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Even short-term rises in air pollution are linked to more asthma emergency visits in Singapore

A nationwide study in Singapore found that short-term increases in fine-particle air pollution are associated with more asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related emergency department visits. The study analyzed 6.5 years of national air quality data and found a clear relationship between PM2.5 levels and admissions.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2026

Severe asthma linked to changes in brain structure

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.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2026

Bacterial trial fails to demonstrate early asthma prevention

A national trial found that treating young children with an oral bacterial extract did not reduce the risk of severe wheezing and respiratory illnesses that can precede asthma. The ORBEX trial, led by the University of Arizona, tested the preventive potential of OM-85, a treatment that had shown promise in earlier, smaller studies.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Lancet·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

Overuse of inhalers found to increase heart attack risk in asthma and COPD patients

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.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalERJ Open Research·TypeObservational study·DateAug 26, 2026

Beyond the dust: Families describe daily health challenges near the Salton Sea

Research examines air quality and respiratory health among children in communities surrounding the Salton Sea, finding that outdoor dust events significantly affect indoor air quality. Families describe daily challenges of protecting children from dust and pollution, which can impact school attendance and overall quality of life.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalBMC Environmental Science·TypeSurvey·DateJul 1, 2026

Why pollution affects some asthma patients more than others

A new study has identified biological pathways that explain why air pollution affects some people with asthma more than others. Researchers found that individuals with specific genetic variants are more susceptible to the harmful effects of fine particulate matter, and that targeted interventions may be able to blunt these effects.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 23, 2026

Gut fungi may hold the key to treating Asthma worldwide

Two studies found that certain fungal species in the gut play a key role in immune dysregulation and pediatric allergic diseases, positioning the infant mycobiome as a promising target for therapies. Infants' early-life antibiotic use may have a direct impact on these fungi, leading to immune dysregulation and allergic asthma.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 23, 2026

Study finds tezepelumab helps patients with severe asthma reduce oral steroid use while maintaining asthma control

The Phase 3 SUNRISE trial shows that tezepelumab nearly triples the likelihood of reducing daily oral corticosteroid dose in patients with severe, oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. Patients treated with tezepelumab achieve greater reductions in oral steroid use while maintaining asthma control and improving key clinical outcomes.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateMay 28, 2026

Mount Sinai experts to present new research on AI model that predicts lung nodule risk, impact of air pollution during pregnancy, and more at ATS 2026 International Conference

Experts from Mount Sinai will present a new AI model that predicts lung nodule risk and assesses the impact of air pollution during pregnancy. The researchers also explore cognitive consequences of sleep-disordered breathing and reevaluate asthma guidelines to integrate both conditions.

Antibiotic proves ineffective in treating wheezing in young children in the emergency room

A study led by University of Arizona researchers found that azithromycin did not improve symptoms in preschool children with severe wheezing. The trial results challenge the idea that certain types of bacteria contribute to wheezing and asthma, suggesting that viral infections play a more significant role.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 18, 2026

Children living near the Salton Sea in Southern California show slower lung function growth

A long-term study found children living near the Salton Sea have slower lung function growth, with effects comparable to freeway exposure. The researchers controlled for various factors and found that dust exposure was linked to lower lung capacity, suggesting potential long-term health implications.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 3, 2026

Inhaled microplastics and lung health

New research suggests that inhaled microplastics can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. Microplastics can also trigger inflammatory responses and deliver toxins directly into the lungs, highlighting a growing concern for lung health.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalFood Bioscience·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 16, 2026

Housing conditions and outdoor air pollution together affect children’s asthma risk, new ECHO study shows

A new study found that children growing up in homes with water damage and exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollution have a greater risk of developing asthma. The study also revealed that having a dog during infancy can reduce the risk of asthma in children.

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalEnvironmental Epidemiology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2026

Canadian wildfire smoke worsened pediatric asthma in US Northeast: UVM study

Research from University of Vermont reveals exposure to Canadian wildfire smoke worsened asthma symptoms in children in the US Northeast. The study found that smoke from hundreds of miles away affected children's health, highlighting growing health risks for the region as climate change fuels more smoke-filled summers.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalEnvironmental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 11, 2025

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: Monthly injection may help severe asthma patients safely reduce or stop daily oral steroid use

A new phase 3b clinical trial found that nearly 90% of severe asthma patients were able to reduce their steroid dose to a low dose after one year of treatment with the biologic medication Tezepelumab. The treatment also significantly improved asthma symptoms, lung function, and overall quality of life, while minimizing steroid use.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 26, 2025