Resources for Journalists

National action needed to fast-track life-saving discoveries and back evidence-based healthcare

Publicly released: Thu 13 Oct 2022 at 1045 AEDT, 1245 NZDT

The rapid development of COVID vaccines has saved thousands of lives in Australia and many millions around the world. ... In response to COVID it rapidly scaled up and guided clinicians worldwide on the Read more about National action needed to fast-track life-saving discoveries and back evidence-based healthcare

Working from home usually boosts productivity, but less so during the pandemic

Publicly released: Thu 13 Oct 2022 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Working from home can often boost productivity but this was less likely to be the case during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a review by Australian and international researchers. ... The team chose Read more about Working from home usually boosts productivity, but less so during the pandemic

Lockdowns may have impeded pandemic babies’ social skills

Publicly released: Wed 12 Oct 2022 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

Archives of Disease in Childhood

The enforced isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns may have impeded the social communication skills of babies born during these periods, according to Irish scientists. ... Before the advent Read more about Lockdowns may have impeded pandemic babies’ social skills

How common is Long COVID?

Publicly released: Tue 11 Oct 2022 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

JAMA

2 million individuals (from 22 countries) who had symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2020 and 2021 and survived the acute phase, an estimated 6. ... onset. The risk of Long COVID was greater in females Read more about How common is Long COVID?

EXPERT REACTION: What do Omicron-specific vaccines mean for Australia's COVID-19 immunity?

Publicly released: Mon 10 Oct 2022 at 1630 AEDT, 1830 NZDT

This week, the first COVID-19 vaccines designed to target Omicron are being rolled out in Australia. ... The vaccine, from Moderna, comprises mRNA from the original COVID-19 variant as well as Omicron BA. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: What do Omicron-specific vaccines mean for Australia's COVID-19 immunity?

How do we reduce the global stigma around mental health?

Publicly released: Mon 10 Oct 2022 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

The Lancet Commissions

Experts say we know how to end stigma and discrimination in mental health and, with the global rise in rates of mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is ... 7]Co-author Charlene Read more about How do we reduce the global stigma around mental health?

Fatigued Aussies face a 'perfect storm' of climate change-fuelled disasters

Publicly released: Mon 10 Oct 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)

Tragically, 34 people died, and the losses of $1. 9 billion in insurance claims exceeded the Black Saturday fires of 2009. ... To 12 September 2022, Australia has reported 10 112 229 confirmed cases of Read more about Fatigued Aussies face a 'perfect storm' of climate change-fuelled disasters

COVID-19 vaccines could save the lives of patients who require intubation

Publicly released: Sat 8 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Vaccinated people who require intubation for COVID-19 may have a higher chance of survival than unvaccinated people who require intubation, according to a small international study. ... The team looked at Read more about COVID-19 vaccines could save the lives of patients who require intubation

Voice screening App delivers rapid results for Parkinson’s and severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 6 Oct 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine

A new screening test App could help advance the early detection of Parkinson’s disease and severe COVID-19, improving the management of these illnesses. ... Voice Features of Sustained Phoneme as Read more about Voice screening App delivers rapid results for Parkinson’s and severe COVID-19

Providing the data needed to stop monkeypox in its TraX

Publicly released: Wed 5 Oct 2022 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

We know that the community is very concerned about MPX and are eager to do whatever they can to protect themselves and others from the virus,” says Mr Heath Paynter from ... says. “Our recent Read more about Providing the data needed to stop monkeypox in its TraX

Higher scrutiny of COVID-19 research likely causing more retractions, but not for misconduct

Publicly released: Wed 5 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The review found that retracted COVID-19 studies had more experienced first and last authors, and were more likely to be retracted for non-misconduct-related concerns. ... The researchers say this may Read more about Higher scrutiny of COVID-19 research likely causing more retractions, but not for misconduct

Can time-restricted eating, HIIT, or a combo of both help heart health?

Publicly released: Wed 5 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

Cell Metabolism

The exercise sessions were supervised by the investigators, and the participants were asked to log their first and last calories every day. ... The study also took place during COVID-19 lockdowns, which Read more about Can time-restricted eating, HIIT, or a combo of both help heart health?

How sport helped boys during COVID-19’s first wave

Publicly released: Tue 4 Oct 2022 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

Youth & Society

Boys involved in team sports during the COVID-19 pandemic have reported better general, physical and mental health than girls who also played sport, according to new research by Flinders University. Read more about How sport helped boys during COVID-19’s first wave

COVID-19 vaccines do not affect pregnancy outcomes

Publicly released: Tue 4 Oct 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

The findings show COVID-19 vaccination is safe and beneficial for pregnant people, who should be encouraged to have COVID-19 jabs, the authors conclude. ... COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was Read more about COVID-19 vaccines do not affect pregnancy outcomes

Depression more than doubles in Aussie teen girls over the last 14 years

Publicly released: Tue 4 Oct 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

There are also worrying signs of an increase in depressive symptoms in children since the COVID-19 pandemic,” warns Professor Sam Harvey, Executive Director and Chief Scientist of the Black Dog Read more about Depression more than doubles in Aussie teen girls over the last 14 years

Sustained training key to support health services to cope with challenges

Publicly released: Mon 3 Oct 2022 at 0913 AEDT, 1113 NZDT

PLOS Global Public Health

New research shows health systems can cope better with unprecedented challenges like COVID-19, through sustained staff training and support. ... High COVID-19 case numbers had devastating impacts on TB Read more about Sustained training key to support health services to cope with challenges

EXPERT REACTION: Mandatory COVID-19 isolation to be dropped

Publicly released: Fri 30 Sep 2022 at 1330 AEST, 1630 NZDT

From October 14, Australians will no longer have to isolate after testing positive for COVID-19. ... The chief medical officer Paul Kelly says the decision marks the likely end of the emergency pandemic Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Mandatory COVID-19 isolation to be dropped

Young Australians face lifetime of labour change

Publicly released: Fri 30 Sep 2022 at 1200 AEST, 1500 NZDT

Journal of Youth Studies

Associate Professor Cedulla adds the COVID-19 pandemic has presented the latest challenges to regular work and employment, following a period of rapid change which emerged in the 1970s and 1980s Read more about Young Australians face lifetime of labour change

How COVID-19 damages the heart

Publicly released: Fri 30 Sep 2022 at 1100 AEST, 1400 NZDT

Immunology

UQ Diamantina Institute researcher Dr Arutha Kulasinghe said the team found while COVID-19 and influenza are both severe respiratory viruses, they appeared to affect cardiac tissue very differently. Read more about How COVID-19 damages the heart

Did the pandemic change our personalities?

Publicly released: Thu 29 Sep 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0700 NZDT

PLOS One

If these changes persist, the authors suggest that collectively stressful events like the COVID-19 pandemic could slightly bend the trajectory of some of our personalities. ... Despite a long-standing Read more about Did the pandemic change our personalities?