Resources for Journalists

Critical oncology trial data remains hidden

Publicly released: Fri 29 Jul 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Oncology

This is the same reason given by Pfizer and Moderna for the clinical trial data on their respective COVID-19 vaccines not currently being available,” says Dr Hopkins. ... DOI: 10. 1001/jamaoncol. 2022. Read more about Critical oncology trial data remains hidden

New abortion laws face COVID-19 and resourcing hurdles

Publicly released: Thu 28 Jul 2022 at 1500 AEST, 1700 NZST

International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy

When emergency powers legislation was invoked in SA to manage COVID-19, the SA Abortion Action Coalition ran a campaign in 2020 to lobby relevant ministers and the Chief Public Health ... 5204/ijcjsd. Read more about New abortion laws face COVID-19 and resourcing hurdles

Safety of COVID-19 vaccines in over 200,000 Aussie kids: reassuring data from AusVaxSafety

Publicly released: Thu 28 Jul 2022 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

MedRxiv

Australian children aged 5–15 years report fewer side effects in the days following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination than those reported in clinical trials and published safety data, according to new Read more about Safety of COVID-19 vaccines in over 200,000 Aussie kids: reassuring data from AusVaxSafety

COVID-19 vaccine patch fights variants better than needles in mice

Publicly released: Thu 28 Jul 2022 at 0930 AEST, 1130 NZST

Vaccine

The research, conducted in partnership with Brisbane biotechnology company Vaxxas, tested the Hexapro SARS-CoV-2 spike vaccine using the Vaxxas high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) technology, and Read more about COVID-19 vaccine patch fights variants better than needles in mice

As many as 1 in 20 COVID-19 patients could suffer long-term loss of smell and taste

Publicly released: Thu 28 Jul 2022 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

The BMJ

Change in the sense of smell and taste is common in patients with covid-19, with 40-50% of people on average reporting these symptoms globally. ... However, they note that the virus variant of SARS-CoV-2 Read more about As many as 1 in 20 COVID-19 patients could suffer long-term loss of smell and taste

Even if you've already had COVID-19, getting vaccinated can help stop you getting reinfected

Publicly released: Thu 28 Jul 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

If you've already had COVID, getting vaccinated can help stop you from catching it again, cutting your risk of reinfection in half, according to a US study. ... The study found that people who had their Read more about Even if you've already had COVID-19, getting vaccinated can help stop you getting reinfected

‘Dog people’ may do better in lockdown

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jul 2022 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

Pet Behaviour Science

Researchers examining why dog owners living alone during Covid restrictions were less lonely think it may have to do with the type of person who owns dogs rather than having a ... She said a previous Read more about ‘Dog people’ may do better in lockdown

Native New Zealand tree puts the sting on pain

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jul 2022 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

Journal of Biological Chemistry

The team faced challenges during the study due to international COVID travel restrictions. ... COVID made it difficult to source nettles, but to keep our research going through the pandemic, we managed to Read more about Native New Zealand tree puts the sting on pain

By June, almost half of Aussies had recently had COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jul 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

It is estimated that by early June, at least 46% of the adult Australian population had acquired infection [1] with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to ... antibodies. Two types of Read more about By June, almost half of Aussies had recently had COVID-19

Telehealth helped alcohol and drug treatment services maintain support through COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jul 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

COVID-19 restrictions saw alcohol and other drug treatment service providers adapt In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the introduction of new health regulations, the delivery Read more about Telehealth helped alcohol and drug treatment services maintain support through COVID-19

Aussie kids who were closer to their pets during the pandemic had poorer mental health

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jul 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

Kids who were anxious during the second COVID wave may have been gravitating towards pets to seek additional comfort, say Aussie researchers who found that more anxious kids also had greater Read more about Aussie kids who were closer to their pets during the pandemic had poorer mental health

Antivirals can prevent hospitalisations if COVID-19 patients are treated early

Publicly released: Mon 25 Jul 2022 at 1401 AEST, 1601 NZST

Canadian Medical Association Journal

Some antivirals used in nonsevere COVID-19 may reduce hospitalizations and deathsThe antiviral drugs molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir–ritonavir (Paxlovid), when used to treat nonsevere COVID-19, most Read more about Antivirals can prevent hospitalisations if COVID-19 patients are treated early

1-in-17 kids who get COVID-19 have lingering symptoms 90 days later

Publicly released: Sat 23 Jul 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The team looked at health records for 3,387 kids, 1,886 of who had had COVID-19, and found 5. ... Post–COVID-19 Conditions Among Children 90 Days After SARS-CoV-2 InfectionAbout The Study: In this Read more about 1-in-17 kids who get COVID-19 have lingering symptoms 90 days later

More than 2 in 5 Aussies have experienced a mental health disorder

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jul 2022 at 1530 AEST, 1730 NZST

2 per cent) of young males aged 16-24 years had a mental disorder in 2020-21, with anxiety disorders being the most common type of disorder among young females and ... I should also say that this is not a Read more about More than 2 in 5 Aussies have experienced a mental health disorder

Fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines boost antibodies in the over 60s

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jul 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Antibody Titers After Third, Fourth Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Dose in Older AdultsJAMA Network Open Research LetterAntibody Titers After a Third and Fourth SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 Vaccine Dose in Older Read more about Fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines boost antibodies in the over 60s

Lowest birth rate in more than a decade but most newborn babies are healthy

Publicly released: Fri 22 Jul 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

The report captures data from the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and shows that the number of babies born declined by around 7,100 (2. ... The AIHW report, Australia’s mothers and Read more about Lowest birth rate in more than a decade but most newborn babies are healthy

How Australia's economy braced for COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jul 2022 at 1721 AEST, 1921 NZST

Pacific-Basin Finance Journal

Monetary policy interventions resulted in lower bank and fintech stock prices in the first stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The article – COVID-19 and policy responses: Early evidence in banks and Read more about How Australia's economy braced for COVID-19

COVID shield: Spray coating to shield surfaces from viruses, bacteria

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jul 2022 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Advanced Science

A sprayable coating that can prevent the surface spread of infection from bacteria and viruses - including COVID-19 - over a sustained period has been developed by a team of Australian researchers. Read more about COVID shield: Spray coating to shield surfaces from viruses, bacteria

Real world data shows Pfizer vaccine gives kids some protection against Omicron

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jul 2022 at 1330 AEST, 1530 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

The Pfizer vaccine reduces the risk of a COVID-19 infection and hospitalisation in kids aged 5 to 11 years of age when Omicron is the dominant variant, according to new ... The data, from more than a Read more about Real world data shows Pfizer vaccine gives kids some protection against Omicron

Hospital healthcare could be in 'hot water'

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jul 2022 at 1324 AEST, 1524 NZST

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases

Healthcare at home has emerged as an alternative to extensive inpatient hospital stays – especially through the COVID-19 pandemic, to reduce the burden on the healthcare system and to support those Read more about Hospital healthcare could be in 'hot water'