Resources for Journalists

EXPERT REACTION: Solar eclipse set to stun in WA

Publicly released: Mon 17 Apr 2023 at 1600 AEST | 1800 NZST

On Thursday, April 20, a solar eclipse is set to be visible across Australia for the first time since 2014. ... Exmouth and some of the surrounding peninsula in Western Australia will have the best view, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Solar eclipse set to stun in WA

Disturbed sleep may partially explain long COVID breathlessness

Publicly released: Sun 16 Apr 2023 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), The Lancet

The researchers say the findings suggest sleep disturbance is a common problem after hospitalisation for COVID-19 and is linked with breathlessness. ... The study researchers also found that participants Read more about Disturbed sleep may partially explain long COVID breathlessness

Drug shows promise for reducing fatigue in long-COVID patients

Publicly released: Sat 15 Apr 2023 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

eClinical Medicine

A drug designed to help long-COVID patients suffering from persistent fatigue has shown promise in a randomised controlled trial, according to an international study presented at the European Read more about Drug shows promise for reducing fatigue in long-COVID patients

Humanising international education requires 360-degree support

Publicly released: Fri 14 Apr 2023 at 1143 AEST | 1343 NZST

At a national level prior to COVID-19 it contributed $37. 6B to the economy. ... Notes to editors · Prior to COVID about 580,000 international students were living in Australia; by the end of 2021, Read more about Humanising international education requires 360-degree support

Nurse sounds a warning on hearing loss for COVID-19 patients

Publicly released: Fri 14 Apr 2023 at 1036 AEST | 1236 NZST

British Medical Journal Case Reports

A University of South Australia nursing lecturer has used her own COVID-19 experience to inform research into a little-known side effect of the virus – sudden deafness. ... The evidence around the short Read more about Nurse sounds a warning on hearing loss for COVID-19 patients

COVID-19 bivalent booster reduces deaths and hospitalisations in over-65s

Publicly released: Fri 14 Apr 2023 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Our findings highlight the importance of new types of vaccines containing different variants of SARS-CoV-2, which are likely to induce broader immune responses and provide enhanced protection against Read more about COVID-19 bivalent booster reduces deaths and hospitalisations in over-65s

Indigenous people in Australia and NZ at higher risk of hospitalisation and death from the flu

Publicly released: Fri 14 Apr 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Global Public Health

Australia did a fantastic job during COVID of having First Nations-led plans that worked well. ... Dr Gibney added that surveillance of respiratory virus information is vital for management of the disease. Read more about Indigenous people in Australia and NZ at higher risk of hospitalisation and death from the flu

A measles immunity gap is opening among preschoolers

Publicly released: Fri 14 Apr 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

NZMJ

Disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic may have worsened this, with the worldwide coverage of the first dose of the measles vaccine falling about 7% from 2020 compared to 2019. ... Gaps in measles Read more about A measles immunity gap is opening among preschoolers

Australia's youth employment crisis - a result of COVID-19 or nothing new?

Publicly released: Wed 12 Apr 2023 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Australian Journal of Social Issues

The precarious employment situation of young Australians was thrown into sharp relief by the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Aussie experts say this is nothing new and not a ... result of COVID-19 Read more about Australia's youth employment crisis - a result of COVID-19 or nothing new?

Pregnant women show robust and variable immunity during COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 12 Apr 2023 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

JCI Insight

New research from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) has found that pregnant women display a strong immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, comparable to that Read more about Pregnant women show robust and variable immunity during COVID-19

Around 1 in 10 pregnant Aussie women were hesitant about getting a COVID vaccine

Publicly released: Wed 12 Apr 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

BMJ Open

about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. ... The survey, which was conducted between 31 August 2021 and 1 March 2022 also found hesitancy increased over the survey period. Read more about Around 1 in 10 pregnant Aussie women were hesitant about getting a COVID vaccine

What would happen if Covid isolation was no longer mandatory in NZ?

Publicly released: Tue 11 Apr 2023 at 1300 AEST | 1500 NZST

NZ researchers used a mathematical model to figure out how the country’s rates of Covid-19 infections, hospital admissions, and deaths would change if our isolation requirements were scrapped. Read more about What would happen if Covid isolation was no longer mandatory in NZ?

Current strain of COVID-19 still seems to be more deadly than flu

Publicly released: Fri 7 Apr 2023 at 0801 AEST | 1001 NZST

European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID)

Please credit the congress if you use this story Adults hospitalised with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant have a higher death rate than those hospitalised with seasonal influenza, even though Read more about Current strain of COVID-19 still seems to be more deadly than flu

Masks in hospitals may not have major impact on Omicron transmission

Publicly released: Fri 7 Apr 2023 at 0801 AEST | 1001 NZST

European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (EECMID)

week when the Omicron variant became dominant) and 10th September 2022 (when universal COVID-19 screening on admission by PCR stopped) to examine hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infections in relation Read more about Masks in hospitals may not have major impact on Omicron transmission

Early samples from Wuhan market contained COVID-19 virus alongside animal DNA

Publicly released: Thu 6 Apr 2023 at 1015 AEST | 1215 NZST

Nature

The results of the highly anticipated study support the claim that SARS-CoV-2 was prevalent in the Huanan Seafood Market during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, although ... Although these Read more about Early samples from Wuhan market contained COVID-19 virus alongside animal DNA

RSV vaccine for pregnant women provides protection for babies

Publicly released: Thu 6 Apr 2023 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

Both trials were funded by Pfizer, which manufactures the vaccine. A world-first study has found a new vaccine against potentially deadly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is safe and effective for Read more about RSV vaccine for pregnant women provides protection for babies

How can you counteract a conspiracy theorist's beliefs?

Publicly released: Thu 6 Apr 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

Cian O’Mahony of University College Cork, Ireland, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on April 5. ... Evidence from prior studies suggests that belief in Read more about How can you counteract a conspiracy theorist's beliefs?

Japanese Encephalitis warning in the lead up to Easter holidays

Publicly released: Wed 5 Apr 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

A rapid review of what we know about Japanese Encephalitis (JE) outlines the serious risk that the virus poses, with residents and travellers in South-Eastern Australia only recently being exposed Read more about Japanese Encephalitis warning in the lead up to Easter holidays

Long COVID symptoms in young people could be just as common in those who haven't had COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 31 Mar 2023 at 1015 AEDT | 1215 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Symptoms often considered to be signs of long COVID in young people could be just as common in young people who have not had the virus, according to international and Australian ... The team clinically Read more about Long COVID symptoms in young people could be just as common in those who haven't had COVID-19