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Study provides first evidence that fat accumulates in the lungs of overweight and obese people

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal has provided evidence that fatty tissue builds up in the airway walls of individuals who are overweight or obese. This accumulation alters the normal structure of the airways and leads to inflammation in the lungs, which may contribute to increased asthma symptoms.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateOct 17, 2019

Asthma changes obesity rate in black female teens living in disadvantaged neighborhoods

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans found that asthma status reversed the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and obesity in African American adolescent females. The study analyzed data from 129 participants and found that those with asthma were less likely to be obese compared to those without asthma.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalObesity Science & Practice·DateOct 2, 2019

Food insecurity in young adults raises risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma

A recent study by UCSF researchers found that young adults with food insecurity are more likely to develop disorders associated with obesity and obstructive airway diseases like asthma. Chronic stress from food insecurity can lead to inflammation, insulin resistance and increased risk of mental health issues.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 1, 2019

Attacking asthma in kids

Researchers are developing technology to predict when a child will have an asthma attack and provide prevention and treatment suggestions. The system tracks geographical location, physical activity, air quality, and health data using smart phones, watches, and sensors.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateAug 14, 2019

33% of new childhood asthma cases in Europe attributable to air pollution

A study published by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that air pollution from particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and black carbon is responsible for 33% of new childhood asthma cases in Europe, highlighting the need to update WHO air quality guidelines to better protect children's health.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateAug 7, 2019

Integrated, multi-'omic' studies of asthma could lead to precision treatment

Researchers from Mount Sinai highlight the importance of multidimensional data for stratifying a complex disease like asthma. Carefully designed, integrated multi-'omic' studies could accelerate precision medicine for asthma patients by defining asthma subtypes through transcriptomics and other omic approaches.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJul 2, 2019

Mount Sinai study reports asthma control in older patients and shows lower ED visits

A Mount Sinai study found improved asthma control and quality of life in older patients, with a significant reduction in emergency department visits. The study tested a patient-tailored self-management support intervention, which targeted social determinants of health and achieved meaningful improvements.

Occupational hazards account for more than one in ten people with range of lung diseases

A joint ATS and European Respiratory Society statement reveals that occupational hazards contribute to over 1 in 10 cases of non-cancerous lung diseases, including asthma and COPD. The study estimates the burden of these conditions, highlighting a need for policy makers to prioritize prevention among working women and men worldwide.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 31, 2019

Many with mild asthma, low sputum eosinophils respond equally well to steroids as placebo

A recent study of nearly 300 patients with mild persistent asthma found that inhaled steroids were no more effective than placebo in nearly three-fourths of the study patients. However, for those with high levels of eosinophils, inhaled steroids were better than placebo, suggesting a potential new approach to targeting specific therapies.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 19, 2019

Large genome-wide association study is first to focus on both child and adult asthma

A recent genome-wide association study found that childhood-onset asthma is associated with nearly three times as many genes as adult-onset asthma. The study identified 61 independent asthma-related genes, with most being specific to childhood onset. The findings suggest different mechanisms cause the inception of asthma in childhood c...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateApr 26, 2019

Critical errors in inhaler technique common in children with asthma

A recent study found that nearly half of children hospitalized for asthma demonstrate improper inhaler use, with adolescents being the most common offenders. The study highlights the importance of proper inhaler technique in managing asthma, particularly among older teens who may feel they no longer need a spacer device.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateApr 17, 2019

Identifying the grass pollen that gets up your nose

The study reveals that different grass pollens can cause varying reactions in allergy sufferers and people with asthma. By analyzing environmental DNA, researchers identified links between certain pollen types and days with increased asthma attacks or intense hay fever symptoms.

SourceBangor University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 8, 2019

TTI heat map shows relationship between traffic-related air pollution and childhood asthma

Researchers created an interactive heat map and city-by-city table detailing the distribution of childhood asthma due to traffic-related air pollution across the United States. Between 2000 and 2010, asthma cases attributable to traffic-related air pollution decreased by 33%, with over 140,000 cases reported in 2010.

SourceTexas A&M University Transportation Institute·JournalEnvironment International·DateApr 5, 2019