Articles tagged with Asthma
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.
A study by researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that ELOVL6 deficiency increases ceramide levels, leading to enhanced airway inflammation and reduced treatment efficacy in patients with severe asthma. Modulating lipid composition may provide a novel approach for treating resistant asthma.
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...
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.
The January issue of the CHEST journal features a range of clinically relevant research on COPD, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary vascular disease. The journal's education portal offers continuing medical education (CME) credit for select articles.
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...
A study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found a link between recreational cannabis legalization and increased asthma prevalence among teens, especially minority racial and ethnic groups. Exposure to secondhand smoke is a key risk factor for asthma in children.
The American Thoracic Society will host ATS 2023 in Washington, DC from May 21-24. The event will cover the latest developments in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. Register now to attend or access recorded sessions.
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.
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.
A new study from the University of Virginia Health System found that mRNA booster shots increase the durability of antibodies to COVID-19. The boosters led to longer-lasting antibodies, even in those who had previously recovered from a COVID-19 infection.
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...
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.
Patent thickets and evergreening strategies hinder generic competition, leading to higher brand name drug prices. Generic entry can drop prices by 90%, affecting patient welfare. Patent expert Sean Tu advocates for a balanced patent system that promotes innovation while preventing monopolies.
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.
The December issue of CHEST journal features articles on COVID-19 lessons learned and future pandemic preparedness. The journal also explores various topics in chest medicine, including asthma, critical care, and sleep medicine.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have found that the inflammatory molecule LIGHT leads to airway remodeling and long-term breathing issues in severe asthma. Therapeutics targeting LIGHT could reverse airway and lung damage, offering a potential long-term treatment for asthma.
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.
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.
Researchers found that individuals with persistent asthma have higher levels of inflammation and artery plaque, which may increase heart attack or stroke risk. The study also highlights the importance of addressing risk factors for cardiovascular disease in people with persistent asthma.
Researchers discovered a new signalling pathway using enzyme FAAH to dilate bronchial tubes, which may lead to new treatment options for lung diseases. Asthma patients have lower levels of anandamide and other endocannabinoids in their bronchial system.
The November issue of CHEST journal features new guidelines for perioperative management, studies on COVID-19 treatment and COPD treatment, as well as research on sleep apnea and long COVID. These findings have significant implications for patient care and healthcare resource use.
Research finds that increased body weight is associated with higher levels of inflammation, signs of gut permeability, and poorer asthma control. The study suggests that targeting the gut could be an effective treatment target for improving asthma control in patients with obesity. Weight loss may also improve symptoms for these patients.
A new study identifies sexual activity as a potential trigger for asthma exacerbations, which can be managed with the guidance of an allergist. The authors suggest that discussing sex with an allergist can help patients avoid triggering flares and improve their quality of life.
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.
The October issue of CHEST journal showcases 43 clinically relevant articles on topics such as asthma, COPD, critical care, and sleep medicine. The journal also offers web and multimedia activities, including visual abstracts, to expand its reach.
Researchers found reduced lung function and scarring in mice exposed to e-cigarette vapor with or without nicotine. Female mice also showed increased body weight in adulthood. The study suggests vaping during pregnancy can have long-term health effects on offspring.
The Asthma Health Equity Index identified strong associations between race, ethnicity, and social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and tobacco use. The index has the potential to help healthcare providers identify and address disparities in asthma care.
A symptom-based screening tool identified children at high risk of pre-school asthma as early as age 3. This finding suggests the potential for routine screening in primary care settings to promote active disease monitoring and timely treatment.
A simple symptom-based screening tool, Childhood Asthma Risk Tool (CHART), predicts asthma risk in children as young as two years old. With 91% accuracy, CHART identifies high-risk kids and recommends follow-up actions to prevent hospitalizations.
The Center for Health Equity Research at NAU has received a $21 million grant from NIH to continue its work on health disparities among diverse populations. The grant will fund dozens of projects over five years, focusing on increasing basic research opportunities and access to resources for underrepresented communities.
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...
The September issue of CHEST journal features 40 articles on clinically relevant topics, including disparities in rural populations with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The journal also offers complementary web and multimedia activities to expand its reach.
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.
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...
Researchers developed a predictive test to assess asthma risk in babies, allowing for preventive treatments and potentially bypassing disease development. The test identifies a network controlled by the IRF1 gene that drives an exaggerated inflammatory response in children who develop asthma.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that psychological distress before COVID-19 infection was associated with a 32%-46% increased risk of developing long COVID and 15%–51% greater daily life impairment due to long COVID.
A University of Otago study found that retrofitting insulation can lower the onset of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma. Homes with retrofitted insulation showed a 10% reduction in chronic respiratory disease incidence, while children under 15 were 15% less likely to develop asthma symptoms.
A new study identifies nitric oxide as a key molecule in the β2-adrenergic receptor feedback loop, mediating airway relaxation. The research team discovered that preventing nitric oxide's feedback mechanism leads to a powerful airway relaxant. Mice with a specific mutation in the β2 AR gene are resistant to bronchoconstriction and asthma.
Researchers found that oil spill cleanup workers were 60% more likely to be diagnosed with asthma or experience asthma symptoms one to three years after the spill. The study linked specific chemicals, including BTEX-H, to increased asthma risk.
A monoclonal antibody, mepolizumab, decreased asthma attacks in Black and Hispanic children and adolescents living in low-income urban neighborhoods. The study identified three networks of genes associated with airway inflammation and asthma attacks that were reduced by the drug.
The August issue of the CHEST journal features 47 articles on clinically relevant topics such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary vascular disease. A highlighted article examines barriers to palliative care in interstitial lung disease.
Researchers at Aston University have developed a new approach to tackle one of the underlying causes of asthma, not just its symptoms. The treatment, which targets the structural changes made by asthmatic airways, shows promising results in mice, reducing symptoms within two weeks and returning airways to near normal.
A study found eight classes of health conditions common among pediatric obese patients, including respiratory and sleep disorders. The researchers used a pattern mining algorithm on electronic health records of 49,694 patients to identify clinically similar subtypes.
A new study published in Mucosal Immunology demonstrates that early exposure to antibiotics can cause asthma and allergies in children. Researchers found that antibiotics alter the gut microbiome, leading to unwanted immune responses and increased allergy risk in later life.
The American Academy of Family Physicians has been awarded a $31 million funding to conduct a large-scale study on the comparative effectiveness of asthma treatments. The study will focus on inhaled steroids and specific antibiotics, alone or together, in over 3,000 patients with asthma aged 12 and over.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved funding awards totaling $258 million to support 26 new research studies. These studies aim to fill evidence gaps and improve healthcare decision making for a range of high-burden conditions, including mental health, heart conditions, asthma, bone fractures, and sinus...
Researchers found associations between census-tract measures of social determinants, such as educational attainment and violent crime, with pediatric asthma morbidity rates. These findings suggest opportunities for community-based interventions to reduce pediatric asthma morbidity.
Researchers found that patients who switched to a different medication experienced a significant reduction in exacerbations, with 89% continuing treatment. The study suggests that different medications work for different people, making it essential to try alternative options.
The July issue of CHEST journal features 62 articles on clinically relevant topics, including asthma and COPD. The journal has received an Impact Factor of 10.262, an increase from 2020's Impact Factor of 9.410.
A study found that one in three children with asthma are readmitted to hospital, with most presentations being preventable. Gaps in care and lack of follow-up appointments contribute to high readmission rates. Interactive digital symptom monitoring and community-based education programs can help reduce readmissions.
Researchers have discovered a unique biochemical profile in severe asthmatic patients, which could lead to more effective treatments. The study found a decrease in carnitine metabolism in severe asthmatics, playing an important role in cellular energy generation and immune responses.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) says inadequate access to nutritious food negatively impacts the health of many Americans, exacerbating social factors and leading to various health issues. The ACP recommends strengthening the nation's food insecurity response and empowering physicians to address social drivers of health.
A new study found that Black and Hispanic children are more likely to develop asthma, even in well-resourced neighborhoods. Neighborhood characteristics at birth and race/ethnicity-based inequities may play a role in the development of childhood wheezing and asthma.
A new analysis by University of Pittsburgh scientists demonstrates that institutional racism, rather than race-based biology, worsens asthma severity in Black people. The study links discriminatory lending practices from the 1930s to long-term environmental and health inequities, particularly in historically redlined neighborhoods.
A study by Queen Mary University of London found that 26% of patients with asthma are overusing rescue inhalers, which can lead to poor asthma control and increased risk of severe attacks. By reducing SABA overprescribing, hospitals can see a 70% decrease in asthma-related hospital admissions.
Children are at higher risk of health changes due to air pollution and climate change impacts, including increased asthma rates and vector-borne diseases. Caregivers can take steps to minimize exposure by making personal and family changes such as using electric cars, reducing meat consumption, and improving indoor air quality.
Climate-related events and air pollution disproportionately affect socially and economically disadvantaged children, exacerbating health issues such as preterm birth, respiratory illness, and malnutrition. The authors emphasize the need for simultaneous adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect children's health.
The American College of Chest Physicians' flagship journal CHEST published its June issue featuring 58 articles on various chest medicine topics, including asthma and COPD. The journal is set to expand with two new open-access journals, CHEST Pulmonary and CHEST Critical Care.
A new study by University of Chicago researchers found epigenetic differences in airway cells of patients with asthma who have asthmatic mothers, contributing to the development of severe asthma. The findings suggest that impaired immune responses may be an underlying cause of lack of therapeutic response to corticosteroids.