Researchers found that positional therapy leads to long-term behavior changes and improvement for patients with positional OSA. More than two-thirds of patients continued side-sleeping behavior even after stopping therapy, suggesting a potentially self-maintained therapeutic effect.
A new study published at ATS 2026 International Conference found that many patients who initially struggle to meet CPAP usage thresholds continue to use and benefit from the therapy. The research challenges long-held assumptions about CPAP adherence, suggesting that early struggles don't predict treatment failure.
A new study found that ozone pollution reduces the health benefits of exercising at recommended levels for children's lung growth. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,400 children and found that moderate activity did not show similar benefits as vigorous exercise, while ozone exposure was a key limiting factor.
Researchers identified a subgroup of patients who experience nearly twice the improvement in sleep apnea when treated with tirzepatide GLP-1. These strong responders have distinct characteristics, including severe upper-airway collapsibility and breathing control instability. The study aims to provide personalized treatment options for...
A new study published at the ATS International Conference reveals that patients with COPD or pneumonia experience poorer outcomes at private equity-owned hospitals. Hospital-acquired deaths among pneumonia patients increased by 1 percentage point compared to non-private equity hospitals.
A new study presents tezepelumab as a safe and effective treatment for severe asthma in underrepresented populations. The therapy reduces exacerbations by 70% and improves lung function, quality of life scores, and asthma control. It is particularly effective in patients with Type 2 asthma and those with comorbid COPD.
AD109, a new oral pill, successfully controlled obstructive sleep apnea by addressing its underlying mechanisms and preventing airway collapse. The drug showed significant improvements in breathing interruptions, oxygen levels, and disease severity category.
A new study shows that New York City's public housing mold intervention program significantly reduces asthma-related emergency department visits. The program, Mold Busters, improved ventilation and trained staff in evidence-based mold removal, leading to a 9 fewer asthma-related ED visits per thousand people.
A new study quantifies the economic burden of tuberculosis, revealing that it costs the world an estimated $1.35 trillion annually. The disease disproportionately affects economically productive years, trapping families in poverty and impacting workforce participation and national development.
A new study finds that pediatric pulmonary rehabilitation significantly improves exercise capacity, strength, and quality of life in children with chronic respiratory diseases. Spirometry, a key measure of lung function, remains stable but doesn't improve. The program is also associated with high patient and caregiver satisfaction.
The American Thoracic Society has launched a quality improvement initiative to tackle the underdiagnosis of bronchiectasis in the US. The study aims to investigate the scope of the problem and drive meaningful change in how the disease is identified and managed.
The American Thoracic Society has received a $50,000 donation from William Martin, MD, and his wife Joyce, to support the Public Advisory Roundtable (PAR), which aims to prioritize patients' experiences in ATS activities. This gift will help PAR elevate patient care and inform research endeavors to improve lung health worldwide.
The ATS 2026 International Conference will feature the ATS AI Lab Exposition Space, highlighting advancements in AI in healthcare. Keynote speakers Robert M. Wachter and Laurah Turner will discuss AI's impact on medical education and its future.
The American Thoracic Society's new Clinical Practice Guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for tracheostomy care in children. The guideline emphasizes the importance of applying ethical principles and involving caregivers in decision-making, with a focus on ensuring high-quality, family-centered care.
The American Thoracic Society has partnered with Oxford University Press to manage production and dissemination of its four peer-reviewed journals. The collaboration aims to expand the reach of ATS publications and maintain their high impact in respiratory research.
A new study by NYU Langone Health researchers found that the shutdown of a significant fossil fuel pollution source near Pittsburgh, PA resulted in immediate improvements in respiratory health. Respiratory related emergency visits decreased by about 20% within weeks after the plant's closure.
The American Thoracic Society has launched an initiative to provide paid time-off for employees participating in clinical trials. This effort aims to reduce barriers to participation, particularly among underserved communities, and promote diversity in medical research.
Four researchers have been awarded early-career grants from the ATS Research Program to study pulmonary vascular disease. The $100,000 grants will support investigations into pathways and pathophysiology of the disease.
A new study presents evidence that the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) is not an accurate measure of neighborhood health, particularly in areas with high costs of living. The Healthy Places Index (HPI), on the other hand, was found to be a better predictor of mortality risk for patients hospitalized with sepsis.
A retrospective study found that patients with ALS who used REM-suppressing antidepressants had a significantly higher two-year survival rate compared to those without such medications. This breakthrough suggests that inhibiting REM sleep may be a viable treatment option for ALS.
A new mouse study published at the ATS 2025 International Conference found that maternal air pollution exposure during pregnancy can increase asthma risk in adult offspring. The study also discovered lasting epigenetic changes affecting their lungs and immune response, which can persist for generations.
A new study finds that Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) can lead to long-term deficits in cognitive function and ability to perform daily activities. The study identified key risk factors, including older age, frailty, and worse baseline cognition.
A large study found an unexpectedly high frequency of pulmonary embolism in pediatric patients, equal to rates seen in adults. The study provides new criteria for clinicians to diagnose PE in children and raises questions about the need for earlier intervention.
A new study published at the ATS 2025 International Conference suggests that standard screening tests may misclassify delirium status in Spanish-speaking ICU patients. A newly developed Spanish-language screening tool called Spanish-FAM outperforms conventional practices and reduces disparities in care.
A deep learning model called Sybil can predict future lung cancer risk from a single low-dose chest CT scan. The model demonstrated good performance in predicting cancer diagnosis at both one and six years, including in never-smokers.
A new study found that ciliary dynamics play a significant role in the pathophysiology of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, with more severe cases showing distinct ciliary beat abnormalities. The study provides new insights into BPD mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
New research found that inhaled microplastics inhibit tissue maintenance functions of pulmonary macrophages. The findings suggest that exposure to microplastics can lead to long-term disruption of immune function and increase risk of cancer and other diseases.
Research at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center found that having a team therapist on the care team reduced nurse turnover and improved mental health outcomes. The study suggests embedding a professional therapist within the care team can be an effective way to support nurses' wellbeing, reducing burnout and improving resiliency.
A new study published at the ATS 2025 International Conference found that rising temperatures are associated with a 45% increased likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea. The study suggests that climate change will increase the societal burden of OSA, which is expected to double in most countries over the next 75 years.
A new wearable sensor has been shown to effectively monitor obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment response, offering a bridge between consumer wearables and medical devices. The device provides continuous data collection and connects to an app for patients and healthcare providers to share information and make informed decisions.
Researchers found methotrexate to be non-inferior to prednisone in controlling pulmonary sarcoidosis after 24 weeks of treatment, but had a slower onset of efficacy. The study suggests an alternative first-line treatment for patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis who want to avoid steroid side effects.
Under the new Composite Allocation Score (CAS) system, lung transplant waitlisted patients experienced lower mortality rates, particularly among the sickest patients. The CAS prioritizes medical urgency and other patient factors, leading to a 11.2% decrease in waitlist deaths from 2017 to 2023.
The American Thoracic Society's ATS 2025 International Conference will showcase cutting-edge research in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The conference will include breaking news from leading experts in the field.
The American Thoracic Society is opening media registration for ATS 2025, taking place May 18-21 in San Francisco. Registered journalists will have access to emerging scientists and clinicians discussing medical breakthroughs and clinical innovation.
A new American Thoracic Society report provides practical frameworks to address systemic racism in asthma care. The report highlights the need to engage affected communities and critically evaluate funding mechanisms to promote antiracism practices in research.
Irina Petrache, MD, has commenced her term as President of the American Thoracic Society. She was announced at the ATS 2024 International Conference and is a professor of medicine at National Jewish Health and University of Colorado.
A new personalized risk prediction tool may help identify newborns at highest risk for developing serious Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection. The tool, developed using readily available birth and postnatal data, has good predictive accuracy and internal validation.
Only 14.5% of adult patients with moderate or severe asthma are prescribed the recommended Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART) combination inhaler regimen. Older age and Medicare insurance are associated with not being prescribed SMART, suggesting providers may resist changing treatment regimens for these groups.
A nationwide cohort study found that ex-smokers who vape after quitting cigarettes are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer and dying from it. The study analyzed over 4 million individuals and categorized them into six groups based on their smoking history and habit change.
The Post-Acute Recovery Center (PARC) model has been associated with fewer deaths and more days outside of the hospital among veterans who received care after a serious illness. The study found that high-risk veterans who received PARC care had a median increase of four additional days at home compared to matched controls.
Research finds daily high temperatures and prolonged extreme heat events significantly increase risk of asthma hospital visits among children. Children from vulnerable populations are particularly affected by climate-sensitive events, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to mitigate health disparities.
A recent study found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was associated with improved pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular function in women. The researchers analyzed data from over 700 women with pulmonary hypertension and found that those who used HRT had lower mean pulmonary artery pressure and higher right ventricular fr...
A recent study published at the ATS 2024 International Conference found that hospitals caring for diverse patient populations experience strain that affects all patients, leading to higher mechanical ventilation mortality rates. The researchers suggest that systemic factors such as hospital resources and income levels contribute to dis...
Research found that race-neutral spirometry equations tend to decrease severity for white patients and increase severity for Black patients, leading to higher enrollment rates of Black patients in COPD clinical trials. This shift resulted in more Black subjects meeting typical inclusion criteria, while fewer white subjects were eligible.
A recent study found that 87.8% of families with medically-complex children reported having to make significant employment changes due to lack of in-home nursing. The study also revealed that 37.9% of families reported extended hospital stays solely due to lack of access to available in-home nursing.
A. Sonia Buist has donated $400,000 to the American Thoracic Society, making her the organization's highest lifetime donor. The gift will support the ATS/MECOR Women's Leadership Program, which aims to enhance leadership capabilities in African women.
The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has released the ATS 2024 International Conference Abstracts, featuring research on heat exposure and RSV among other topics.
The American Thoracic Society has recognized 15 individuals with the 2024 Respiratory Health Awards for their outstanding contributions to lung disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. These awards acknowledge leadership in research, education, or clinical care, as well as exemplary professionalism and humanism.
The ATS 2024 International Conference in San Diego will feature scientific sessions and expert interviews on the latest developments in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The conference will cover key subjects such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, and air pollution.
The American Thoracic Society will host its 2024 International Conference in San Diego, highlighting recent discoveries in respiratory science and patient care. Media registration is available until May 19-22.