A study of 577 children living in Puerto Rico found that closer proximity to major roads was associated with higher levels of interleukin 31, a cytokine promoting allergic inflammation. This increase in IL-31 levels is linked to increased asthma risk and severity in genetically susceptible children.
A new study warns that the UK's fungal asthma problem is much worse than previously thought, with an estimated 300,000 adult cases. Invasive fungal infections, such as invasive aspergillosis and Candida bloodstream infections, are common and often fatal if left untreated.
A study found that teens with asthma are twice as likely to smoke as their healthy counterparts. Despite knowing smoking is bad for health, they often smoke to manage anxiety and stress.
Children who live at least half a mile away from a grocery store have higher rates of asthma, with 21% vs. 17% for those closer to a store. Limited access to fresh produce increases asthma risk.
Two studies show that schools implementing asthma care programs and vaccinating children with asthma against the flu can significantly improve attendance rates. A total of 90% of students were able to return to class after receiving treatment, compared to 11% without access to these services.
Achieving optimal asthma control results in a 30% reduction of healthcare costs, with greater savings for obese patients. The study also found higher spending on asthma drugs yields net savings in total asthma costs.
Researchers have identified a protein called PP5 that is significantly upregulated in the lungs of severe asthmatic patients, blocking the effectiveness of anti-asthma drugs. This discovery provides a potential new target for developing novel treatments for severe asthma.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found that neonatal vaccination with certain bacteria can prevent adult asthma in mice. The protective effect is due to the selection of specific immune system B cells that produce IgA antibodies, which bind and inhibit allergens before triggering asthma.
A team of researchers led by Wayne State University will use naturalistic observations and next-generation genetic sequencing techniques to identify everyday family behaviors that impact youth asthma. The study aims to develop novel, developmentally sensitive interventions to reduce asthma morbidity and inform family-based interventions.
Researchers at James Cook University have identified a protein secreted by hookworms that suppresses asthma in mice and shows promise as a treatment for humans with allergies. The study builds on previous research into possible treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.
Children develop IgE-antibodies to specific dust mite molecules early in life, often before disease onset, with 'molecular spreading' increasing risk of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Early sensitization and parental hay fever are key risk factors.
A team of researchers from Wayne State University will test a technology-based intervention to improve medication adherence among African American emerging adults with moderate to severe persistent asthma. The goal is to enhance illness management and health outcomes at a low cost.
A large-scale study found that foster care children are significantly more likely to experience depression, behavioral issues, and physical health problems like asthma and obesity. Children who have been in foster care were compared to those who hadn't spent time in care, as well as those living in different family arrangements.
People with epilepsy are seven-fold more likely to experience discrimination due to health problems than the general population. Adverse life events such as discrimination may be an important factor in the development of depression and anxiety disorders among individuals with epilepsy.
Children with hard-to-control asthma have distinct features that distinguish them from those with easy-to-control asthma. These include bronchodilator responsiveness, nasal inflammation, and allergy, which impact response to treatment. Early identification of key assessments may help personalize treatment approaches for these patients.
Researchers found a subset of children with asthma exhibiting few allergies yet suffering from frequent symptoms, challenging traditional treatment guidelines.
A study of 1329 adults with asthma found that active individuals had slightly less decline in lung function than inactive ones. Active asthmatic adults experienced 44 to 88 mL less decline in peak expiratory flow during follow-up.
A year's course of benralizumab injections significantly decrease asthma exacerbation rates, improving lung function and total asthma score. The treatment also shows promise for reducing hospitalization risks among those with severe uncontrolled asthma.
A new Cochrane Review found that taking an oral vitamin D supplement can reduce severe asthma attacks requiring hospital admission or emergency department attendance. The review of seven trials involving 435 children and 658 adults with mild to moderate asthma showed a significant reduction in risk, with no increase in side effects.
Research suggests that antenatal factors contribute to life-long respiratory wellbeing of children, with larger fetuses having a reduced risk for asthma and better lung function. The study found an association between reduced fetal size and increased asthma risk, as well as reduced lung function in children aged 5-15 years.
Overweight women and underweight boys are at higher risk of asthma hospital admissions in early adulthood. The study analyzed data from over 300,000 schoolchildren and found a significant link between childhood BMI and adult asthma admissions.
A new study found that breastfeeding can decrease respiratory symptoms in infants with asthma-related genetic profiles by 27%. The study, which included 368 infants from Switzerland, sheds light on how gene-environment interaction can be modified by breastfeeding.
A combination of formoterol and budesonide found to be safe and effective in treating moderate to severe asthma, with a lower risk of exacerbations than single-therapy budesonide. The therapy showed no significant increase in serious adverse events, providing reassurance for healthcare providers.
A new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that respiratory viral detection, not child's age, explains the high rate of hospitalization for asthma attacks in children under six. The study confirms the overall effectiveness of standard treatment when adjusted to the severity of the attack.
A recent study found that the UK spends at least £1.1 billion on asthma care each year, resulting in approximately 1000 deaths and 270 hospital admissions daily due to severe attacks. The majority of these fatalities are preventable with proper basic care.
A new study found that children with a history of food allergy are more likely to develop asthma and allergic rhinitis, with rates roughly doubling in those with peanut, milk, and egg allergies. The study analyzed data from over 1 million urban and suburban children.
Research suggests that genetic influences on asthma are more pronounced when exposed to early life environmental factors, such as viral respiratory infections. Children with a specific variant of the PAI-1 gene and a history of severe lower respiratory tract infections have an increased risk of developing asthma.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded BRI a five-year, $8 million grant to collaborate with UW Medicine and SCRI on immune system responses to allergens in the lungs. This study aims to inform new treatments for allergies and asthma.
A new study found that young children with mild, persistent asthma can tolerate acetaminophen without worsening their symptoms. The study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, compared acetaminophen to ibuprofen in 300 children aged 1-5 years old.
A study of 300 children with mild, persistent asthma found that acetaminophen was not associated with worsening asthma symptoms compared to ibuprofen. The results suggest that acetaminophen can be used safely in children with this condition.
A randomized trial led by Boston Children's Hospital found no difference between acetaminophen and ibuprofen in treating pain and fever in children with mild persistent asthma. The study enrolled 300 children aged 1-5 years old and showed that both medications were effective in controlling asthma symptoms.
A study led by the University of Leicester found that a new asthma pill called Fevipiprant significantly reduced symptoms and improved lung function. The drug was shown to decrease inflammation and repair airway linings, offering hope for severe asthma sufferers.
A new study finds that a child's home address can identify families at risk of severe asthma due to socioeconomic hardships. The address is linked to zip code and census data to target resource allocation.
A new study found that people with asthma living near larger or bigger fracking industry wells in Pennsylvania are 1.5-4 times more likely to experience asthma attacks. The researchers identified a significant increase in asthma attacks among patients living closer to these wells, particularly during the production phase.
A study of over 35,000 patients with asthma found that living near areas with high residential unconventional natural gas development activity was associated with a higher risk of asthma exacerbations. The study estimated air pollution and exposure metrics using distance, well characteristics, and phase duration.
Researchers at UW-Madison and Purdue University have solved the atomic structure of rhinovirus C, a cold virus linked to severe asthma and respiratory infections in children. The findings provide a foundation for future antiviral drug and vaccine development against the virus.
Researchers found significant differences in hospital practices for treating children with asthma, including varied costs and resource use. The study's template matching tool enabled a more refined comparison of hospitals' resource use at the patient level.
Researchers found a statistically significant 20% increase in childhood asthma cases exposed to the Great Smog in utero or early childhood. The study suggests a strong possibility of a causal link between early childhood exposure to air pollution and later development of adult asthma.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that Medicaid status has little effect on inpatient costs, length of stay, and use of intensive care units for children hospitalized for asthma. The study analyzed over 17,000 pairs of pediatric asthma patients from 40 major US children's hospitals.
Patients with asthma who use illicit drugs and have low socioeconomic status are at higher risk of requiring intensive care. Not adhering to prescribed asthma medication also increases this risk.
Researchers at the University of Queensland are testing a new drug that targets IL-33 protein to slow or reverse asthma development. The drug has shown promise in mouse model research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Researchers have identified specific microRNAs that play a crucial role in inducing asthma, providing a potential new target for treatment. The findings suggest that regulating these miRNAs could represent a novel therapeutic approach for asthma.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed simplified patient-centered consent forms that were equally effective but more engaging than traditional lengthy forms. Video formats also improved comprehension, with participants reporting feeling more engaged in the consenting process.
Researchers developed a wearable system called Health and Environmental Tracker (HET) to monitor users' environment, heart rate, and other physical attributes to predict and prevent asthma attacks. The system uses novel sensing devices, including a spirometer, to track lung function and feed data into the system.
Research found that high arginine levels support metabolic pathways that reduce airway inflammation in asthma. Elevated arginine metabolism in human cells and mice improved mitochondrial function to offset inflammation.
Researchers at KARBio LLC and Genentech Inc. discovered that targeting human CRTh2 (hCRTh2) depletes immune cells implicated in asthma-associated inflammation, reducing cytokine production and lung inflammation in asthmatic mice. The study's findings support further exploration of hCRTh2 as a therapeutic target for asthma treatment.
A study of 417,494 older adults with COPD, asthma, or both found a significant increase in nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease among current and former inhaled corticosteroid users. Researchers identified fluticasone as a potential contributor to the increased risk.
A study of 701 Canadian adults found that 30% of those diagnosed with asthma did not have current asthma after medication withdrawal. Careful testing revealed no evidence of airflow obstruction or bronchial hyper-reactivity in 37.5% of subjects.
Parents of children with asthma who experienced a teachable moment and received motivational smoking cessation counseling were more than twice as likely to quit smoking. Long-term in-home and telephone counseling also improved quit rates and reduced hospitalizations and missed school days due to asthma.
Nearly half of patients with severe asthma had very poorly controlled symptoms over a decade, associated with comorbidities and poorer lung function. Persistent VPC asthma was linked to higher disease burden, compromised lung function, and lower medication adherence.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found a link between persistent childhood asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in early adulthood. Children with low lung function at a young age were more likely to develop COPD later in life, regardless of treatment or smoking exposure.
A nationwide clinical study aims to prevent and cure asthma in children at high risk, using a bacterial extract as treatment. The study enrolls over 1,000 babies from 6 to 18 months old and documents whether they develop fewer asthma symptoms than those receiving a placebo.
The Maryland Climate and Health Profile report highlights the state's vulnerability to climate change, with extreme weather events increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses, heart attacks, and severe asthma attacks. The report projects higher rates of these health issues in future decades, particularly among coastal communities.
Researchers found that increased asthma-related tweets correlated with higher rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The study used real-time Twitter data to predict asthma emergencies, suggesting a potential tool for early intervention and prevention.
A University of Maryland School of Public Health study found that extreme heat and heavy rainfall increase the risk of asthma hospitalization in Maryland. The study showed a 23% increase in hospitalizations during summer months, particularly among children.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that dexamethasone was effective in treating mild to moderate asthma in ER patients with only slightly higher relapse rates compared to a 5-day course of prednisone. The single-dose medication eliminates prescription adherence barriers such as forgetfulness and cost.
A new Cochrane Review suggests that yoga may have a beneficial effect on symptoms and quality of life in people with asthma. However, the effects on lung function and medication use are uncertain. Researchers found some moderate quality evidence that yoga exercise reduces the impact of asthma on people's quality of life.
A study found that a house dust mite immunotherapy tablet improved time to first moderate or severe asthma exacerbation when added to maintenance medications. The treatment reduced the risk of exacerbations and increased allergen-specific antibodies.
Researchers have identified a biological pathway in mice that explains the ineffectiveness of current asthma therapies. The discovery highlights the role of neuropeptide NPY in airway hyper-responsiveness and constriction. Inhibiting NPY activity may help alleviate asthma symptoms, providing hope for millions of patients.
Researchers at Penn and Rutgers have identified a biological pathway that explains why current asthma therapies don't work well in many cases. The discovery highlights the potential for targeting non-inflammatory aspects of asthma, with neuropeptide Y emerging as a key player.