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New asthma research opposes current drug treatment, says UH prof

A new study supports a University of Houston professor's theory that blocking the beta-2 adrenoreceptor receptor instead of stimulating it could be a safer and more effective strategy for long-term asthma management. The research, published in PNAS, reveals that a mouse model without the key gene produces fewer asthma-like symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2009

New treatment reduces severity of asthma attacks in preschoolers

A new treatment has been shown to reduce the severity and duration of asthma attacks triggered by colds in preschoolers. The study found a 50% decrease in asthma attacks requiring oral steroids and a 20% reduction in illness duration, improving symptoms and quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 22, 2009

NO help: Nitric oxide monitoring does not help most children with asthma

A recent study found that daily nitric oxide monitoring did not significantly improve treatment outcomes for children with mild to moderate asthma. Despite a reduction in medication dose, both groups showed an impressive overall improvement in symptoms.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 7, 2009
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Breathing easier

A new screening tool developed by Tel Aviv University researchers may help doctors advise young asthmatic adults on safer employment options and prevent asthma attacks triggered by physical exertion. The study found an indisputable connection between exercise and asthma, which could save lives.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalOccupational Medicine·DateJan 5, 2009

Fungal pill could provide asthma relief for 150,000 UK sufferers

Researchers discovered that pills used to treat fungal infections improve symptoms of asthma in those with an allergic reaction to fungi. Nearly 60% of patients taking the drug showed significant improvement.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 29, 2008

Anti-fungal drug offers great benefits to some with severe asthma

A study by The University of Manchester found that patients with severe asthma and allergic sensitivity to certain fungi experience significant improvements in quality of life and lung function after taking an antifungal drug. However, symptoms often return after treatment is stopped.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 29, 2008
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Mayo Clinic study finds increased risk of pneumococcal disease in asthma patients

A recent Mayo Clinic study found adults with asthma are seven times more likely to develop invasive pneumococcal diseases, a serious and potentially fatal condition. The researchers recommend including asthma as an indication for pneumococcal vaccination in adults, which could significantly reduce instances of this disease.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateDec 19, 2008

Asthma: Commonly used medication shows no clear benefits in children

A new study concludes that long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs) offer no additional benefit to conventional preventative medications in children. LABAs, such as salmeterol and formoterol, can improve lung function but do not reduce asthma symptoms or hospital admissions.

SourceWiley·JournalEvidence-Based Child Health A Cochrane Review Journal·DateDec 9, 2008

Place of birth contributes to asthma disparity

A study by Tufts University researchers found that US-born black adults are more likely to have asthma, with 30% diagnosed compared to 11% of those born outside the US. The study also found higher asthma rates among children born in the US.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalJournal of Asthma·DateDec 1, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Fall babies: Born to wheeze?

Children born four months before the height of cold and flu season have a greater risk of developing childhood asthma than children born at any other time of year. The study found that birth timing is independently linked to asthma development, with autumn babies facing the highest risk.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 21, 2008

Asthma over diagnosed in one third of Canadian adults

A longitudinal study of 540 adults found that approximately one third of Canadians with physician-diagnosed asthma do not have asthma when objectively tested. Obesity is linked to increased asthma rates in North America, but overdiagnosis may be more common than previously thought, particularly among obese adults.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 17, 2008

Asthma prevalence in Chinese adolescents

Researchers analyzed 13,223 school children aged 13-14 from four locations to investigate asthma prevalence. The study found that asthma symptoms were lowest in mainland China, highest in Canada-born individuals, and varied among Hong Kong residents.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 17, 2008

Visualizing asthma-causing immune cells at work

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed noninvasive methods to visualize eosinophils in real-time, revealing the impact of dexamethasone on allergic airway inflammation. These techniques may improve diagnosis and treatment assessment for asthma.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 6, 2008
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

CHEST 2008: Featured abstracts

Researchers found that in-home photography can identify asthma triggers, while omega-3 fatty acid levels may affect sleep apnea severity. Seasonal asthma patterns show a peak in the fall, and in-hospital statin use is associated with lower mortality rates in patients with severe sepsis.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateOct 28, 2008

New treatments in chest medicine presented at CHEST 2008

Researchers present new approaches to identifying asthma triggers using in-home photography, while tadalafil shows promise as an adjunct therapy for PAH. In-hospital statin use may lower mortality rates in patients with severe sepsis. Flexible bronchoscopy also proves safe for retrieving aspirated metallic pins from Muslim scarves.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateOct 28, 2008

CHEST 2008: New research in pediatric chest medicine

Asthma health-care utilization peaks in the fall, with emergency department visits increasing by 2.4 to 5.6 times higher than in summer. Swimming is found to be an effective nonpharmacologic intervention for children with asthma, improving pulmonary function and severity of symptoms. Virgin coconut oil may also aid in treating pediatri...

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateOct 28, 2008

New research about chronic lung disease presented at CHEST 2008

Researchers found that in-home photography may be a cost-effective alternative to professional visual home assessments for identifying asthma triggers. Additionally, health-care utilization for children with asthma peaks in the fall, while tadalafil shows promise as an effective therapy for pulmonary hypertension. In-hospital statin us...

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateOct 28, 2008

CHEST 2008: New asthma and allergy research

Researchers explore cost-effective methods to identify asthma triggers, seasonal changes in children's asthma, and the effectiveness of swimming, Thai Chi, and nasal sprays as nonpharmacologic interventions. These studies suggest that these alternatives may be more effective and less expensive than traditional treatments.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateOct 28, 2008
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Wheezing and asthma in young children

Young wheezing children are often underdiagnosed due to symptoms similar to common childhood illnesses. Asthma diagnosis is challenging, requiring assessment of symptom frequency and patterns.

SourceIndiana University·JournalClinical Pediatrics·DateOct 7, 2008

Children's asthma affected by parental expectations

A study found that children with high parental expectations for normal functioning have less severe asthma symptoms and use medications correctly. Parents' perceptions play a key role in controlling their child's asthma, particularly if they follow a routine for taking medication.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateOct 6, 2008

Childhood wheezing with rhinovirus can increase asthma odds 10-fold

Researchers identified rhinovirus as the biggest contributor to future asthma development in children. Wheezing with RV during early childhood increased asthma odds by nearly 10-fold, with children who wheezed at three years of age facing a 30-fold risk.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateOct 1, 2008

Monitoring exhaled nitric oxide does not help manage asthma

A new study found that measuring exhaled nitric oxide in adolescents with asthma did not improve disease control. Despite initial improvements, participants who received treatment with exhaled NO monitoring had similar asthma symptoms and exacerbations as those without

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 19, 2008
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Asthma: still more questions than answers

Research has identified distinct pathogenic phenotypes, or endotypes, of asthma that can lead to improved classification and targeted treatment efforts. Additionally, studies have shown associations between paracetamol use in infancy, gene-environment interactions, and the risk of developing inflammatory airway disease.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 18, 2008

Maternal diet can increase development and severity of asthma in offspring

A study by John Hollingsworth at Duke University Medical Center found that a maternal diet rich in methyl donors can increase the development and severity of asthma in mice offspring. The researchers discovered that genes modified by methylation due to methyl donor exposure were likely responsible for this increased risk.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 18, 2008
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Rhinitis, with or without allergies, is linked to adult-onset asthma

A large prospective study found that rhinitis is a powerful predictor of adult-onset asthma, with non-allergic and allergic rhinitis groups showing significant increased risks. The study suggests that treating allergic rhinitis may reduce the incidence of asthma, but more research is needed to confirm this.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 18, 2008

Steroids not as effective in obese asthma patients

Researchers at National Jewish Health found that glucocorticoids are 40% less effective in overweight and obese asthma patients than in those of normal weight. The study suggests a potential mechanism involved in the resistance, which could lead to therapeutic targets for future medications.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 16, 2008

More findings on gene involved in childhood asthma

Researchers have identified a gene variant associated with childhood asthma in European children, and also found it plays a role in asthma of any severity level among white American children. Further studies are needed to determine if other genes outside the region occupy by ORMDL3 contribute to asthma susceptibility.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateSep 15, 2008
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Heavy breathing -- an obscure link in asthma and obesity

A recent New Zealand study investigated the relationship between obesity and asthma, ruling out systemic inflammation as a common factor. Despite not finding evidence of its involvement, researchers suggest that other possibilities, such as changes in innate immunity or dynamic lung function, may be worth exploring.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 29, 2008

Physical and sexual abuse linked to asthma in Puerto Rican kids

A recent study found that children who experienced physical or sexual abuse were more than twice as likely to have asthma. The researchers also discovered an association between stress, violence, and decreased glucocorticoid response, leading to airway inflammatory responses.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 29, 2008

Asthma monitoring on the Web

Researchers at Texas Instruments have developed a low-cost, portable spirometer using microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology. The device can measure airflow and volume in a patient's lungs and is ideal for remote monitoring by healthcare workers.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateAug 22, 2008

Asthma in boys may be just a phase, but for girls it may be there to stay

Girls are more likely to experience persistent asthma, whereas boys tend to outgrow the condition. After nine years of monitoring, researchers found that girls' airway reactivity did not change significantly over time, while boys became increasingly tolerant to larger doses of methacholine.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 15, 2008
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Asthma, outdoor air quality and the Olympic Games

Athletes with asthma face increased risk of symptoms due to high minute ventilation and poor air quality during exercise. Individualized management plans are crucial to comply with anti-doping regulations.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateAug 8, 2008

Hey fever! The surprise benefit of allergies

Research led by the University of New South Wales found that individuals with atopic diseases such as asthma and hay fever are up to 40% less likely to develop NHL if they have multiple conditions. Chronic atopy is associated with a reduced risk, particularly in B-cell NHL cases.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·DateJul 28, 2008
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Heart researchers receive grant to study asthma

A team of University of Iowa investigators are applying findings from heart research to the study of asthma, focusing on an enzyme known to play a role in heart failure. They aim to learn more about airway smooth muscle cells and their response to the enzyme CaM kinase II.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateJul 25, 2008

Scientists identify how gastric reflux may trigger asthma

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that inhaling stomach fluid can drive the development of asthma by altering the immune system's response. This study suggests chronic micro-aspiration of gastric fluid may be a key factor in linking GERD and asthma, offering new directions for treatment options.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 21, 2008

Stomach bug appears to protect kids from asthma, says NYU study

A new study led by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers found that children who carry Helicobacter pylori are nearly 59% less likely to have asthma. The bacteria, which has co-existed with humans for at least 50,000 years, may strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJul 15, 2008
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Note to pediatricians: Taper meds in kids with stable asthma

A study by Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that 40% of pediatricians wouldn't reduce medication doses even if a child is well-controlled. The researchers suggest that pediatricians might benefit from a step-by-step tool to apply treatment guidelines and use different disease dimensions in their practice.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJul 7, 2008

Asthma risk increases in children treated for HIV

A federally funded consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine found that children treated for HIV are at higher risk of developing asthma. CD4 cells increase in these children, leading to inflammation in lung tissue and worsening asthma symptoms.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJul 1, 2008
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Complexity of Crohn's disease revealed as 'gene' count tops 30

A study published in Nature Genetics has identified over 30 genetic regions associated with Crohn's disease, revealing surprising links between the condition and other common diseases like asthma. The research also highlights the complexity of the disease, suggesting hundreds of genes may be involved.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 29, 2008

Pharmacists as educators can improve asthma outcomes

A new study found that up to 90% of people with asthma use their inhalers incorrectly, leading to poor control and increased healthcare costs. Pharmacists who received training on correct inhaler technique and provided personalized stickers for patients showed significant improvements in asthma severity and patient behavior.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalPatient Education and Counseling·DateJun 23, 2008

Caesarean sections associated with risk of asthma

A new study based on data from 1.7 million births found that babies born by Caesarean section have a significantly higher risk of developing asthma in childhood. The study also revealed an even greater association between emergency Caesarean sections and the development of asthma.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJun 18, 2008