Resources for Journalists

Social isolation could be associated with a higher dementia risk

Publicly released: Thu 2 Feb 2023 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Kimia Shafighi of McGill University, Canada, and colleagues. ... The authors add: “Given the uncertain impact of social distancing measures imposed by COVID-19, our Read more about Social isolation could be associated with a higher dementia risk

Modelling the shift from elimination to mitigation in Aotearoa New Zealand

Publicly released: Wed 1 Feb 2023 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

to stamp out transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). ... To investigate how the traffic light system might be used to limit the health burden manage the tricky transition to living with the virus, Read more about Modelling the shift from elimination to mitigation in Aotearoa New Zealand

Computer model predicts who will recover from COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 31 Jan 2023 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Nature Immunology

The research revealed distinct ‘systemic recovery’ profiles, with specific progression and recovery of the inflammatory, immune cell, metabolic and clinical responses to COVID-19. ... COVID-19 Read more about Computer model predicts who will recover from COVID-19

EXPERT REACTION: WHO says pandemic is not over but in 'transition'

Publicly released: Tue 31 Jan 2023 at 1051 AEDT | 1251 NZDT

Overnight the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the COVID pandemic is not over yet and it is still a 'public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)'. ... The WHO's advisory Read more about EXPERT REACTION: WHO says pandemic is not over but in 'transition'

COVID-19 kills young people and children too

Publicly released: Tue 31 Jan 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

COVID-19 has contributed to 2% of all deaths of under-19s in the United States throughout the pandemic, new data show. ... Various factors, including underreporting and not accounting for COVID-19’s Read more about COVID-19 kills young people and children too

Over one third of a year’s learning lost to COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 31 Jan 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

Education: Over one third of a year’s learning lost to COVID-19 pandemic PRESS BRIEFINGDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, school-aged children experienced delays in learning progress and a loss Read more about Over one third of a year’s learning lost to COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 deaths reduced by 90% after booster dose

Publicly released: Mon 30 Jan 2023 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Canadian Medical Association Journal

ET 90% reduction in COVID-19 deaths after booster dose: Hong Kong study A booster (third) dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was associated with a 90% reduction in death ... Booster vaccination with inactivated Read more about COVID-19 deaths reduced by 90% after booster dose

Most COVID-19 trial preprints were eventually published, and the conclusions mostly stayed the same

Publicly released: Sat 28 Jan 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

During the pandemic, preprints helped make clinical trial results available as quickly as possible, and now researchers have found that most preprints of COVID-19 clinical trials ended up being Read more about Most COVID-19 trial preprints were eventually published, and the conclusions mostly stayed the same

Children’s immune response to COVID-19: fast but doesn’t last

Publicly released: Thu 26 Jan 2023 at 1605 AEDT | 1805 NZDT

Clinical Immunology

Unlike those of adults, children’s immune systems don’t remember the virus and don’t adapt, so when they’re next exposed to SARS-CoV-2, their body still treats ... They found that children had Read more about Children’s immune response to COVID-19: fast but doesn’t last

Four doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine could give good immunity against new variants

Publicly released: Thu 26 Jan 2023 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

NEJM

Using the Novavax vaccine as a booster could potentially provide a more universal-like response against new SARS-CoV-2 variants, according to researchers at Novavax. ... They say 4 doses produced a Read more about Four doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine could give good immunity against new variants

Bivalent vaccine generates higher antibody responses against new 'grandchildren of omicron' variants

Publicly released: Thu 26 Jan 2023 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

4–BA. 5 variant and the original COVID-19 strain, generates a higher antibody response against the newer Omicron subvariants than the original Pfizer vaccine, according to international research. Read more about Bivalent vaccine generates higher antibody responses against new 'grandchildren of omicron' variants

Sports parent stresses emphasised during COVID-19 era

Publicly released: Wed 25 Jan 2023 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Psychology of Sport and Exercise

The research - “Sport parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perceptions of parents and youth in Australia”, by Sam Elliott, Aurélie Pankowiak, Rochelle Eime and Murray Drummond - has been Read more about Sports parent stresses emphasised during COVID-19 era

Coronavirus improves ability to tackle infectious diseases in Timor-Leste

Publicly released: Wed 25 Jan 2023 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia

These improvements can help Timor-Leste respond to other prevalent infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV The rapid expansion of Timor-Leste’s laboratory abilities during the Read more about Coronavirus improves ability to tackle infectious diseases in Timor-Leste

Online interaction is impacting the mood and cognitive function of young people

Publicly released: Tue 24 Jan 2023 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Scientific Reports

The COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdowns shifted our social interactions with peers even further online, especially for young people. ... And with these face-to-face social interactions, the feedback or Read more about Online interaction is impacting the mood and cognitive function of young people

New guidelines for cognitive rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury

Publicly released: Tue 24 Jan 2023 at 0845 AEDT | 1045 NZDT

Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation

Professor Ponsford also said a major addition to the updated version of the guidelines is a new section on telerehabilitation, which was necessitated due to the COVID-19 pandemic:“In recent Read more about New guidelines for cognitive rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines reduce virus risk in children, serious side effects are rare

Publicly released: Tue 24 Jan 2023 at 0310 AEDT | 0510 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

Children aged 5-11 who have received two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine are less likely to be infected with COVID-19 and less likely to have severe illness, ... 5 million unvaccinated children, and Read more about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines reduce virus risk in children, serious side effects are rare

Affordable air monitors identify ‘super-spreader’ areas in health settings

Publicly released: Mon 23 Jan 2023 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

Age and Ageing

Placing CO2 monitors in public spaces, such as hospitals, schools and aged-care facilities, could play a major role in the battle against airborne respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and Read more about Affordable air monitors identify ‘super-spreader’ areas in health settings

We may be underestimating how much more alcohol we drank during the pandemic

Publicly released: Mon 23 Jan 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Research so far into how much our alcohol consumption increased during the COVID-19 pandemic may be underestimating the issue, according to Australian research. ... The participants reported their alcohol Read more about We may be underestimating how much more alcohol we drank during the pandemic

What is the best COVID policy for Australia in 2023?

Publicly released: Fri 20 Jan 2023 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

respirators). Ongoing vaccinations and earlier public health measures most effective responses to future COVID-19 variants: studyOngoing vaccination and lower thresholds for escalating public health Read more about What is the best COVID policy for Australia in 2023?

How well-protected are you against COVID-19 if you've already had it and been vaccinated?

Publicly released: Thu 19 Jan 2023 at 1437 AEDT | 1637 NZDT

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

People who have both been infected with COVID-19 and vaccinated have sustained protection against hospitalisation and severe disease when going another round with the virus, according to a systematic Read more about How well-protected are you against COVID-19 if you've already had it and been vaccinated?

COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective at neutralising new BQ.1.1 and XBB.1 variants

Publicly released: Thu 19 Jan 2023 at 1412 AEDT | 1612 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

1 and XBB. 1 COVID-19 variants than to previous dominant Omicron variants, according to international research. ... The researchers tested the antibody response of a small group of people who had received Read more about COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective at neutralising new BQ.1.1 and XBB.1 variants

Omicron-targeting bivalent boosters could better neutralise COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 19 Jan 2023 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Pfizer's bivalent vaccine targeting Omicron BA. 1 and the original COVID-19 variant can induce higher levels of neutralising antibodies than the original Pfizer vaccine, according to the company's Read more about Omicron-targeting bivalent boosters could better neutralise COVID-19

Climate change could be hurting our brains, too

Publicly released: Thu 19 Jan 2023 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Climate

With severe climate events such as wildfires and hurricanes expected to increase in the future, studying climate trauma is becoming more important. ... COVID-19 pandemic). Read more about Climate change could be hurting our brains, too

Vaccinations may reduce the risk of long COVID symptoms

Publicly released: Thu 19 Jan 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

COVID-19 Symptoms 6 Months After Onset, Role of Vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 InfectionJAMA Network Open Original InvestigationPersistent COVID-19 Symptoms at 6 Months After Onset and the Role of Read more about Vaccinations may reduce the risk of long COVID symptoms

Reducing new hepatitis C infections through broad access to treatments among people with HIV in five countries

Publicly released: Mon 16 Jan 2023 at 0951 AEDT | 1151 NZDT

eClinicalMedicine

Continued monitoring is warranted, however, because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence trends, and whether DAAs will continue to drive incidence reductions after 2019 is largely Read more about Reducing new hepatitis C infections through broad access to treatments among people with HIV in five countries

Were pregnant women given the information they needed about COVID-19?

Publicly released: Sat 14 Jan 2023 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Pregnant women in Australia found it difficult to get the information they needed about COVID-19 during the pandemic, increasing their risk of exposure to misinformation, according to Australian Read more about Were pregnant women given the information they needed about COVID-19?

Convalescent plasma may help immunocompromised COVID-19 patients avoid death

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jan 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The new research included eight controlled studies and 138 case studies, and found that transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma was linked to a decrease in death risk in ... About The Study: The Read more about Convalescent plasma may help immunocompromised COVID-19 patients avoid death

Antidepressant fluvoxamine does not speed up COVID-19 recovery

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jan 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA

There were no deaths in either group. These findings suggest fluvoxamine should not be used in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19, the authors conclude. ... These findings do not support the use Read more about Antidepressant fluvoxamine does not speed up COVID-19 recovery

COVID-19 now the 3rd highest cause of death in Australia

Publicly released: Thu 12 Jan 2023 at 1317 AEDT | 1517 NZDT

COVID-19 is now the 3rd highest cause of death in Australia, according to experts from OzSAGE, a broad group of experts looking at the well-being of Aussies before, during ... and after the COVID-19 Read more about COVID-19 now the 3rd highest cause of death in Australia

Most long covid symptoms after a mild infection are gone within a year

Publicly released: Thu 12 Jan 2023 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

But the clinical effects of long covid one year after mild infection and their association with age, sex, covid-19 variants, and vaccination status are still unclear. ... Findings were similar across the Read more about Most long covid symptoms after a mild infection are gone within a year

COVID-19 antibody response may not be better after an Omicron-specific booster

Publicly released: Thu 12 Jan 2023 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Vaccines designed specifically to target both the original COVID-19 variant and Omicron BA. ... Testing the participants' blood against multiple COVID-19 variants, the researchers say the strongest Read more about COVID-19 antibody response may not be better after an Omicron-specific booster

Paying people to get vaccinated likely not a bad option

Publicly released: Thu 12 Jan 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

The team offered over 5,000 people in Sweden money to take the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and say that the cash did not affect the timing or ... of a COVID-19 vaccine did not affect the timing or Read more about Paying people to get vaccinated likely not a bad option

Music helped people get through the pandemic with lower stress levels

Publicly released: Wed 11 Jan 2023 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

The researchers say we can learn from this and use music, especially 'happy music', to help us through other stressful periods of our lives. ... About The Study: Listening to music in daily life was Read more about Music helped people get through the pandemic with lower stress levels

A child or young person died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021 – UN report

Publicly released: Tue 10 Jan 2023 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

While COVID-19 has not directly increased childhood mortality – with children facing a lower likelihood of dying from the disease than adults – the pandemic may have increased future risks to Read more about A child or young person died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021 – UN report

Aussie year 11s and 12s had high rates of depression during the pandemic, despite few infections

Publicly released: Mon 9 Jan 2023 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Australian Journal of Social Issues

The authors say the mental health problems and poor levels of well-being occurred despite low rates of COVID-19 infection, suggesting that government policy responses contributed to the detrimental Read more about Aussie year 11s and 12s had high rates of depression during the pandemic, despite few infections

3D printing of single atom catalysts

Publicly released: Mon 9 Jan 2023 at 1135 AEDT | 1335 NZDT

Nature Synthesis

The research has been published in Nature Synthesis. The team mailed in samples to the Australian Synchrotron during the COVID lockdown for materials characterisation using the X-ray absorption Read more about 3D printing of single atom catalysts

Job losses increased and families' mental health worsened as Victoria's extended lockdown rolled on

Publicly released: Tue 27 Dec 2022 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Australian Journal of Social Issues

As Victoria's initial COVID-19 lockdown extended to an ongoing lockdown in 2020, families in Victoria reported further job and income losses, and poorer mental health, according to Australian Read more about Job losses increased and families' mental health worsened as Victoria's extended lockdown rolled on

Merck's COVID-19 drug molnupiravir doesn't reduce deaths or hospitalisations but may speed up recovery

Publicly released: Fri 23 Dec 2022 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

Previous studies suggested that molnupiravir is effective at reducing hospital admissions in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 and WHO recommends its use for patients with the highest risk of Read more about Merck's COVID-19 drug molnupiravir doesn't reduce deaths or hospitalisations but may speed up recovery

Conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers more likely to believe 'tinfoil hat' reasons for cancer

Publicly released: Thu 22 Dec 2022 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

The team surveyed close to 1,500 people, including 209 unvaccinated against COVID-19, 112 who preferred alternative rather than conventional medicine, and 62 who reported flat Earth or reptilian Read more about Conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers more likely to believe 'tinfoil hat' reasons for cancer

In the push and pull of crowds, disordered proteins dance precariously

Publicly released: Thu 22 Dec 2022 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science Advances

The best example of IDPs/IDRs is the spike protein within the envelope of the COVID virus: their adaptability not only enables them to latch onto a cell for viral entry ... on the shape, size, stability Read more about In the push and pull of crowds, disordered proteins dance precariously

Santa, it's time to phase out coal for naughty children

Publicly released: Tue 20 Dec 2022 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

They say as today's children grapple with climate anxiety and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's time to be kind to one another and spend Christmas doing ... As the covid-19 pandemic, war, cost of Read more about Santa, it's time to phase out coal for naughty children

First results on the longer-term effects of therapies for the treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19

Publicly released: Sat 17 Dec 2022 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA

term. ” The 4869 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 were enrolled into the trial between March 9, 2020, and June 22, 2021, from 197 sites in 14 countries. ... Run by Monash University’s Read more about First results on the longer-term effects of therapies for the treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19

No evidence of sudden hearing loss following vaccination against COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 16 Dec 2022 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

A large international study found no evidence of an increase in the risk of hearing loss after the COVID-19 vaccine, according to researchers. ... A large previous study found an increased risk for sudden Read more about No evidence of sudden hearing loss following vaccination against COVID-19

COVID-19 virus can affect vision and depth perception

Publicly released: Thu 15 Dec 2022 at 1223 AEDT | 1423 NZDT

Nature Communications

The study found the eyes and the trigeminal nerves are susceptible to the virus and that (in animal models) SARS-CoV-2 can infect the eye through the respiratory tract, via ... understand how SARS-CoV-2 Read more about COVID-19 virus can affect vision and depth perception

Lost your taste and smell during COVID-19? You may have more antibodies in your system

Publicly released: Thu 15 Dec 2022 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

The team tested the blood of 300 people who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic. ... Just over 60% of these participants reported altered taste and smell during their infection, and the researchers say Read more about Lost your taste and smell during COVID-19? You may have more antibodies in your system

WHO estimates 14.83 million deaths associated with COVID-19 from 2020 to 2021

Publicly released: Thu 15 Dec 2022 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

The World Health Organisation estimates suggest that there were 14. 83 million excess deaths associated with COVID-19 around the world between 2020 and 2021. ... Beyond what is directly attributed to COVID Read more about WHO estimates 14.83 million deaths associated with COVID-19 from 2020 to 2021

Why methane levels peaked while other greenhouses fell during COVID-19 lockdowns

Publicly released: Thu 15 Dec 2022 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Methane levels hit a record high in 2020, despite COVID-19 lockdowns which were expected to put the breaks on emissions, and now international researchers think they know why. ... The authors report that Read more about Why methane levels peaked while other greenhouses fell during COVID-19 lockdowns

Maths problem: review finds shortage of teachers and researchers

Publicly released: Wed 14 Dec 2022 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

NCMS Chair Professor Alan Welsh FAA said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the university sector had also resulted in notable losses to the mathematical sciences research community. ... COVID-19 Read more about Maths problem: review finds shortage of teachers and researchers

BMX, karate and skateboarding, ow my (arm)! New Olympic sports linked to highest injury rates

Publicly released: Wed 14 Dec 2022 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

British Journal of Sports Medicine

But the sickness rate was lower. “This might largely be attributed to the extensive countermeasures put in place to mitigate COVID-19, effectively reducing transmission of COVID-19 and all Read more about BMX, karate and skateboarding, ow my (arm)! New Olympic sports linked to highest injury rates

The Tokyo Paralympics saw fewer injuries, but they were more severe

Publicly released: Wed 14 Dec 2022 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

British Journal of Sports Medicine

The researchers can't say for sure why this is, but they suspect COVID-19 restrictions could have changed the way athletes prepare, and the new sports of taekwondo and badminton ... The Tokyo 2020 Read more about The Tokyo Paralympics saw fewer injuries, but they were more severe