Resources for Journalists

Apps kept us healthy during the pandemic, but it came at a cost

Publicly released: Fri 19 Aug 2022 at 0948 AEST, 1148 NZST

PLOS Digital Health

However, the same technology added to stress and information overload from COVID-19-related news. ... The authors declare no competing interests. Read the paper: ‘The use of mobile apps and fitness Read more about Apps kept us healthy during the pandemic, but it came at a cost

Smoking, drinking and other risk factors cause half of all cancer deaths

Publicly released: Fri 19 Aug 2022 at 0942 AEST, 1142 NZST

The Lancet

3% (14. 6 million in 2010 to 19. 4 million in 2019). ... Results from the GBD 2019 study were estimated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore evaluating its impact on risk-attributable cancer burden Read more about Smoking, drinking and other risk factors cause half of all cancer deaths

Brain and nerve problems can persist for 2 years after COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 18 Aug 2022 at 1520 AEST, 1720 NZST

The Lancet Psychiatry

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been growing evidence that survivors might be at increased risk of neurological and psychiatric conditions. ... Of those with health records in the US-based Read more about Brain and nerve problems can persist for 2 years after COVID-19

How much of an impact do standing desks have in the office?

Publicly released: Thu 18 Aug 2022 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

After a year, the researchers say the standing desk group reduced their sitting time by an average of an hour, and the non-standing desk intervention group reduced their sitting time ... However, she Read more about How much of an impact do standing desks have in the office?

Ivermectin, fluvoxamine and metformin not effective at preventing severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 18 Aug 2022 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

Ivermectin, fluvoxamine and metformin don't appear to significantly reduce the severe outcomes of COVID-19; hypoxemia, emergency department visits, hospitalisation and death, according to ... They say Read more about Ivermectin, fluvoxamine and metformin not effective at preventing severe COVID-19

Pfizer COVID-19 jab effectiveness in teens wanes after a month, but protects against severe disease

Publicly released: Thu 18 Aug 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

South Korean scientists say the effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 jab in teens wanes after a month, but it continues to protect against severe disease. ... Estimated Long-Term Effectiveness Among Read more about Pfizer COVID-19 jab effectiveness in teens wanes after a month, but protects against severe disease

Maternal mental health and well-being profoundly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Wed 17 Aug 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Maternal well-being has been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a third of women experiencing significant mental health problems and ongoing fatigue and parenting stress, according to Read more about Maternal mental health and well-being profoundly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic

Pain is no joke in labour, but withdrawing laughing gas has no ill effects

Publicly released: Tue 16 Aug 2022 at 0840 AEST, 1040 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Women giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic have been denied nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for pain relief due to fears of virus transmission from the aerosol-generating procedure. ... Birthing women Read more about Pain is no joke in labour, but withdrawing laughing gas has no ill effects

N95 masks are better at protecting healthcare workers

Publicly released: Tue 16 Aug 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The researchers looked at COVID-19 infection rates among Swiss healthcare workers and compared them with how much risk they were exposed to and what type of mask they wore. ... About The Study: Read more about N95 masks are better at protecting healthcare workers

Long COVID could add an extra 6 months of pressure to healthcare systems

Publicly released: Sat 13 Aug 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The study of around 250,000 people found that use of the healthcare system was higher for COVID patients 6 months after the acute infection. ... The most notable reasons people sought care after COVID Read more about Long COVID could add an extra 6 months of pressure to healthcare systems

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are safe in pregnancy, large study confirms

Publicly released: Fri 12 Aug 2022 at 0940 AEST, 1140 NZST

The Lancet

In the early stages of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout there was low vaccine uptake among pregnant people due to concerns about data availability and vaccine safety. ... note, “These findings are Read more about COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are safe in pregnancy, large study confirms

Reframe the pain: reducing needle anxiety in children

Publicly released: Fri 12 Aug 2022 at 0730 AEST, 0930 NZST

European Journal of Pain

But with vaccinations becoming more regular, finding ways to help reduce needle-related fear and pain is high on the agenda. ... Lead researcher, UniSA’s Dr Felicity Braithwaite, says helping children Read more about Reframe the pain: reducing needle anxiety in children

Hate swabs up your nose? A new accurate saliva-based COVID-19 test could one day be in your office

Publicly released: Fri 12 Aug 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature Biomedical Engineering

Australian and international researchers have developed a saliva-based COVID testing machine - that could one day make highly accurate testing available in workplaces or classrooms. ... The test takes Read more about Hate swabs up your nose? A new accurate saliva-based COVID-19 test could one day be in your office

EXPERT REACTION: New Langya virus infects 35 people in China

Publicly released: Thu 11 Aug 2022 at 1308 AEST, 1508 NZST

The virus is thought to have come from animals and causes fever, fatigue and a cough. ... So far, there is no indication that the virus is spreading from person to person. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: New Langya virus infects 35 people in China

Caught COVID-19 while pregnant? You could be at a higher risk of severe illness

Publicly released: Thu 11 Aug 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

JACC: Advances

Pregnant Women are at Increased Risk of Severe Illness, Complications from COVID-19Vaccination and vigilance in care critical to ensuring safe pregnancy and birth in the COVID-19 eraWASHINGTON Read more about Caught COVID-19 while pregnant? You could be at a higher risk of severe illness

Analysis of research since 1970 reveals increasing productivity and worldwide gender gap

Publicly released: Thu 11 Aug 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

Between 2010 and 2020, they say the yearly number of publications increased every year, but the number dropped in 2020, potentially reflecting the impact of COVID-19. ... However, the overall number of Read more about Analysis of research since 1970 reveals increasing productivity and worldwide gender gap

Should you mix and match your COVID-19 booster vaccines?

Publicly released: Thu 11 Aug 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The Johnson & Johnson booster also seemed to generate a better Omicron-specific T-cell response. ... The authors say this suggests that there may be some immune benefits of mixing-and-matching COVID-19 Read more about Should you mix and match your COVID-19 booster vaccines?

The mystery gene which helps mice survive virus infections

Publicly released: Thu 11 Aug 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature

The findings in mice, published in Nature today, provide new information about how the immune system is regulated, and have potential ramifications for the treatment of virus infections that can lead Read more about The mystery gene which helps mice survive virus infections

Mapping the risk of the next COVID-19 in Southeast Asian bats

Publicly released: Wed 10 Aug 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

International scientists have developed an approach to estimate and map the risk of potential SARS-related coronaviruses spreading from bats to humans in Southeast Asia. ... Cecilia Sánchez, Peter Daszak Read more about Mapping the risk of the next COVID-19 in Southeast Asian bats

Getting COVID-19 patients to hold their breath could help find those most at risk

Publicly released: Mon 8 Aug 2022 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

Respirology

People with higher breath holding risk scores were almost five times more at risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes. ... The authors say breath-holding may help identify COVID-19 patients at risk of future Read more about Getting COVID-19 patients to hold their breath could help find those most at risk