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EMBARGOED: Mount Sinai Pulmonologists to Present New Research on Asthma and Sleep Disorders at ATS 2023 International Conference

Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System will present studies on pediatric pulmonary vascular disease, asthma, and sleep disorders. The findings focus on prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea and associations between diet and lung function decline.

Air pollution from oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual US health damages, contributes to thousands of early deaths, childhood asthma cases nationwide

A new study found that air pollution from the oil and gas sector has substantial adverse impacts on air quality and human health, resulting in 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and $77 billion in annual health costs. The pollutants nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and ozone from U.S. oil and gas production were respo...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 8, 2023

Domestic abuse exposure linked to increased levels of asthma and other atopic diseases

A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice found that women exposed to domestic abuse have a significantly higher risk of developing asthma and other atopic diseases. The research, led by the University of Birmingham, analyzed patient records and found a 52% increased risk of atopic disease ...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2023

Researchers help AI express uncertainty to improve health monitoring tech

Researchers developed an AI algorithm that allows electronic devices to express uncertainty when faced with unexpected data, improving cough detection technology. The new approach enables more precise detection with fewer sound samples per second, reducing computing power and addressing privacy concerns.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2023

Childhood asthma declines during COVID-19 pandemic

A new Rutgers study finds that childhood asthma diagnoses decreased by 52% in the US during the first year of the pandemic compared to previous years. Researchers attribute this decline to fewer colds and the practice of wearing masks, which may have reduced the risk of asthma triggers.

SourceRutgers University·JournalRespiratory Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 31, 2023

A comprehensive tool measuring burden of chronic conditions shows valid and reliable results compared to clinical surveys in patients with COPD, diabetes, asthma

A comprehensive tool assessing burden of chronic conditions shows valid and reliable results compared to clinical surveys in patients with COPD, diabetes, and asthma. The Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC) scale integrates patient experience into daily care, facilitating shared decision making and self-management.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 28, 2023

Breathing is going to get tougher

A new study finds that rising temperatures will increase harmful plant emissions and dust, leading to a 14% boost in air pollution. The degradation in future air quality from natural sources is predicted to be significant, with two-thirds of the pollution coming from plants.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateFeb 28, 2023

The far-reaching consequences of child abuse

A new study published by researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin found a significant link between early childhood trauma experienced by mothers and various health problems in their children. The research analyzed data from over 4,300 American mothers and their children, revealing that children of mothers with adverse experi...

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateFeb 24, 2023

Yeast used in production of cachaça can prevent asthma, study shows

A Brazilian study found that a strain of brewer's yeast can act as a preventive against asthma in male mice. Daily administration of the probiotic at a dose of 10 billion CFU/mL significantly reduced bronchial hypersensitivity and inflammation. However, airway and lung inflammation was not significantly reduced by lower doses.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProbiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins·DateFeb 22, 2023

Nematodes can help us detect indoor air impurities

Researchers developed a new method for measuring indoor air quality using transgenic nematode strains that produce fluorescence when exposed to harmful pollutants. The amount of fluorescence can be measured and used to detect various impurities in the air, including fungal samples, surfactants, and volatile compounds.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalPathogens·DateFeb 2, 2023

Across the US, white neighborhoods have more greenery, fewer dilapidated buildings, fewer multi-family homes

A nationwide study using Google Street View images found that predominantly White neighborhoods had better neighborhood conditions associated with good health, such as fewer neglected buildings and more greenery. In contrast, neighborhoods with residents who were primarily Black or of other minority races had fewer green spaces and mor...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2023

Older adults with asthma at high risk for depression during the COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study published in Respiratory Medicine found that older adults with asthma are at high risk of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately half of those with a pre-pandemic history of depression experienced a recurrence, while one in seven without a history of depression developed depression for the first time.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalRespiratory Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2023

Frequent visits to green space linked to lower use of certain prescription meds

Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that frequent visits to urban green spaces were associated with lower use of prescription meds for depression, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, and asthma. The frequency of green space visits was linked to a significant reduction in medication use, particularly am...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 16, 2023

NIH study links specific outdoor air pollutants to asthma attacks in urban children

A recent NIH study found associations between exposure to ozone and fine particulate matter and molecular changes in children's airways during non-viral asthma attacks. The study suggests that reducing air pollution could improve human health, particularly in urban communities with high-risk asthma populations.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateJan 4, 2023

Where do reproductive-age women receive preventive health care?

A UMass Amherst study reveals that 61% of wellness visits for reproductive-age women (15-49) were with OB-GYNs, while chronic condition patients also relied heavily on these specialists. Key preventive services like pap tests and pelvic exams were more common in OB-GYN settings, whereas lipid testing was rare.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalHealth Services Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 22, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act offers significant benefits for public health

The Inflation Reduction Act offers significant benefits for public health through its tax credits and financial incentives. The law aims to reduce the adverse health effects of climate change by targeting greenhouse gases, conventional air pollutants, and carcinogenic chemical contaminants. By providing a more politically feasible appr...

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 21, 2022

​​​​​​​Two yardsticks published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology – third on the way

Two new yardsticks have been published by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology to guide practitioners on treating eosinophilic esophagitis and managing cough in adults and adolescents. The yardsticks provide practical, evidence-based recommendations for clinical decision-making.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·JournalAnnals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology·DateDec 20, 2022

A way to make asthma drugs last longer

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have identified a new compound that can be added to existing asthma medications to make them more potent and longer-lasting. This approach could lead to improved symptom relief and reduced side effects for patients who require frequent doses.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2022

Salton Sea dust triggers lung inflammation

A University of California Riverside study found that Salton Sea dust triggers lung neutrophil inflammation in mice, with potential implications for asthma sufferers and other terminal lake regions. The research highlights the need for further funding to understand dust-triggered inflammation and its effects on human health.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2022

Commercial dishwashers destroy protective layer in gut

A new study by researchers at the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research found that commercial dishwashers' rinse agents can damage the gut's epithelial barrier, leading to chronic diseases. The study used human intestinal organoids and analyzed the effect of detergents and rinse aids on gut cells.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 1, 2022

Even in states with strong stock albuterol laws, school administrators fear liability

Despite Illinois' strong stock inhaler laws, school administrators cite difficulty obtaining prescriptions and liability concerns as barriers to implementation. A study found that 35% of stakeholders cited prescription issues and liability fears, highlighting the need for enhanced education and verbiage to alleviate these concerns.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·JournalAnnals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology·DateNov 10, 2022

Adolescents with severe obesity lost weight, kept it off, and erased comorbidities after bariatric surgery

A study by researchers from UTHealth Houston and the University of Miami found that adolescents with severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery before age 22 lost significant weight and experienced complete remission of comorbidities such as diabetes, asthma, and elevated lipids. The study's results show that these young patients c...

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 20, 2022

Second-hand smoke a possible asthma risk for future generations, study finds

Researchers found that children are more likely to develop asthma if their father was exposed to second-hand smoke as a child. The study also shows that the risk is higher for children whose fathers smoked themselves. Epigenetic changes may be responsible for passing on this increased risk through generations.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 15, 2022

Smoking around your young son could raise the risk of asthma for your future grandchildren

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that children are more likely to develop asthma if their father was exposed to second-hand smoke as a child. The risk is even higher if the father went on to become a smoker himself. The researchers suggest that smoking can damage health not only for smokers and their c...

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 14, 2022