Resources for Journalists

Believers in COVID-19 misinformation more likely to use discredited treatments

Publicly released: Sat 30 Sep 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Health Forum

People who believe COVID-19 misinformation, distrust western medicine, believe in conspiracy theories, and get their news from sources that have promoted COVID-19 misinformation are the most likely Read more about Believers in COVID-19 misinformation more likely to use discredited treatments

Prevention better than cure in race to slash rates of TB

Publicly released: Wed 27 Sep 2023 at 1400 AEST | 1700 NZDT

eClinical Medicine

worldwide, particularly in the wake of disruptions to health care caused by the COVID-19 pandemicIt is estimated that more than a quarter of the world’s population has latent TB ... Mr Liyew said Read more about Prevention better than cure in race to slash rates of TB

COVID-19 first infectious disease in top 5 causes of death since 1970

Publicly released: Wed 27 Sep 2023 at 1350 AEST | 1650 NZDT

COVID-19 was among the top ten leading causes of death in all states and territories in 2022, ranging from the third leading cause in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia ... Broken down by sex, we Read more about COVID-19 first infectious disease in top 5 causes of death since 1970

EXPERT REACTION: hMPV on the rise in Australia

Publicly released: Wed 27 Sep 2023 at 1345 AEST | 1645 NZDT

Human metapneumovirus or hMPV is a virus you have likely never heard of, but it is currently spreading quickly across NSW, having already infected over 1000 people in the last two ... weeks. Below, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: hMPV on the rise in Australia

EXPERT REACTION: Overly broad definitions and pitfalls may plague 'long COVID' research

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2023 at 0830 AEST | 1130 NZDT

BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine

for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), and the Royal College of General Practitioners requires a causal link between the virus responsible for COVID Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Overly broad definitions and pitfalls may plague 'long COVID' research

COVID-19 antiviral drug may be driving changes in the virus itself

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0400 NZDT

Nature

Searching through more than 15 million SARS-CoV-2 virus genomes, the researchers found specific mutations occurring from 2022, after the introduction of molnupiravir treatment. ... COVID-19: Molnupiravir Read more about COVID-19 antiviral drug may be driving changes in the virus itself

COVID-19 payments helped disadvantaged Aussies with drug problems to pay bills and feel 'normal'

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2023 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Australian Journal of Social Issues

Interviews with a small group of people in Victoria who inject drugs or use methamphetamine suggest that the extra social security payments and homelessness initiative during COVID-19 helped give Read more about COVID-19 payments helped disadvantaged Aussies with drug problems to pay bills and feel 'normal'

New nanopore tech for quicker, more thorough mRNA quality checks

Publicly released: Thu 21 Sep 2023 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Nature Communications

This approach promises to simplify and better ensure the quality of manufactured mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics worldwide. ... The recent success of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines had focused considerable Read more about New nanopore tech for quicker, more thorough mRNA quality checks

EXPERT REACTION: Government announces 12-month inquiry into Australia's COVID-19 response

Publicly released: Thu 21 Sep 2023 at 1030 AEST | 1230 NZST

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a nationwide inquiry into Australia's COVID-19 pandemic response today. ... The inquiry will be led by economist Angela Jackson, epidemiologist Catherine Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Government announces 12-month inquiry into Australia's COVID-19 response

First Nations people appear to have similar COVID-19 immune response to non-Indigenous Australians

Publicly released: Wed 20 Sep 2023 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Immunology & Cell Biology

First Nations people have a COVID-19 mortality rate 1. 6 times higher than the general population, so researchers investigated whether there were immunological differences contributing to this. Read more about First Nations people appear to have similar COVID-19 immune response to non-Indigenous Australians

Exercise-based rehabilitation might help patients with Long COVID

Publicly released: Wed 20 Sep 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Breathing exercises and other exercise-based rehabilitation could improve life for patients suffering from post-COVID-19 conditions. ... The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest Read more about Exercise-based rehabilitation might help patients with Long COVID

Practising mindfulness can help rewire the brains of anxious pre-teens

Publicly released: Tue 19 Sep 2023 at 1500 AEST | 1700 NZST

Brain Imaging and Behaviour, Psychiatric Research

program. Parents also completed surveys. “The results were particularly interesting because half of the participants completed their second assessment during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Read more about Practising mindfulness can help rewire the brains of anxious pre-teens

Cancer drug may conquer COVID-19 inflammation as animal and tissue tests show promise

Publicly released: Mon 18 Sep 2023 at 2000 AEST | 2200 NZST

Nature Communications

The body’s inflammatory response to infection is important in controlling viruses, such as SARS-CoV- 2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but when inflammation gets out of control the ... FactsCOVID-19 Read more about Cancer drug may conquer COVID-19 inflammation as animal and tissue tests show promise

Predicting events with the help of machine learning

Publicly released: Fri 15 Sep 2023 at 1400 AEST | 1600 NZST

eBioMedicine

The team’s paper, published in eBioMedicine, reports that the resulting human-machine hybrid model and was more accurate than humans alone  for predicting COVID-19-related events. ... The COVID-19 Read more about Predicting events with the help of machine learning

Using tobacco and cannabis together linked to anxiety and depression

Publicly released: Thu 14 Sep 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

High rates of depression and anxiety in people who use both tobacco and cannabisAmong more than 50,000 COVID-19 Citizen Science Study participants, around a quarter of users of both ... In the new study, Read more about Using tobacco and cannabis together linked to anxiety and depression

Having a flu shot alongside a COVID-19 vaccine does not appear to weaken either

Publicly released: Sat 9 Sep 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

4/BA. 5 bivalent COVID-19 vaccine or both at the same time by giving them a questionnaire about their post-vaccine symptoms, and testing the antibody responses in their blood. ... or to more frequent Read more about Having a flu shot alongside a COVID-19 vaccine does not appear to weaken either

Labour laws need updating now remote work is here to stay

Publicly released: Fri 8 Sep 2023 at 1044 AEST | 1244 NZST

Australia’s employment laws and regulations must be updated to reflect the changing nature of work, with many people continuing to work from home long after the COVID-19 pandemic. ... with a job Read more about Labour laws need updating now remote work is here to stay

EXPERT REACTION: Aussies' wellbeing has improved since COVID-19, but not back to original levels

Publicly released: Thu 7 Sep 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Levels of life satisfaction and psychological distress have improved compared to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but are still below pre-pandemic levels, according to a report from the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussies' wellbeing has improved since COVID-19, but not back to original levels

Can ChatGPT curb COVID-19 conspiracies?

Publicly released: Mon 4 Sep 2023 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics

The team asked ChatGPT to answer the top 50 most frequently asked COVID-19 vaccine questions, and say that it was able to score nine out of ten on average for ... During the pandemic, misinformation Read more about Can ChatGPT curb COVID-19 conspiracies?

Developing a test for long COVID 'brain fog'

Publicly released: Fri 1 Sep 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Medicine

The team looked at blood samples from more than 1800 British people hospitalised with COVID-19 between early 2020 and late 2021 who had self-reported any cognitive issues (subjective tests) Read more about Developing a test for long COVID 'brain fog'

Inhalable molecules neutralise COVID-19 in mice

Publicly released: Thu 31 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Molecular Therapy

When inhaled by mice, nanofitins quickly made their way to the lungs in high doses, both preventing and clearing early infections of COVID-19 by binding to the spike protein of ... We were able to generate Read more about Inhalable molecules neutralise COVID-19 in mice

Nearly half of phones tested during pandemic carried COVID-19 virus

Publicly released: Wed 30 Aug 2023 at 1500 AEST | 1700 NZST

Journal of Infection and Public Health

Of 511 phones, 231 (45 percent) tested positive for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19. ... Almost half of mobile phones tested at the height of the pandemic were contaminated with Read more about Nearly half of phones tested during pandemic carried COVID-19 virus

T-cells may be the key to why COVID-19 is life threatening in some people

Publicly released: Tue 29 Aug 2023 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Clinical & Translational Immunology

People who end up with life-threatening critical COVID-19 have increases in a type of immune cell known as cytotoxic CD4+ T cells (CTL), but the same increases don't ... The authors say this suggests Read more about T-cells may be the key to why COVID-19 is life threatening in some people

Depression in young children does not appear to be increasing

Publicly released: Tue 29 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Depression in children under the age of 13 did not increase over the 15 years before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Australian researchers. ... They say while there is not much data available yet on Read more about Depression in young children does not appear to be increasing

Aussie woman found with parasitic roundworm in her brain caught from carpet python

Publicly released: Tue 29 Aug 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Emerging infectious diseases

This includes coronaviruses,” he said. “This Ophidascaris infection does not transmit between people, so it won’t cause a pandemic like SARS, COVID-19 or Ebola. ... The research team included Read more about Aussie woman found with parasitic roundworm in her brain caught from carpet python

New Zealand's COVID-19 wage subsidy saved jobs and businesses

Publicly released: Fri 25 Aug 2023 at 1117 AEST | 1317 NZST

Two reports highlight how New Zealand's COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme preserved employment and supported businesses during the pandemic. ... The COVID-19 pandemic has caused substantial disruption in Read more about New Zealand's COVID-19 wage subsidy saved jobs and businesses

When China's zero COVID-19 policy ended death rates may have spiked far higher than official estimates

Publicly released: Fri 25 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

In the two months after China's zero COVID-19 policy ended in December 2022, there were an estimated 1. ... COVID-19 related hospitalisations and deaths in hospitals hit their peak at the end of Read more about When China's zero COVID-19 policy ended death rates may have spiked far higher than official estimates

Climate change raising demand for more council environmental health officers

Publicly released: Thu 24 Aug 2023 at 1043 AEST | 1243 NZST

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

during a public health emergency was capably demonstrated by their education and communication responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The Flinders team’s survey and follow-up interviews examined the Read more about Climate change raising demand for more council environmental health officers

Microorganism that causes rare but severe eye infections detected in NSW coastal areas

Publicly released: Thu 24 Aug 2023 at 0930 AEST | 1130 NZST

Science of The Total Environment

Acanthamoeba from the environment can get trapped between the contact lens and the eye, leading to infection. ... The researchers collected multiple samples from each site each month from August 2019 to Read more about Microorganism that causes rare but severe eye infections detected in NSW coastal areas

Combining public health measures kept us safe from COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 24 Aug 2023 at 0915 AEST | 1115 NZST

Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A

the SARS-CoV-2 virus: masks and face coverings; social distancing and ‘lockdowns; test, trace and isolate; travel restrictions and controls across international borders; environmental controls; and Read more about Combining public health measures kept us safe from COVID-19

EXPERT REACTION: New RSV vaccine could be potent against future variants, suggests animal study

Publicly released: Thu 24 Aug 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

Science Translational Medicine

As the COVID-19 pandemic has showed, vaccines can sometimes lose their potency against viral infections as the virus mutates over time. ... Although RSV doesn’t seem to evolve as quickly as SARS-CoV-2 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: New RSV vaccine could be potent against future variants, suggests animal study

Gender-affirming surgery in the US almost triples in 3 years

Publicly released: Thu 24 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

US scientists say gender-affirming surgery in the USA nearly tripled between 2016 and 2019, before dropping off in 2020 as COVID-19 hit. ... The team looked at health records of 48,019 patients who Read more about Gender-affirming surgery in the US almost triples in 3 years

Poor access to mental health services linked to suicide hotspots

Publicly released: Wed 23 Aug 2023 at 1515 AEST | 1715 NZST

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

This is a real missed opportunity for youth suicide prevention and the prevention of suicide clusters,” Dr Hill said. ... WA has the nation’s highest population growth following COVID-19. This paper Read more about Poor access to mental health services linked to suicide hotspots

Mortal wombat: Social distancing can't save critters from deadly mange

Publicly released: Wed 23 Aug 2023 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Biology Letters

Social distancing may have helped curb COVID-19, but it doesn't appear to help stop the spread of deadly sarcoptic mange in wombats, according to Australian researchers. ... Over the study period, four Read more about Mortal wombat: Social distancing can't save critters from deadly mange

Poor report card for Aussie children’s wellbeing

Publicly released: Wed 23 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

While COVID-19 lockdowns are no longer mandated, the stress and anxiety of the pandemic still lingers, especially among young South Australians, say health experts at the University of South Australia Read more about Poor report card for Aussie children’s wellbeing

Australia experiences intense surge in Strep A cases, similar to northern hemisphere wave

Publicly released: Wed 23 Aug 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

the increase was likely due to a combination of environmental factors such as reduced social contact during COVID-19 public health interventions, which changed viruses in circulation. ... Dr Abo said Read more about Australia experiences intense surge in Strep A cases, similar to northern hemisphere wave

Building a stronger industry image will boost hospitality employment

Publicly released: Tue 22 Aug 2023 at 0940 AEST | 1140 NZST

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated talent challenges faced by hospitality organisations when prolonged closures led to many workers leaving the industry to pursue other employment. ” ... Attracting Read more about Building a stronger industry image will boost hospitality employment

What can we learn from the link between COVID-19 and neurological problems?

Publicly released: Tue 22 Aug 2023 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

A wide range of neurological problems have been reported as symptoms of COVID-19, from headaches to seizures and Guillain–Barré syndrome. ... He says assessing the link between COVID-19 and many of Read more about What can we learn from the link between COVID-19 and neurological problems?

Should mask rules remain in healthcare settings?

Publicly released: Tue 22 Aug 2023 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Mask-wearing should continue in healthcare settings, according to US public health experts who argue infection from SARS-CoV-2 is still a threat, especially to the most vulnerable patients, and Read more about Should mask rules remain in healthcare settings?

How did COVID-19 severity in kids change as the pandemic progressed?

Publicly released: Tue 22 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

The severity of COVID-19 in children appears to have decreased over the course of the pandemics as the virus mutated, according to Australian and international researchers. ... International Pediatric Read more about How did COVID-19 severity in kids change as the pandemic progressed?

Tiny worms help with a huge health problem

Publicly released: Mon 21 Aug 2023 at 1107 AEST | 1307 NZST

Nature Communications

All trial participants had risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. ... That was an interesting observation as well, given that much of the trial took place during the first Read more about Tiny worms help with a huge health problem

COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe cases in children

Publicly released: Mon 21 Aug 2023 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

BMJ Paediatrics Open

However, with most children now having caught the SARS-CoV-2 virus and building up a natural immunity, the additional benefit of vaccination in healthy children is minimal. ... However, with most children Read more about COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe cases in children

EXPERT Q&A: The origins of SARS-CoV-2

Publicly released: Fri 18 Aug 2023 at 1030 AEST | 1230 NZST

As the debate continues about the origins of COVID-19 and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the AusSMC asked Professor Dominic Dwyer, a Medical Virologist at Westmead Hospital and the University ... of Sydney, to Read more about EXPERT Q&A: The origins of SARS-CoV-2

Undermining science undermines us all

Publicly released: Fri 18 Aug 2023 at 1030 AEST | 1230 NZST

to the origin of SARS-CoV-2 reflects a worrying pattern of deliberate undermining of public trust in science at a time when policymakers need to inform their decisions with rigorously ... The current Read more about Undermining science undermines us all

Racism and discrimination linked to poor mental health in young Aussies during COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 18 Aug 2023 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Australian Journal of Social Issues

likely to have experienced racism or discrimination, and were more likely to have their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The study also found that experiences of discrimination, racism and Read more about Racism and discrimination linked to poor mental health in young Aussies during COVID-19

New rapid test for deadly mozzie-borne virus

Publicly released: Thu 17 Aug 2023 at 1700 AEST | 1900 NZST

Gates Open Research

We developed a rapid test, with results that look similar to a COVID-19 home stick test, for each of the four types of dengue virus,” Dr Macdonald said. ... She said the innovative method involved a Read more about New rapid test for deadly mozzie-borne virus

Pandemics likely have negative effects on our bubs

Publicly released: Thu 17 Aug 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

researchers, who add that similar patterns are recently being seen for COVID-19. ... exposed to both the 1918 pandemic and COVID-19. Read more about Pandemics likely have negative effects on our bubs

These 52 US doctors spread a heap of COVID-19 misinformation

Publicly released: Wed 16 Aug 2023 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Fifty-two doctors in the US spread COVID-19 misinformation online about vaccines, treatments, and masks, and many had a wide reach based on their number of followers, according to US ... Communication of Read more about These 52 US doctors spread a heap of COVID-19 misinformation

The pandemic made more Kiwis care about the environment

Publicly released: Tue 15 Aug 2023 at 1102 AEST | 1302 NZST

Environmental Development

Many New Zealanders who were previously unconcerned about the environment, have started aspiring for a greener post-Covid future, according to a new survey of nearly 1000 people. ... The change was seen Read more about The pandemic made more Kiwis care about the environment

Hookworms could offer protection from severe COVID-19 symptoms

Publicly released: Sat 12 Aug 2023 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

Science Immunology

new. Most recently we’ve seen this effect in the Covid pandemic, where it is thought that people recovering from a SARS-CoV-2 infection have a few weeks of relative ... The result was that these helminth Read more about Hookworms could offer protection from severe COVID-19 symptoms