A high-dose flu vaccine has been shown to reduce hospitalizations for older people with lung disease, including COPD and asthma. The vaccine reduced hospital admissions for flu or pneumonia by 8.8% compared to the standard-dose vaccine.
Researchers found changes in brain structure, including white matter organization and region size, in people with severe asthma compared to those with well-controlled mild or moderate asthma. Inflammation levels were also linked to white matter changes, suggesting a possible connection between inflammation and brain changes.
Research from Austria and Ireland shows that nicotine addiction remains a major health concern, with vaping and smoking increasing among children and young people. The studies found that smoking has declined, but vaping has risen, particularly among those under 18, and that people are taking up smoking at a younger age. The findings hi...
A new study found that weight loss injection semaglutide may reduce asthma attacks by up to 40% in people with airways diseases like asthma and COPD. Semaglutide also led to a 20% reduction in COPD flare-ups.
A clinical trial shows that laughter therapy can reduce breathing difficulties and is as effective as traditional breathing exercises in COPD patients. Patients who underwent laughter therapy had less difficulty breathing and better overall health compared to those who received traditional breathing exercises or no treatment.
A large Europe-wide study has found that smoking leads to increased loneliness, with current smokers reporting higher levels of loneliness and social isolation. The study suggests that smoking damages psychosocial health in addition to physical effects, and highlights the need to challenge the social norms surrounding smoking.
A recent study found that AI chatbots incorrectly reassure sleep apnea patients that their symptoms are not serious, discouraging them from seeking specialist assessment. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, increasing the risk of complications such as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
Research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress found common bacteria in classroom dust, such as Streptomyces and Mycobacterium spp., are associated with reduced lung function in children. Children exposed to classrooms with higher levels of these bacteria had lower forced vital capacity, FEV₁, and PEF.
A new study found that babies born with a higher genetic risk for COPD showed reduced lung function growth between birth and six years old, especially in areas with high air pollution. This suggests that early-life environment, including air pollution, may contribute to the foundations of the disease.
Researchers found that patients with lung cancer had more detectable microplastics and higher microplastic burdens in their lung wash and tissue samples. The study suggests a link between microplastics and lung disease, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types of plastic.
A study found that overuse of reliever inhalers increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart attack, and ischemic stroke, in asthma and COPD patients. Using three or more inhalers per year is associated with increased risk of death, particularly in patients without a prior history of cardiovascular disease.
A recent study has found that vaping and smoking can lead to reduced blood vessel functionality, breathing efficiency, and exercise capacity in young adults. The research, conducted on 75 people aged 18-30, revealed a 15% reduction in fitness compared to those who have never smoked or vaped.
Researchers developed an app to monitor daily voice changes, which can detect early signs of exacerbations in asthma and COPD. By analyzing tone, pitch, pauses, and voice quality, the TACTICAS study found that voice deteriorates as symptoms worsen, allowing for potential treatment.
Research published in ERJ Open Research suggests that assessing hospital patients' reported shortness of breath could help doctors prioritize care for those at high risk of death. Patients who developed shortness of breath were six times more likely to die than those who did not, with a higher rating indicating greater risk.
A major study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that heatwaves increase the risk of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) by 13% during peak heatwave periods. The risk is higher when humidity is also high, with a 1.1% increase for every 1°C rise in nighttime temperature.
Researchers found tiny air pollution particles sticking to red blood cells after exposure to roadside pollution, which can travel to organs like brain and heart. Wearing an FFP2 face mask reduces the amount of particles stuck to red blood cells.
A new study found that exercise-based rehabilitation programs can improve immune cell function in individuals with post-COVID syndrome. This leads to reduced inflammation and symptoms such as fatigue and joint pain. The research suggests that exercise may help restore a more normal, well-regulated immune system.
A global study found that children under 14 years old lose nearly 8.45 million years of healthy life due to second-hand smoke exposure. The study, presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress, highlights the disproportionate burden on low-socio-economic regions.
Research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress found a link between indoor wood burning and decline in lung function. The study used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging and found that people using solid fuel stoves had lower FEV₁ values, indicating increased risk of respiratory complications.
A study found that people whose fathers began smoking at age 15 or younger show signs of faster biological aging compared to chronological age. This accelerated aging is linked to a higher risk of diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and dementia. The researchers call for stronger efforts to prevent tobacco use in teenagers.
A multi-national study found that higher levels of air pollution are linked to worse symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in European patients. The study revealed a modest but measurable increase in the apnoea hypopnea index (AHI) for every one unit increase in PM10 concentration.
Research shows that remote monitoring of children's asthma can prevent hospitalizations by around 57%. The system helps keep symptoms under control, leading to better outcomes and lasting self-management skills. This innovative approach could revolutionize healthcare services for patients with asthma.
A gold-standard randomised-controlled trial found that specialised singing programmes can improve the symptoms and quality of life of people with lung disease, particularly those with chronic breathlessness. The SINFONIA study showed a significant improvement in quality of life for patients with COPD and ILD.
Research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress found that a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables can partially mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution on lung function. Women who consumed four portions of fruit per day or more appeared to have smaller reductions in lung function associated with air pollution.
A new robot-assisted bronchoscope has been shown to diagnose tiny lung tumors in hard-to-reach areas with over 84% success rate, more than three times higher than traditional methods. The technology enables accurate diagnosis in patients where conventional bronchoscopy offers no viable option.
Research suggests that exposure to dog allergens in the home may reduce the risk of developing childhood asthma by five years old. Babies with higher levels of Can f1, a dog skin protein, had around a 48% lower risk of developing asthma and better lung function.
A small randomized controlled trial found that blowing through a conch shell for six months reduced symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, including daytime sleepiness and breathing interruptions. The study suggests that conch blowing may be a simple, low-cost alternative to traditional treatments like CPAP.
Researchers found that COPD patients have a larger accumulation of carbon deposits in their alveolar macrophage cells, which grow abnormally large and cause inflammation. This buildup is associated with worsened lung function.
A major study found that taking the progesterone-only pill can increase asthma attacks in some women, especially those under 35 and using fewer asthma treatments. Women with eosinophilic asthma were also at a higher risk. The research aims to better understand why women are more likely to have severe asthma than men.
A study published in ERJ Open Research found that women are less likely to receive a lung transplant and wait an average of six weeks longer for one. Despite this, women who undergo transplantation have higher survival rates five years post-transplant.
Research reveals that people who use both vapes and cigarettes are less likely to quit smoking compared to those who only smoke or vape. Dual users tend to revert to only smoking cigarettes over time. The study suggests that taking up vaping while continuing to smoke will not help people stop smoking.
A major European survey found that seven out of ten homes are smoke-free, with countries like England and Ireland scoring high. In contrast, Greece and Romania have more than half of their homes allowing smoking. The researchers highlight the need for stronger tobacco control measures to protect children and adults from second-hand smoke.
Researchers use AI to predict COPD flare-ups based on daily urine tests, potentially allowing for proactive treatment and prevention. The study identifies biomarkers in urine that can forecast a flare-up seven days prior to symptoms.
A large study found that women with asthma are more likely to miscarry and require fertility treatment, but most can still have babies. The study analyzed reproductive outcomes for over 700,000 Danish women, finding higher rates of foetal loss and fertility treatment among those with asthma.
A clinical trial found that sulthiame, a drug used for epilepsy, reduces pauses in breathing and improves oxygen levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The treatment also alleviates daytime fatigue, suggesting it could be an effective alternative to existing mechanical treatments.
Researchers developed an AI model to detect lung disease in premature babies by analyzing their breathing patterns while sleeping. The Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model achieved 96% accuracy in classifying flow values as belonging to a patient with BPD or not, enabling early diagnosis and treatment.
Research found that smoking before 18 significantly increases the risk of developing respiratory symptoms like wheezing and phlegm by age 28. Smoking more cigarettes overall raises the risk even further. The study highlights the importance of preventing young people from starting to smoke.
A pilot study found that voice changes recorded on a smartphone can signal an impending flare-up of COPD symptoms. Researchers analyzed the voices of 28 people with COPD and discovered higher pitched tones and 'jitter' before an exacerbation occurred.
A study found that medical clowns can reduce hospital stays by an average of 43.5 hours and decrease IV antibiotic use for children with pneumonia. The clowns' visits also led to lower respiratory rates, heart rates, and inflammatory markers.
A study found that ChatGPT performed better than trainee doctors in assessing complex cases of respiratory disease in areas such as cystic fibrosis and asthma. The chatbot's responses were also scored higher for being human-like, while Google's Bard and Microsoft's Bing performed similarly to or worse than trainees.
A recent study presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress found that young vapers performed worse in exercise tests compared to non-vapers and smokers. The research showed that vaping was associated with lower peak exercise capacity, reduced oxygen consumption, and signs of blood vessel dysfunction.
Two studies found that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of hospitalization for respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD. Green spaces may actually increase emergency room visits for respiratory issues when combined with hay fever.
A study published by the European Respiratory Society found that hypertonic saline nasal drops reduced the length of the common cold in children by an average of two days. The treatment also reduced the need for medicines during illness and decreased family members catching a cold.
A large-scale analysis found that people eating healthy, plant-based diets were 19% less likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), while those on unhealthy diets were at a 22% higher risk. The study suggests that diet quality plays a crucial role in managing OSA risk.
Researchers found that people with OSA were more likely to use multiple strategies to stay alert while driving, which can indicate excessive sleepiness. This study suggests that asking about these coping strategies in the clinic could help doctors identify patients at risk of driving incidents and advise them appropriately.
A 12-week beetroot juice supplement reduced systolic blood pressure by 4.5mmHg and increased walking distance by 30 meters in COPD patients. The nitrate-rich supplement improved cardiovascular risk markers, suggesting potential benefits for everyday life and heart disease prevention.
Research found alterations in proteins that can affect autophagy, a self-eating process of damaged cells. Healthy newborns showed individual responses to prenatal exposure to air pollution, with some more vulnerable than others. The study aims to understand the impact on breathing problems during infancy and childhood.
A recent study has found that particular combinations of bacteria in day care dust are linked to an increased risk of wheezing in young children. Researchers identified four categories of microbiota, one of which was associated with a higher incidence of wheezing in children under three years old.
A phase I clinical trial shows that transplanting P63+ lung progenitor cells can repair damaged lung tissue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), improving breathing and quality of life. The treatment increased lung function, reduced symptoms, and even repaired mild emphysema in some patients.
A study of nearly 500,000 participants found that smoking shortens telomere length in white blood cells, a indicator of aging and cell regeneration. The more cigarettes smoked, the stronger the shortening effect, suggesting a link between smoking and accelerated aging.