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Roundworm associated with lower lung-function and Asthma in younger males

Younger male exposures to Ascaris roundworms show striking reductions in lung function and nearly five times higher odds of having asthma. The study highlights a previously overlooked risk factor for respiratory health in Europe.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 4, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research may identify infants who face high asthma risk after viral lung infections

Researchers found that the risk of developing asthma in infants depends on a complex interplay among the infecting virus, airway microbial composition and function, and the infant's immune response. Infants with distinct metatranscriptome profiles had unique risks of developing asthma by age five.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2021

Melatonin exacerbates asthma discovers research group

A research group from Tohoku University discovered that melatonin, a sleep hormone, exacerbates asthma by potentiating bronchoconstriction. Melatonin weakens the relaxing effect of bronchodilators through the activation of the melatonin MT2 receptor.

SourceTohoku University·DateDec 10, 2021

Asthma may reduce risk of brain tumors -- but how?

Researchers found that asthma causes immune cells to behave in a way that prevents brain tumor growth, suggesting a potential new therapeutic approach. The findings suggest reprogramming T cells to act like those in asthma patients could be a new treatment for brain tumors.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2021

‘Super trees’ may help save Houston … and beyond

A new study ranks live oaks and American sycamores as champions among 17 "super trees" that can mitigate air pollution and climate change in urban areas. The research provides a three-part framework for selecting suitable trees, identifying high-impact planting sites, and engaging with community leadership to make the project a reality.

SourceRice University·JournalPlants People Planet·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 9, 2021
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.

Allergic conditions linked to lower COVID-19 infection risk

A large UK study found that individuals with atopic diseases like eczema or hay fever had a 23% lower risk of developing COVID-19. In contrast, people of Asian/Asian British ethnicity and those in crowded households faced a higher risk. The study suggests that some risk factors for severe disease may differ from those for infection.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThorax·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2021

Children with well controlled asthma less likely to be bullied/teased by peers

A study of over 950 children with asthma found that those with well-controlled symptoms were less likely to be bullied, but reported worse control if teased about their condition. Children who experienced bullying/teasing were more likely to report activity restrictions and had poorer asthma control.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2021

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: Children with poorly controlled asthma at higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and should be prioritized for vaccination

A national analysis found that children with poorly controlled asthma are more likely to require hospitalisation than those with well-controlled asthma or without asthma. Vaccinating this group can reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and associated illness.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2021
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.

Biased beta-agonists may provide better control of asthma and other obstructive lung diseases, drug discovery study shows

A University of South Florida Health-led team discovered a lead candidate that selectively relaxes airway smooth muscle cells with no detectable drug desensitization. The biased beta-agonist, C1-S, offers a therapeutic option for asthma and obstructive lung diseases without the rapid loss of effectiveness seen with traditional β-agonists.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

High consumption of cow’s milk associated with higher risk of developing preclinical type 1 diabetes in genetically predisposed children

A study by Katariina Koivusaari found that high cow's milk consumption is associated with a higher risk of developing preclinical type 1 diabetes in genetically predisposed children. The study also linked high-temperature treated infant formula to an increased risk of asthma in children.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPediatric Allergy and Immunology·DateNov 18, 2021

New clinical practice guideline on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) to help guide asthma treatment

The American Thoracic Society has published a clinical practice guideline on the use of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) to guide asthma treatment. The guideline recommends using FeNO in addition to usual care for patients with asthma whose treatment is being considered, suggesting this may be eligible for the measurement.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 17, 2021

Featured articles from the journal CHEST, November 2021

The November issue of CHEST journal includes 69 articles on topics such as asthma, COPD, critical care and thoracic oncology. The journal also offers complementary web and multimedia activities to expand the reach of its research.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·JournalCHEST Journal·DateNov 8, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

D​​​​espite climate change, kids with asthma in Los Angeles didn’t have an increase in allergy diagnoses

A new study followed 5,000 kids with asthma in Los Angeles for 15 years and found no significant increase in allergic sensitizations to environmental allergens. Despite rising temperatures and pollen loads, children with asthma were not more likely to become sensitized to specific pollens.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·JournalAnnals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 5, 2021

Most young people with asthma haven’t been prepared to transition to adult asthma care

A new study reveals that many young adults with asthma are not prepared to transition to adult asthma care. The survey found that half of all respondents did not receive sufficient transition preparation from their pediatric providers, highlighting the need for better education and support.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·JournalAnnals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology·TypeSurvey·DateNov 5, 2021

New monoclonal antibody shows promise for severe asthma

Itepekimab, a novel monoclonal antibody, has been found to be safe and effective in treating moderate-to-severe asthma. In a phase 2 trial, it significantly improved lung function and reduced asthma control events compared to placebo.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 28, 2021

Severe asthma symptoms worsen when treated with psoriasis medicine, study finds

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a psoriasis medicine worsened symptoms in patients with severe asthma. The trial tested risankizumab, an injectable treatment for psoriasis, and showed it did not improve asthma symptoms, but rather made them worse.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 28, 2021

Fermented soybeans suppress asthma-induced airway inflammation

A new study published in Nutrients found that consuming fermented soy product ImmuBalance reduces eosinophilic-related inflammation in the bronchi of asthma model mice. The researchers also discovered a suppression of proteins that induce eosinophilic inflammation, suggesting beneficial effects for allergic asthma.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalNutrients·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021
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.

Researchers awarded $12 million to pursue personalized therapies for severe asthma

A group of researchers led by Indiana University School of Medicine's Benjamin Gaston will receive a research program project grant to fund the development of personalized therapeutic approaches for severe asthma. The grant will support three key projects focused on S-nitrosylation signaling, airway pH regulation, and androgen signaling.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·DateOct 18, 2021

Social disadvantage in the UK has a lasting impact on childhood asthma

A UK study found that social disadvantage in early childhood increases the risk of developing persistent asthma by 70%, with nearly two-thirds of the risk attributed to early life exposures. This highlights the need for public health measures and policies to support families and improve housing conditions.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThorax·TypeObservational study·DateOct 15, 2021

Adults with asthma needed for healthy diet study

A University of Illinois Chicago clinical trial aims to evaluate the impact of a healthy diet on asthma management in adults. Participants with uncontrolled asthma will be assigned to either an education-only group or a group receiving dietary counseling and guidance on the DASH eating plan, a diet approach proven for hypertension mana...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·DateOct 14, 2021
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Childhood asthma study uncovers risky air pollutant mixtures

Researchers developed a novel machine learning algorithm to identify previously unknown air pollutant mixtures linked to poor asthma outcomes in children. The study found that early exposure to individual and mixed pollutants can lead to longer-term problems with asthma, affecting about seven percent of US children.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 7, 2021

Allergic stimulation activates mast cell precursor cells

Researchers at Uppsala University found that allergic stimulation activates mast cell precursor cells, which can produce cytokine IL-13 contributing to asthma development. This challenges the idea that only mature immune cells are involved in immune reactions.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Study identifies key risk factors for early COPD among US Hispanic/Latinos

A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital identifies asthma, history of smoking, and chronic sinusitis as key risk factors for early COPD among US Hispanics/Latinos. The prevalence of early COPD was found to be 7.6 percent in this population, suggesting younger individuals are also susceptible to the disease.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateSep 17, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Study explores why asthma worsens at night

Researchers investigate how the internal circadian clock affects asthma severity. The study found that people with worse asthma experience greater drops in pulmonary function at night, and exhibit more symptoms-driven bronchodilator use during nighttime hours. This understanding could lead to new treatments for asthma.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 6, 2021

Physical activity during pregnancy is linked to lung function in offspring

A study of 814 babies found that those born to physically inactive mothers had lower lung function compared to those born to active mothers. Regular physical activity during pregnancy may reduce the risk of impaired infant lung function, potentially improving respiratory health later in life.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2021
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Bisexual adults more than twice as likely to have asthma as straight adults

A new national study published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that bisexual Americans had over two times the rates of asthma and other lung diseases compared to heterosexual adults. Higher levels of discrimination experienced by bisexual people may lead to increased stress, inflammation, and worsened asthma.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 3, 2021

CT scans suggest possible lung destruction in some asthmatics

A novel CT scan-based approach detects changes in lung tissue indicating emphysema and airway constriction in patients with asthma. This finding may explain why conventional anti-inflammatory treatments are ineffective in some asthmatics, paving the way for personalized management of the disease.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateAug 24, 2021

Breathe easy: New research to improve inhaler effectiveness

Researchers have modelled how drugs are delivered to the respiratory tract via an inhaler to better treat lung diseases. Finer drug particles of around one micron are better able to travel further into the lungs.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 10, 2021

To avoid severe COVID-19 outcomes, people with asthma should stay on top of the condition with control medication during the pandemic

Researchers found individuals with well-controlled asthma have significantly lower odds of hospitalization and ICU admission compared to those with uncontrolled asthma. Asthma patients using their medications showed a decrease in worsened COVID-19 outcomes.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalThe Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology In Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 10, 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Precision treatment for severe asthma targets a specific mutation

A new clinical trial aims to test a personalized treatment for severe asthma targeting a specific mutation found disproportionately in people of color. The trial, led by Boston Children's Hospital, will test dupilumab, an existing drug that blocks the mutated IL-4 receptor, in patients with and without the mutation.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·DateJul 21, 2021

Common household products should carry asthma warnings, research concludes

A new evidence review finds that commonly used household products increase the risk of asthma due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by paints, cleaning products, and more. The study suggests labelling these products with health warnings and advising people to ventilate their homes while using them.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateJul 10, 2021
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.

First months decisive for immune system development

A study published in Cell found a connection between breast milk, beneficial gut bacteria and the development of the immune system. The researchers discovered that babies whose intestinal flora can break down Human Milk Oligosaccharides have less inflammation in the blood and gut.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell·DateJun 17, 2021

Asthma medication use and exacerbations

A new study suggests that exempting asthma medications from the deductible in high-deductible health plans may reduce medication use and exacerbations in children, but not adults. The research found small decreases in annual fills for some controller medications among children switching to HDHPs.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMay 25, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Type 2 diabetes medication shown to benefit asthma patients

A new class of diabetes medication, GLP-1 receptor agonists, has been shown to improve asthma symptoms and reduce lung inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study found that these medications can help control asthma exacerbations and reduce breathing symptoms.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·DateMay 20, 2021

Triple-drug therapy safely cuts serious asthma flares

Researchers found that adding a third drug to dual-drug inhalers can reduce severe asthma exacerbations and improve asthma control in children, adolescents, and adults with moderate-to-severe asthma. The study included data from 20 randomized controlled trials involving almost 12,000 patients.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJAMA·DateMay 19, 2021

E-cigarettes associated with wheezing, shortness of breath

A web-based survey found that e-cigarette users had a higher risk of asthma, wheezing, and shortness of breath compared to non-users. The study also showed that past 30-day e-cigarette use was associated with increased respiratory symptoms even after controlling for cigarette and cannabis use.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 14, 2021
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.