Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
MIT researchers have found that lung cancers can use two different mechanisms to evade KRAS-inhibiting drugs, with some tumor cells developing resistance by amplifying the KRAS gene and others changing their tumor type, leading to new insights into treatment resistance and potential targets for new drugs.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key players in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases, modulating cellular senescence and immune-inflammatory responses. EVs facilitate aberrant intercellular communication, deliver pathogenic miRNAs and proteins, and promote chronic inflammation.
A UH study of 1,400 Maui adults found substantially elevated concentrations of metals in urine, associated with abnormal lung function. The study revealed complex exposure pathways, including those introduced by the wildfire and existing environmental factors.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered how SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF8 hijacks immune cells to cause hyperinflammation, leading to severe lung damage. Blocking ORF8 reduces lung inflammation and damage in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2, offering a promising new path for developing treatments.
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.
Researchers developed a device called MetaboSense that continuously tracks key indicators of lung health, providing transplant teams with more detailed information than current hourly testing. The technology could help identify more viable donor lungs and potentially rehabilitate organs that might otherwise be rejected.
The Gibbs Foundation has established a $4.5 million endowment for lung research at the University of Louisville, fueling groundbreaking respiratory disease research. This gift supports the advancement of ex vivo lung perfusion technology and improves patient care for acute and chronic respiratory conditions.
A national trial found that treating young children with an oral bacterial extract did not reduce the risk of severe wheezing and respiratory illnesses that can precede asthma. The ORBEX trial, led by the University of Arizona, tested the preventive potential of OM-85, a treatment that had shown promise in earlier, smaller studies.
The APCCMPD and CHEST Medical Educator Diversity Scholar Fellowship aims to improve diversity in respiratory care. Anna Brady, MD, will mentor a fellow-in-training to develop a personalized curriculum and research project. Applications for the 2027 fellowship are now open until November 2.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that socioeconomic inequalities are associated with reduced mobility and function in older adults, with poorer individuals experiencing larger declines in physical abilities. The research highlights the need for policies targeting people with less wealth to reduce health disparities in aging.
National Jewish Health researchers identified disease-associated gene activity in macrophages and changes in immune cell communication in lung tissue. These findings may lead to targeted therapies and improved diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Dr. Natalie Lui and her team are developing a molecular imaging agent, pan800, to identify lung cancer tumors during surgery. This technique aims to reduce complications and recurrence by enabling surgeons to achieve complete removal of tumors.
A new study found that children preparing for stem cell transplantation already have subtle respiratory abnormalities, including increased small-airway resistance and greater lung stiffness. These abnormalities are likely related to their underlying disease or previous therapies rather than the transplant itself.
Extracellular vesicles from liver cells can elicit a 'lipid counterstorm' that counters the effects of cytokine storms in mice. The treatment shows promise for treating inflammatory conditions such as sepsis, coagulopathy and colitis.
Aging cells become more susceptible to ferroptosis due to elevated levels of acid ceramidase, a previously targeted therapeutic candidate. This vulnerability can be passed to neighboring cells, impacting overall tissue health. The discovery offers new hope for supporting healthy aging and treating age-related diseases.
A single-group, open-label study found that olorofim, a novel antifungal agent, showed efficacy in patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis, a rare complication of Valley Fever. By days 42 and 84, about 76% and 73% of patients showed clinical improvement, respectively.
Researchers have found that stimulating a nerve in the external ear may help to ease inflammation in the lungs of mice. The study suggests a novel device could be developed to target inflammatory pathways and treat diseases like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Using the YEARS diagnostic algorithm is as safe as computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for diagnosing suspected pulmonary embolism in patients with cancer. This strategy saved 22% of patients from undergoing CTPA, highlighting its potential to streamline cancer care.
A study led by Erica Heinrich highlights a critical gap in detecting and treating breathing discomfort or dyspnea in ventilated patients. Dyspnea is often hard to recognize, but carbon dioxide levels may be more significant drivers of breathlessness than oxygen levels.
Researchers have validated a genetic scoring tool that can identify patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and predict clinical outcomes. The tool, which combines the effects of over 60,000 DNA variants, shows promise in distinguishing the disease from other forms of interstitial lung disease.
A new Mayo Clinic study shows that integrating telomere length evaluation and genetic testing into pulmonary care can significantly change how physicians diagnose and treat pulmonary fibrosis. Nearly 1 in 5 patients had a disease-causing genetic variant, leading to changes in clinical care for more than half of patients.
A new international consensus statement provides practical guidance for clinicians to identify, monitor, and treat RA-ILD. The experts outline key risk factors and recommend a team-based approach involving rheumatologists, pulmonologists, and other specialists.
A new study found significant regional differences in access to donor lungs for lung transplants in the US, with western states having lower availability. The revised lung allocation policy may exacerbate these disparities, prioritizing proximity to donors over patient needs.
A study has mapped the development of lung damage in young children with cystic fibrosis, revealing that immune abnormalities begin early in life and persist despite current treatments. The research found that targeted anti-inflammatory therapies may be necessary alongside existing medications to prevent permanent lung damage.
Experts from Mount Sinai will present a new AI model that predicts lung nodule risk and assesses the impact of air pollution during pregnancy. The researchers also explore cognitive consequences of sleep-disordered breathing and reevaluate asthma guidelines to integrate both conditions.
A study led by University of Arizona researchers found that azithromycin did not improve symptoms in preschool children with severe wheezing. The trial results challenge the idea that certain types of bacteria contribute to wheezing and asthma, suggesting that viral infections play a more significant role.
Researchers found that smoking substantially stiffens human lung parenchyma, making breathing progressively difficult. The study provides detailed mechanical data for human lungs, which may improve ventilator design and surgical planning tools.
A new study suggests that a visual measure of illness perception can effectively convey symptom-related quality of life for patients with chronic lung illnesses. The study found that patients' visual perceptions of their lung disease were equally effective as standard questionnaires and test results in predicting quality of life.
Researchers found a protein called RAB5c that helps white blood cells kill Aspergillus fumigatus, a common airborne fungus. Without this protein, immune cells are disarmed despite attacking at full force. The discovery could lead to new treatments for patients with weakened immune systems.
Researchers identified how Mycobacterium abscessus evades treatment and proposed a strategy to overcome resistance, offering a pathway towards more effective treatments. A combination therapy targeting both smooth and rough variants proved more effective than single-phage treatment.
A new study finds that pregnant women with low levels of a specific fatty acid molecule are more likely to have children with childhood asthma. The researchers also found that children of these mothers are more prone to respiratory infections and altered lung microbiomes.
A national survey of Australian tunnel construction workers found significant silica dust exposure risks, with many reporting barriers to effective dust control measures. The study calls for stronger regulatory enforcement and oversight to prevent preventable disease in the high-risk industry.
Researchers identified blocking ID1 and ID3 as a promising therapeutic strategy to halt and reverse lung scarring in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The approach showed significant reduction in lung scarring and improvement in lung function across multiple experimental systems.
A study by Ebenbuild confirms strong predictive performance of patient-specific lung digital twins, validated against clinical imaging data. The model's accuracy was demonstrated through a correlation coefficient of 0.95 with experimental data, enabling locally resolved predictions of aerosol deposition at the individual patient level.
Researchers developed an inhaled treatment to reduce lung inflammation and fluid build-up after severe infections. The therapy targets Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) and showed promise in preclinical studies.
Chronic breathlessness affects people's sex life, leading to reduced satisfaction and intimacy. People with breathlessness are 1.5 times more likely to report dissatisfaction with their overall sexual life.
A multidisciplinary research team at Texas A&M University has developed a faster and more accurate test for determining the risks of airborne chemicals to human lungs. The study uses lab-grown lung cell models and found that common pollutants like acrolein and formic acid can damage respiratory barriers.
A new CRRT prediction model for AKI following lung transplantation identifies high-risk patients post-LTx, supporting timely intervention. The model integrates preoperative, intraoperative, and early postoperative indicators to estimate CRRT risk.
A long-term study found children living near the Salton Sea have slower lung function growth, with effects comparable to freeway exposure. The researchers controlled for various factors and found that dust exposure was linked to lower lung capacity, suggesting potential long-term health implications.
A retrospective study of 40 immunocompromised ICU patients found associations between low CD4+T-cell counts and specific lung pathogens. Patients with severe CD4 depletion had higher proportions of fungal infections, while moderate immunosuppression was linked to Streptococcus pneumoniae.
A new study by UC San Francisco reveals that aging lung tissue can lead to catastrophic immune dysregulation, causing elderly individuals to become severely ill. The research suggests that targeting the damaged spiral of inflammaging could provide a promising therapeutic target for treating age-related respiratory diseases.
A UK-led clinical trial found that surfactant treatment offers no benefit for infants on life support with severe bronchiolitis. The treatment was designed to improve recovery for critically ill babies, but the evidence does not support this.
A new study reveals that p38 MAPK plays a key role in epigenetic regulation of fibrotic genes in lung fibroblasts, particularly in senescent cells. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK significantly reduced α-SMA and Col3A1 expression, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for treating age-related fibrotic diseases like IPF.
Researchers found that exposure to microbes induces a lasting immune memory in fibroblasts, protecting lungs from allergic reactions for months. This discovery opens up new possibilities for developing preventive strategies for respiratory allergies.
A new study has confirmed that male and female lungs are wired differently at the molecular level, revealing key gene networks driving sex differences in respiratory health. The research found that male lungs are more reactive to environmental triggers, leading to different disease experiences between sexes.
Inhaled polystyrene nanoparticles induce lung injury by disrupting redox balance and triggering inflammation. Oxidative stress leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, respiration impairment, and apoptosis in lung cells.
A new study from National Jewish Health reveals that exposure to burn pit smoke and desert dust can damage the lungs of military service members. The research found that particles linked to burn pit exposure cause stronger inflammation and stress in lung immune cells, leading to chronic breathing problems.
A study published in EBioMedicine found changes in blood samples from almost 1,000 people hospitalized for COVID-19 may pinpoint patients at risk of long-term lung disease. The study identified elevated levels of certain molecules, which could lead to the development of simple blood tests to detect ongoing lung problems.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about how bacteria swim upstream to cause infections, pointing to new designs for biomedical devices that can prevent contamination. The study found that wider channels with faster counterflows are more prone to invasion, but sharp corner designs can inhibit bacterial growth.
A study found that lung microbiomes play a significant role in pneumonia, with patients having oral-like pneumotypes more likely to recover. The researchers identified four distinct microbial patterns, or 'pneumotypes,' associated with different types of pneumonia.
Researchers create a simple, automated way of making lung organoids, which could help test early-stage experimental drugs more effectively. The bioreactor produces larger numbers of organoids with fewer manual labor requirements, offering promise for personalized patient treatments.
A European consortium developed a new decision-making framework to predict COPD exacerbation severity and prognostic risk, integrating three key factors: baseline health status, event intensity, and triggers. This framework, known as BAt model, aims to guide treatment strategies and improve consistency across clinical settings.
A cross-sectional survey of 29,268 participants found a significant association between dysfunctional breathing and respiratory conditions, as well as non-respiratory diseases like epilepsy. Tobacco use was also linked to increased prevalence of DB, particularly among those with comorbidities.
A recent study led by Dr. Leah Backhus found that lung cancer patients often receive inadequate posttreatment surveillance, which can lead to a substantial gap in care. The study estimated the true surveillance rates and predictors of guideline-concordant care in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.
A new study identifies fatty acid elongase ELOVL5 as a key promoter of inflammation resolution in the lungs. The research reveals that ELOVL5 works through a dual mechanism to dampen inflammatory pathways and generate pro-resolving lipid signals.
Researchers found that tubeless anesthesia significantly reduces postoperative complications, promotes enhanced recovery, and lowers costs in selected patients. The study also showed improved respiratory function and reduced intubation times.
The study demonstrated that nebulized HL231 at 261 µg/141 µg dose achieved comparable bronchodilation efficacy, pharmacokinetic profiles, and safety outcomes to Ultibro. HL231 showed a clear dose-response relationship with predominantly mild-to-moderate adverse events.
Researchers at UC Riverside discovered that two toxic chemicals can form when propylene glycol is heated, harming human lung cells. The chemicals, methylglyoxal and acetaldehyde, disrupt cell functions and cause damage even at low levels.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that abnormal cells in transplanted lungs engage in harmful 'conversations' with the immune system, leading to damage and rejection. The findings provide a comprehensive roadmap for treating chronic lung allograft dysfunction and other scarring lung diseases.
UCSF researchers found a key cellular switch driving pulmonary fibrosis and developed a new therapy to block it in mice. The treatment works by preventing healthy lung cells from converting to harmful cell types, reducing scarring and improving lung function.