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Working with engineered stone countertops can lead to silicosis, a lung disease

Working with engineered stone can lead to silicosis, a lung disease, as seen in a 47-year-old man who developed lung nodules after 10 years of exposure. The case highlights the need for regulatory reform, mandatory surveillance, and proactive worker education in industries using engineered stone.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeCase study·DateSep 21, 2026

New test could dramatically speed diagnosis of hard-to-detect lung infections

Researchers at Tulane University have developed a diagnostic platform that can identify the precise species of bacteria causing NTM lung disease infections within four hours. The platform, called CANDI, uses mucus from the lungs and other respiratory fluids to test for up to 15 clinically relevant species and subspecies of NTM bacteria.

SourceTulane University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2026

Study supports effectiveness of RSV preventive antibody treatments for infants and provides new way to monitor viral resistance

Researchers analyzed over 60,000 RSV sequences, finding rare resistance variants to monoclonal antibody treatments, supporting the effectiveness of preventive antibodies and vaccines for infants. The study provides a roadmap for future prevention tools and real-time surveillance to monitor resistance.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2026

Severe asthma linked to changes in brain structure

Researchers found changes in brain structure, including white matter organization and region size, in people with severe asthma compared to those with well-controlled mild or moderate asthma. Inflammation levels were also linked to white matter changes, suggesting a possible connection between inflammation and brain changes.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2026

Smoking has declined overall, but vaping has increased and people are starting to smoke at a younger age

Research from Austria and Ireland shows that nicotine addiction remains a major health concern, with vaping and smoking increasing among children and young people. The studies found that smoking has declined, but vaping has risen, particularly among those under 18, and that people are taking up smoking at a younger age. The findings hi...

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2026

Smoking leads to increased loneliness

A large Europe-wide study has found that smoking leads to increased loneliness, with current smokers reporting higher levels of loneliness and social isolation. The study suggests that smoking damages psychosocial health in addition to physical effects, and highlights the need to challenge the social norms surrounding smoking.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 6, 2026

New study urges clinicians to address sex-based disparities in pneumonia management

A new study highlights biological sex-driven disparities in pneumonia management, including underrepresentation in diagnostic tests and antibiotic underexposure for women. The study advocates for tailoring antimicrobial therapy more precisely and integrating sex- and gender-aware research protocols to reduce inequities.

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2026

Earlier menopause linked to higher risk of bronchiectasis

A new study published in the Journal of the COPD Foundation suggests that women with a shorter reproductive lifespan are at greater risk of developing bronchiectasis. The study of nearly 97,000 postmenopausal women found that hormone therapy use was associated with a 19% greater risk of bronchiectasis.

SourceCOPD Foundation·JournalChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation·DateAug 27, 2026

Wastewater may offer an early warning of pertussis outbreaks

Researchers at the University of Osaka found that pertussis-associated DNA in wastewater increased before reported cases, indicating a new early warning system for pertussis outbreaks. Wastewater surveillance has the advantage of capturing broader community-level trends, including mild or asymptomatic infections.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalEmerging Microbes & Infections·TypeObservational study·DateAug 26, 2026

Overuse of inhalers found to increase heart attack risk in asthma and COPD patients

A study found that overuse of reliever inhalers increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart attack, and ischemic stroke, in asthma and COPD patients. Using three or more inhalers per year is associated with increased risk of death, particularly in patients without a prior history of cardiovascular disease.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalERJ Open Research·TypeObservational study·DateAug 26, 2026

Delayed antiviral immune response in alveolar type 2 cells increases susceptibility to influenza virus in alveoli

Researchers found that alveolar type 2 cells mount slower interferon-driven antiviral defenses than type 1 cells, enabling higher viral replication in the alveoli. This study provides new insights into the primary site of influenza virus damage and opens up potential targets for antiviral therapy.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2026

Aston University research sheds more light on the antimicrobial properties of mānuka honey

New research at Aston University shows that mānuka honey's effectiveness against disease-causing bacteria cannot be attributed solely to its sugar content and methylglyoxal levels. The study identified additional bioactive compounds responsible for the antimicrobial activity, which may lead to the development of more effective honey-de...

SourceAston University·JournalMicrobiology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2026

Pet dog microbiota may protect young children from respiratory tract infections and reduce the need for antibiotic courses

A recent Finnish study found that exposure to dog-associated microbes in early childhood reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections and antibiotic courses. Dog ownership is linked to higher richness and diversity of microbiota, but not directly associated with reduced infection rates.

SourceFinnish Institute for Health and Welfare·JournalPediatric Allergy and Immunology·DateAug 3, 2026

Cognitive and physical limitations affect inhaler use in COPD

A new study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that nearly one-third of COPD patients demonstrate unacceptable inhaler technique, leading to smaller lung function improvements. Instructing patients to hold their breath for 5-10 seconds improves acute bronchodilation.

SourceCOPD Foundation·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateJul 9, 2026

From infancy to old age, nationwide China study maps how serious lung infections change across life stages

A nationwide China study analyzed 695,142 hospitalized patients and identified eight life-stage pathogen profiles, three co-detection networks, and marked male predominance in bacterial and fungal infections. The study found distinct shifts in microbes across infancy to old age, accompanied by sex disparities.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeObservational study·DateJul 2, 2026

Beyond the dust: Families describe daily health challenges near the Salton Sea

Research examines air quality and respiratory health among children in communities surrounding the Salton Sea, finding that outdoor dust events significantly affect indoor air quality. Families describe daily challenges of protecting children from dust and pollution, which can impact school attendance and overall quality of life.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalBMC Environmental Science·TypeSurvey·DateJul 1, 2026

Inhaled vitamin D has potential to improve lung function

Research suggests that inhaled vitamin D can protect against dust, pollution, and pathogens in the lungs, potentially improving outcomes for those with chronic lung disease. Human clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and explore the therapeutic benefits of direct lung delivery.

SourceCOPD Foundation·JournalChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 25, 2026

Discovery of severe pneumonia subtypes could lead to tailored treatments for life-threating disease

Severe pneumonia has been found to have three distinct biological subtypes, which differ in immune response and lung damage. These subtypes are linked to varying patient outcomes, with some recovering quickly and others remaining critically ill. The discovery could lead to personalized treatments for patients with severe pneumonia.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJun 23, 2026