When science meets the headlines, the SMCNZ is there to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science, health and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
This week, patience needed for understanding Omicron impacts, but data is being quickly gathered. Plus, more data on the effectiveness of Covid pills, dysregulated immune responses with severe Covid, severe Covid and subsequent mortality risks, and long Covid and chronic fatigue syndrome. Also, a further call to establish a global health threats council, and using smart watches as early warnings of infections. Two New Zealand papers - the lockdown impacts GPs, and assessing the utility of rapid antigen tests here.
This week, how vaccination can affect transmission and viral dynamics, immune responses to longer intervals between doses, three doses better than two, why Adenovirus-based vaccines may lead to increased blood clotting, and modelling vaccination impacts in NZ.
This week, more papers on boosted immune responses from additional vaccine doses, and the waning effectiveness against infection beyond three months. The difficulties of studying the impacts of vaccines on long Covid, vaccine safety for 12-18 year olds, correlates of protection for the Moderna vaccine, and new vaccines under development. Non-vaccine papers include a discussion about a new variant, an antiviral drug from a plant, how the lethality of infections changed in late 2020, accumulating evidence for the outbreak origin, and what we still don’t know about bat coronaviruses.
This week, papers on the effectiveness of “booster” doses, comparing vaccines in Mongolia, giving Novavax and flu vaccines at the same time, correlates of protection, and how well vaccinations correlate with infections and deaths at community levels. Non-vaccine papers include long Covid incidence and links to cytokines, assessing mental health impacts via healthlines, and mask effectiveness. It is easy to get swamped by all the research on coronavirus. New Zealand’s Science Media Centre is keeping track of much of it so you don’t have to. The Research Tracker is prepared by Dr Robert Hickson for the Science Media Centre New Zealand.
This week, the safety of vaccines for under 12’s, mRNA vaccines are more effective than adenovirus-based ones, and the immunity boost from a prior infection. Non-vaccine papers include discussions of Pfizer’s Covid pill, the millions of years of life lost to Covid, genetic factors influencing disease severity, and factors influencing transmission. It is easy to get swamped by all the research on coronavirus. New Zealand’s Science Media Centre is keeping track of much of it so you don’t have to. The Research Tracker is prepared by Dr Robert Hickson for the Science Media Centre New Zealand.
This week non-vaccine papers include the potential of long lasting immunity from natural infections, assessing the cognitive effects of Covid-19, potential new therapies, how infection disrupts the blood system, estimating infections early in the pandemic and in less developed countries, controlling infections in schools, and white-tailed deer as a possible reservoir for SARS-CoV-2.
This week, comparing the immune effective of vaccinations and natural infections, the benefits of a prior infection plus vaccination, effectiveness of mixing-and-matching vaccines and third doses, a skin patch vaccine delivery system, modifying vaccines for variants, comparing the neurological risks from Covid-19 and vaccinations, and the effectiveness of vaccines for immunocompromised people. It is easy to get swamped by all the research on coronavirus. New Zealand’s Science Media Centre is keeping track of much of it so you don’t have to. The Research Tracker is prepared by Dr Robert Hickson for the Science Media Centre New Zealand.
This week, papers on longer range indoor transmission and differences in infection risks among different essential workers. Plus, statin as an infective therapy, long Covid in younger people, wastewater testing can provide an early warning of new variants, genetic factors that may explain differences in infection outcomes, the limited risk opening up schools may pose, and seasonal patterns of infection.
This week, more on comparing vaccine effectiveness, third doses, and mixing-and-matching vaccines. Plus, incidence of asymptomatic infections, and the effects of vaccines on reducing Covid symptoms.
Vaccination will be required for all workers at businesses where customers need to show vaccine certificates, such as bars and hairdressers. This means about 40% of the country’s workforce will be subject to vaccine mandates in their jobs, including the health and education staff already announced. The timing of this move will coincide with the shift to the new Covid-19 Protection Framework.
All front-line staff in New Zealand who work in schools, early childhood education, and health & disability services, will soon be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Health workers must have both Covid shots by 1 Dec, while education workers – including administrators, maintenance staff and contractors – must be fully vaccinated by the start of January.
This week, papers on immune memory after natural infection, a very potent antibody, a promising RNA interference therapy, Delta infectiousness, the frequent occurrence of long Covid, and differing estimates of transmission risks within schools.
This week, data on the effectiveness of a third Pfizer dose, and papers on the effectiveness of vaccines against infections and hospitalisations, mixed vaccinations, and against variants of concern. Plus, the benefit of vaccines for pregnant women and within households.
This week comparing immune responses in natural infections and vaccination, declines in antibody and T cell responses, waning protection from infection, vaccine effects on transmission and long Covid, and the low risk of myocarditis. Non-vaccine reports include the effectiveness of Molnupiravir, Delta virulence, and the need for more frequent testing in Delta outbreaks.
This week’s non-vaccine studies include the prevalence of long Covid, the high rates of Covid-19-related deaths, understanding what happens in the lungs in severe cases, more research into viral origins, and a correlation between authoritarian views and infection rates.
The Science Media Centre New Zealand contributes to improved quantity, quality, breadth, and depth of science reporting through their work with a range of media outlets, reaching a large proportion of New Zealanders. The SMC also provides media training for experts through their Science Media SAVVY workshops.
The SMC was set up in 2008 to provide independent, trusted advice to journalists covering science-related stories. It is part of a global network of Science Media Centres, all of which aim to inform public debate and discussion on the major issues of the day by injecting evidence-based science into the news.
The Science Media Centre New Zealand contributes to improved quantity, quality, breadth, and depth of science reporting through their work with a range of media outlets, reaching a large proportion of New Zealanders. The SMC also provides media training for experts through their Science Media SAVVY workshops.
The SMC was set up in 2008 to provide independent, trusted advice to journalists covering science-related stories. It is part of a global network of Science Media Centres, all of which aim to inform public debate and discussion on the major issues of the day by injecting evidence-based science into the news.
