Research on asthma and respiratory disease. Covers brain-structure links, prevention trials, weight-loss drugs, and exercise for symptom control.
A new study links obesity to increased airway hyperresponsiveness, indicating that obesity is a risk factor for asthma. Meanwhile, specialists' awareness of asthma guidelines does not necessarily lead to better adherence and implementation of management practices.
A partnership between Xavier University, Daughters of Charity Services and Children's Health Fund is bringing reliable healthcare to children with asthma in New Orleans. The program uses a unique approach to deliver evidence-based care through community health centers and mobile clinics.
Researchers identify broccoli-based compound as potential therapeutic for COPD, and discover the protective role of TLR6 in reducing asthma severity. Additionally, a signaling pathway linking high blood glucose to platelet hyperreactivity is defined, offering new targets for therapeutics.
The Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc. has invested over $4 million in funding to implement the CHAMPS partnership in five non-profit health centers. The program aims to demonstrate effective asthma management tools in real-world settings where many children and families need care.
The study will investigate the impact of risky family environments on asthma morbidity in children aged 10-15 using an innovative home-based naturalistic assessment tool. The research aims to determine if asthma morbidity increases due to avoidant coping behaviors and poor management of asthma treatment.
Research at children's hospitals found high compliance with asthma care measures but not associated with lower emergency department usage or readmissions. The CAC-3 measure set evaluates home management plans, which may need refinement for better outcomes.
A study published in JAMA found that hospitals' compliance with the Children's Asthma Care measures had no impact on patient outcomes, including return to the hospital for another asthma attack. The researchers concluded that these measures may not be suitable for public reporting, accreditation, or pay-for-performance policies.
Researchers found a positive association between HRT use and asthma hospitalizations, with women taking the drug for over 10 years facing a higher risk. The study suggests that women on HRT may need to consider stopping hormone therapy if they experience severe asthma symptoms.
A study of 1,520 patients found that those with asthma admitted to hospital with H1N1 had less severe outcomes, including lower mortality rates and fewer intensive care needs. This was attributed to prompt admission, appropriate treatment, and regular inhaled steroid use.
A large-scale study found that mothers exposed to certain agents during pregnancy were more likely to have children with asthma. The Danish National Birth Cohort assessed over 42,696 children and found an association between maternal occupation and asthma prevalence among the children at age 7.
A genetic variant in the GLCCI1 gene may explain why some people with asthma do not respond well to inhaled corticosteroids. Researchers found that individuals with two copies of the variant responded only one-third as well to steroid inhalers as those with regular genes.
A new study finds that central obesity is a risk factor for asthma in adults, with those who are both centrally obese and overall obese being at highest risk. Researchers followed over 23,000 adults without asthma for 11 years to investigate the link between belly fat and lung disease.
Moderate alcohol intake of 1-6 units per week reduces the risk of developing asthma by less than 4% compared to rare or no drinking. Heavy drinkers and those who prefer beer are more likely to develop asthma.
Children with severe therapy-resistant asthma (STRA) have poorer lung function and worse symptoms due to lower levels of vitamin D. The study found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased airway smooth muscle mass, making breathing more difficult.
A recent study found that pregnant women who consumed low-fat yogurt with fruit daily had children more likely to develop asthma and allergic rhinitis. Milk intake during pregnancy was not linked to increased asthma risk but may offer protection.
Researchers developed an improved algorithm to tailor asthma treatment during pregnancy based on actual airway inflammation measures. The study found a significant reduction in asthma exacerbation rates among pregnant women using this approach.
A nationwide study confirms that children exposed to tobacco smoke miss more days of school than those living in smoke-free homes. Household smoking is associated with higher rates of respiratory illnesses and increased economic costs due to lost wages and time for caregivers.
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) criticizes the White House's decision not to issue a final standard on ozone pollution, which poses significant health risks. Scientific studies have linked high ozone levels to severe respiratory issues and even premature death.
The American Thoracic Society has issued guidelines on interpreting fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) levels in various clinical settings. FENO can detect eosinophilic airway inflammation, determine corticosteroid responsiveness, and monitor airway inflammation to guide treatment decisions.
A long-term study of WTC workers found a high incidence of asthma, PTSD, depression, and other conditions. Over one in five responders had multiple health problems, and nearly 10% experienced symptoms of all three.
A study by Al-Biltagi and Hemila found that vitamin C supplementation increased FEV1 levels by 37% in younger children with no mold exposure, while the benefit was smaller in older children. Vitamin C showed greatest benefit in mild asthma symptoms.
A University of Melbourne study found that wheezy toddlers who react to house dust mites are more likely to develop asthma by age 12. The study identified a strong correlation between sensitivity and severe wheeze and asthma.
Children of disadvantaged, unhealthy mothers experience a higher number of health issues and are more likely to suffer from asthma and learning disabilities. Their mothers' health problems can also place emotional and material burdens on children, heightening stress and anxiety.
Research published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found a significant association between pre-pregnancy obesity and asthma-like respiratory symptoms in adolescents. Teenagers whose mothers were severely overweight before pregnancy were 20-30% more likely to wheeze or have asthma.
A study published in Thorax journal found that sensory nerves detect allergens and trigger a 'late asthmatic response' several hours after exposure. Researchers discovered that anticholinergic drugs like tiotropium could alleviate symptoms, offering new potential treatments for asthma patients.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine identified a molecular pathway that helps explain how an enzyme elevated in asthma patients contributes to inflammation and mucus production. The study reveals unique interactions between biological molecules that could be targeted to develop new asthma treatments.
Infants exposed to moldy homes are three times more likely to develop asthma by age 7. The study, published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, analyzed data from 176 children and found that genetic factors also play a critical role in childhood asthma development.
Research at National Jewish Health found that poorly controlled asthma doubles healthcare costs, with children missing an average of 18 days of school annually. Proper education and supervision can improve asthma control and reduce costs, improving the lives and chances for success of affected children.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 801 pregnant women found a significant link between maternal magnetic field exposure during pregnancy and the development of asthma in their children. Women with high MF exposure were more than three times as likely to have an asthmatic child, highlighting the need for awareness about EMF health effects.
A Johns Hopkins study found that indoor air cleaners can greatly reduce household air pollution and lower daytime asthma symptoms. However, they did not counter all ill effects of second-hand smoke. The researchers recommend using air cleaners as a temporary tool to achieve a smoke-free environment.
Researchers identified three new susceptibility loci for adult asthma in the Japanese population through a genome-wide study of 4836 individuals. The findings provide insights into the genetic factors contributing to asthma and may lead to more effective treatment techniques.
A new national collaboration of asthma genetics researchers has identified a novel gene association specific to populations of African descent, including the previously unreported PYHIN1 gene. The study also replicated four other gene associations with asthma risk, offering promising insights into the genetic roots of the disease.
The hospital is participating in two new studies: one examining new treatments for wheezing in young children with colds and another investigating whether Vitamin D can help adolescents and adults control their asthma. The goal of these trials is to find better treatments for this common and often poorly managed condition.
A study of extremely low-birth-weight children found no increase in chronic health conditions and asthma between ages 8 and 14. However, obesity rates among these children increased during this period.
A study of extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) children found that chronic health conditions and asthma rates remained stable between ages 8-14. However, the obesity rate increased among ELBW children, mirroring the current obesity epidemic.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have been awarded $32 million to establish two Programs of Excellence in Glycosciences. The programs aim to better understand the roles of sugars in molecular mechanisms of disease, particularly lung and heart diseases.
Research suggests that mothers experiencing high levels of anxiety or depression during pregnancy are more likely to have children who develop wheezing before age 5. The study found a significant association between prenatal psychological stress and the risk of asthma in minority populations.
A Stanford study has linked gamma-interferon, a key immune molecule, to the severity of asthma. High levels of gamma-interferon in children's blood may protect against asthma development, but severe asthmatics' lungs often have high concentrations.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that traditional Korean medicine SCRT treatment alleviates asthma-like pulmonary inflammation via suppression of specific chemokines or proteins. The study, published online in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, suggests a potential mechanism for reduced inflammation.
Researchers analyzed over 5,000 children in rural Nepal to assess the impact of early-life vitamin A supplements on asthma development. The study found no difference in asthma risk or lung function between children receiving supplements and those not receiving them.
A University of Michigan study found that a heightened immune response to colds can exacerbate asthma symptoms. By tempering the immune response, asthma patients may experience reduced inflammation and bronchoconstriction following a cold infection.
Two new studies by UCSF researchers found that nearly one in six visits to doctors' offices for asthma complaints resulted in antibiotic prescriptions. The findings highlight the need for pediatricians to prescribe antibiotics more judiciously to prevent drug resistance. Additionally, researchers are investigating whether targeted anti...
A subset of severe asthmatics harbor infectious C. pneumoniae in their lungs, resulting in antibody production and increased asthma severity. Antibiotic treatment can significantly improve symptoms and even lead to a complete abolition of asthma symptoms.
Research suggests that children living in areas with limited sunlight are at higher risk of developing asthma. Vitamin D, synthesized through sun exposure, plays a crucial role in preventing the illness.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in treating various respiratory diseases. A new algorithm-based treatment for pregnant women with asthma has been found to be effective in reducing exacerbations. Additionally, a selective retinoid agonist may slow disease progression in emphysema, while sirolimus shows promise in patient...
Research found higher levels of cockroach allergens and increased sensitization among children living on NYC blocks with high asthma rates. Cockroach exposure was associated with a higher risk of asthma, highlighting the relevance of urban allergen exposure to public health.
A recent study found that patients who delay seeking emergency medical care for asthma exacerbations are more likely to be sicker and hospitalized than those who seek care earlier. The study also revealed that patients who postponed treatment were not more likely to consult physicians before coming to the emergency department, but rath...
A national survey of 1,621 parents found that concerns about vaccine side effects and respiratory infections are major factors preventing vaccination for children with asthma. The study suggests that physicians can play a key role in addressing these concerns and promoting vaccination.
A study found that African-American children are more likely to have poorer lung function and less well-controlled asthma upon their first visit to an asthma specialist. They also reported a greater burden from asthma, with more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit stays.
Researchers found that increased host antioxidant defense enzyme activity reduced asthma risk, while high levels of a specific enzyme decreased the risk. The study suggests regulating the body's antioxidant defense system may play an important role in preventing asthma.
Researchers have discovered new compounds that relax airway muscles, potentially providing relief for patients with asthma and COPD. The compounds, which work through a different mechanism than current bronchodilators, show promise as a new class of therapeutics for treating these diseases.
Researchers found that leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) can manage chronic asthma equally successfully as steroid inhalers when used in addition to steroid inhalers. This could provide an alternative for patients who struggle with inhaler use due to side effects or preference
Bhavnani's research uses advanced visual analytical methods to classify asthma patients, enabling targeted diagnosis and treatments. The study builds on molecular data from multiple institutions, demonstrating the potential of translational bioinformatics.
The La Jolla Institute has identified LIGHT as a promising therapeutic target for chronic asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions. Blocking LIGHT's interactions with its receptors significantly inhibited airway remodeling in mouse models of chronic asthma.
A new study by the University of Cincinnati reveals that urban adolescents with asthma who use integrative medicine like prayer or relaxation experience improved mental and physical health outcomes. The research found that spiritual struggles contribute uniquely to a patient's quality of life, beyond demographic variables.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison have successfully grown a recently discovered species of human rhinovirus (HRV) in culture using nasal tissue. This achievement sheds light on HRV-C, a new member of the HRV family, and its unique growth requirements, which may lead to new antiviral compounds.
A study published in Journal of Health Psychology found that individuals with asthma are 1.26 times more likely to be smokers and twice as likely to be nicotine dependent than those without asthma. The researchers suggest addressing tobacco use and dependence in relation to asthma care.
Scientists have discovered stapled peptides that can target proteins involved in colon cancer and asthma. These peptides, which are not small molecules, inhibit activity of key proteins in the body, offering a new frontier in medicine.
A study published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that a written action plan attached to the drug prescription improves asthma control in preschool-aged children. The provision of the plan significantly improved patient adherence to prescribed medications and physicians' recommendations.
Researchers found that interleukin-13 stimulates invasion of airway cells called fibroblasts in asthma patients, leading to increased thickness in airway walls and loss of lung function. The protein acts in combination with other mediators, including TGF-β1 and MMPs, to cause cellular changes that contribute to airway remodeling.