species Read more about Rats are eating bait meant for feral cats on Rakiura Stewart Island

Can NZ clear its last sub-Antarctic island of pests?

Publicly released: Mon 28 Nov 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

The 19-paper issue on the restoration of New Zealand subantarctic islands also documents previously unpublished research and history of the successful eradication of six introduced mammal species Read more about Can NZ clear its last sub-Antarctic island of pests?

Pest eradication success stories from subantarctic New Zealand

Publicly released: Mon 28 Nov 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

The 19-paper issue on the restoration of New Zealand subantarctic islands also documents previously unpublished research and history of the successful eradication of six introduced mammal species Read more about Pest eradication success stories from subantarctic New Zealand

Positive social-emotional environments in schools boosts student’s mental health

Publicly released: Mon 28 Nov 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

BMC Public Health

The review was undertaken in partnership with a group of youth advisors from Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. ... Depression and anxiety affects about one in four young people, with evidence of Read more about Positive social-emotional environments in schools boosts student’s mental health

Outdoor injuries on the rise as Aussies head into summer

Publicly released: Fri 25 Nov 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

It found that overall there were around 1,600 injury-related hospitalisations every day, a 7% increase from 1,500 a day in 2018–19 prior to COVID. ... This is likely due to increases in outdoor activity Read more about Outdoor injuries on the rise as Aussies head into summer

Moderna's Omicron specific booster may help protect us against emerging COVID variants

Publicly released: Thu 24 Nov 2022 at 1308 AEDT, 1508 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

The Moderna bivalent vaccine, which contains both omicron specific and original vaccine mRNA, was able to generate a potent antibody response against the BA. ... The authors say this suggests these Read more about Moderna's Omicron specific booster may help protect us against emerging COVID variants

Grandchildren and volunteer work could combat loneliness in over 50s

Publicly released: Thu 24 Nov 2022 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Aging and Mental Health

The paper highlights that all of the studies included in this review were conducted in higher income countries and before the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to an increase in the ... pandemics, lockdowns, Read more about Grandchildren and volunteer work could combat loneliness in over 50s

COVID hospitalisation may be cut by a quarter with community testing

Publicly released: Thu 24 Nov 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Transmission of the covid-19 virus by people without symptoms has been a major challenge in controlling the pandemic. ... These latest findings show that large scale voluntary community testing for Read more about COVID hospitalisation may be cut by a quarter with community testing

The stigma is real for people living with long COVID

Publicly released: Thu 24 Nov 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

The study also looked at the types of stigma people experience and found that around 63% had overt experiences of being treated unfairly due to long COVID, while 86% reported feelings ... The authors say Read more about The stigma is real for people living with long COVID

If you've had COVID-19 a vaccine can still help stop you getting it again

Publicly released: Wed 23 Nov 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

COVID-19 vaccine gives substantial protection against reinfection Protection was greatest during the Delta wave, but decreased against the Omicron variant Individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV Read more about If you've had COVID-19 a vaccine can still help stop you getting it again

Rapid growth in government health spending during the pandemic

Publicly released: Wed 23 Nov 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

9 billion during 2020–21 – the second year (first full year) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, according to a new report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare ... 7 billion by state Read more about Rapid growth in government health spending during the pandemic

News about vaccine-related deaths caused more people to report side-effects

Publicly released: Mon 21 Nov 2022 at 1437 AEDT, 1637 NZDT

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Local media reporting on vaccine-related deaths may have convinced many New Zealanders that they were experiencing side-effects from the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. ... rate increased by up to 190% following Read more about News about vaccine-related deaths caused more people to report side-effects

Can GPs help lift flagging COVID-19 vaccination rates in kids?

Publicly released: Mon 21 Nov 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

General practice is the ideal setting to promote childhood COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in Australia,” they wrote. ... when relevant) to support tailored but consistent messaging about the Read more about Can GPs help lift flagging COVID-19 vaccination rates in kids?