A clinical study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that an antifungal drug improved key biomarkers in lung tissue cultures and nasal cells of patients with cystic fibrosis. The study suggests that the drug could benefit all patients, regardless of their mutation, offering a new approach to treatment.
Researchers will develop a human, three-dimensional model system for IPF using induced pluripotent stem cells to better understand its mechanisms. The study aims to provide insights into the development of IPF and potential new treatments.
Researchers discovered a link between antibodies and aggressive lung rejection, and found targeting B cells and interleukin-6 can reduce fibrosis and rejection. This approach may lead to personalized therapies for patients with chronic rejection.
A new study has identified two phases of infection in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, revealing that the virus triggers an immune response and causes significant lung damage. The findings suggest that treatments targeting viral replication may only be effective in the early phase of infection.
UC San Diego researchers found that e-cigarette flavoring chemicals can damage lungs and affect immune system function. The study discovered irregular protein levels in saliva and airways of vapers compared to non-vapers, suggesting regular use of flavored e-cigarettes harms lung health.
Researchers developed a method using ultrasound imaging to score lung health, indicating patient outcomes. The tool predicted worsening COVID-19 cases with high accuracy, allowing physicians to prepare better care.
A new lung delivery system using phage particles has been developed to induce potent antibody responses in mice and non-human primates without causing lung damage.
Research reveals a direct relationship between insulin resistance and severe lung inflammation and scarring in people with pre-diabetes or diabetes. High ozone exposure may exacerbate pulmonary fibrosis, particularly in individuals with poorly controlled diabetes.
A large US study confirmed many COVID-19 complications, with pneumonia, respiratory failure, and sepsis being the most common. The study found that approximately 27% of patients developed serious conditions, while relatively low risks were associated with stroke and certain cardiovascular conditions.
A study published in eLife journal reveals that a specific strain of lung bacteria, Lactobacillus murinus, can inhibit the growth of pneumococcal pathogens and prevent colonization. The findings suggest that probiotics could be a potential treatment alternative to antibiotics for respiratory illnesses.
Scientists have developed a potential new antibiotic for Mycobacterium abscessus, a pathogen resistant to medications with cure rates less than 50%. The compound T405 demonstrated superior potency against the bacteria, as well as an ability to prevent resistance when combined with avibactam.
A digital stethoscope with artificial intelligence can accurately detect irregular lung sounds, making it easier to diagnose COVID-19 and other respiratory conditions. The device features noise suppression technology, allowing for clear body sounds without the need for training.
Researchers created a mouse model to study SARS-CoV-2's impact on organs beyond the lungs, revealing systemic damage and long-lasting changes. The study sheds light on the virus's ability to circulate through the bloodstream and affect vital organs.
Lung tissue analysis reveals MBD2 as a promising target for treating lung fibrosis, which is characterized by overexpression of this epigenetic regulator in areas occupied by macrophages. Inhibiting MBD2 may prove to be a safe way to treat the chronic and irreversible disease.
Researchers use human white blood cell membranes to carry drugs directly to infected lungs in mice, successfully treating bacterial growth and inflammation. The nano-sized drug delivery method shows promise for treating infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
Amali Samarasinghe, a researcher at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and UTHSC, received the Charles and Amelia Gould Innovation Award to study eosinophils in asthma. The award aims to improve personalized approaches to therapy for children with asthma.
The study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly causes damage to human lung cells by exploiting core resources and inducing abnormal changes in protein abundance and phosphorylation. The researchers also identified 18 pre-existing clinically approved drugs that can be potentially re-purposed for COVID-19 therapy.
A study by Radboud University Medical Center found that most lung tissue recovers well after COVID-19, with limited residual damage. Patients who were referred to the aftercare clinic showed poorer recovery rates compared to those admitted to the ICU.
Researchers from the University of Warwick developed a computational model predicting drug targets for SARS-CoV-2 by understanding host-based metabolic perturbations. The model highlights glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation pathways as key targets, with potential connections to amino acid biosynthesis.
A study found that people who cook with biomass fuels like wood are at risk of suffering considerable damage to their lungs due to breathing in dangerous concentrations of pollutants and bacterial toxins. The researchers also found a smaller subset of biomass users who had very high levels of air trapping and abnormal tissue mechanics.
Researchers developed an animal-free method to predict nanoparticle toxicity, enabling safer industrial materials production and reducing environmental risks. The new approach identifies key cellular events triggering inflammation, allowing for high-throughput testing and connectable with in silico modeling.
A new AI algorithm, DeepCOVID-XR, has been developed to detect COVID-19 on chest X-ray images. It outperformed thoracic radiologists in accuracy and speed, analyzing images 10 times faster and with a 1-6% higher accuracy rate.
Researchers found T cell hyperactivation and paralysis in severe COVID-19 patients, leading to unbalanced immune response. This imbalance may cause severe pneumonia, highlighting potential new treatment targets.
Researchers used computer modeling to investigate the mechanisms behind silent hypoxia in COVID-19 patients. They found that a combination of biological factors, including damaged lung tissue, blood clotting, and air-to-blood flow mismatch, contribute to low oxygen levels. This understanding can inform treatment decisions for clinicians.
A new model of CF lungs using pig lungs and synthetic mucus shows that S. aureus aggregates in mucus, rather than invading lung tissue, sparking debate over antibiotic treatment. This discovery could lead to reduced use of antibiotics and improved treatment for MRSA infection in cystic fibrosis patients.
Researchers at MUSC discover lysyl oxidase plays key roles in promoting fibrosis in scleroderma, and its levels can be used to monitor treatment response. The findings suggest LOX could be a promising biomarker for assessing fibrosis progression or regression.
Researchers develop a new approach to treating lung metastasis by delivering chemokine CXCL10 via red blood cells, stimulating the immune system to attack tumors. Treatment with erythrocyte-anchored systemic immunotherapy (EASI) halts tumor growth and induces an immune response in mice.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that children are less likely to get infected or have severe symptoms due to lower levels of an enzyme called TMPRSS2. The research suggests that blocking this enzyme could potentially treat or prevent COVID-19 in older people.
Cilia, tiny hairlike organelles, coordinate to push particles and fluid along, ensuring reproduction and defense against pathogens. Researchers identified mechanisms for effective cilia movement, which can inform diagnosis of diseases such as lung disease.
A new study from the Chakrabarty lab found a strong linear association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and R0, which denotes the expected number of people each sick person can infect. The researchers also discovered that secondary inorganic components in PM2.5 increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
A study published in Cancer Discovery found that patients with advanced-stage lung cancer had greater enrichment of oral commensals in the lung than those with early-stage disease, leading to decreased survival. The presence of specific bacteria was associated with tumor progression and activation of inflammatory pathways.
Researchers have developed two novel targeted therapies to slow down or stop fibrosis progression in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). These treatments aim to deliver potent drugs specifically to diseased cells, minimizing harm to healthy ones. The therapies will soon enter human clinical trials.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that blocking OX40L and CD30L, two key immune molecules, is crucial to preventing asthma attacks. The study shows how these molecules contribute to inflammation in the lungs during an allergic reaction.
Researchers found that over half of e-cigarette users reported symptoms like cough and nausea, with those using flavored products and refillable devices more likely to experience severe symptoms. The study highlights the need for better understanding of e-cigarette risks among healthcare professionals and parents of youth.
Scientists from the University of Leeds monitored air quality during Bonfire Night events and found elevated concentrations of soot, which is around 100 times its normal level. The research highlights the potential health impacts of pollution on individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have found a promising therapeutic approach against COPD by blocking lung epithelial cell death and triggering tissue regeneration. The novel treatment targets the lymphotoxin beta receptor signaling pathway, leading to improved lung function and reduced comorbidities.
Researchers found extensive lung damage and unique characteristics in COVID-19 patients, including fibrotic material and abnormal cell fusion. The study suggests the persistence of these 'abnormal cells' may explain long COVID symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 attacks red marrow, damaging endothelium and regulating cell migration. This can lead to loss of functional cells, organ failure, and increased risk of secondary infections. The study analyzed lung samples from 79 patients who died from COVID-19.
A recent study published in ERJ Open Research reveals that NYC firefighters and emergency medical workers were significantly more likely to contract COVID-19 during the pandemic. The research found that workers with declining lung health were at a higher risk of severe infection and death.
Researchers found that CTAs were accurate in diagnosing COVID-19 with 83% accuracy when combined with patient feedback and symptoms. The study also identified 30 of the 57 patients as positive for COVID-19, and 20 had suspicious pneumonia on their scans.
A study estimates that long-term exposure to air pollution increases COVID-19 deaths by 15% globally, with higher proportions found in Europe and East Asia. Air pollution exacerbates health outcomes by aggravating co-morbidities and causing inflammation, leading to increased vulnerability to COVID-19.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that spectral CT with electron density imaging can improve the assessment of lung lesion extent in patients with COVID-19. The results showed that lesion extent was easier to ascertain on electron density images, and ground-glass opacities were more conspicuous.
Researchers found that CBD increases apelin levels, which reduces inflammation and improves oxygen levels in the lungs. CBD treatment also normalized lung function and reduced physical damage caused by ARDS.
The study reveals that efavirenz alters the gene expression of important factors essential for genomic stability, particularly down-regulating S-phase and DNA replication genes. This suggests that efavirenz may be used in synergy with chemo/radiotherapy to treat lung cancer.
Research suggests that psychological distress during pregnancy may be linked to a heightened risk of asthma and poorer lung function in children. The study found that mothers' overall psychological distress was associated with a 45-92% increased risk of current asthma in their children, while fathers' symptoms had no association.
Researchers discovered that MG53 blocks inflammation and protects lungs from flu-induced death in mouse studies, offering a potential new therapy for the top-10 cause of global deaths. The treatment prevents excessive inflammation without affecting the virus itself.
A machine learning program using neural networks analyzes 1.4 million data points to predict which babies and children are most likely to suffer brain injury after Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) treatment, outperforming human clinicians.
Researchers propose endotracheal aspirates as an attractive alternative to invasive bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia. The study revealed that ETA is functionally diverse and highly enriched in proteins involved in immunity, suggesting its potential to detect lung infection earlier and more accurately.
Researchers have generated a single-cell atlas of mouse innate lymphoid cells in the lung, discovering a pool of local progenitors that can generate mature ILC2s. The study reveals the complexity of ILC2 functions and their developmental relationships, shedding light on how they contribute to immune defense and inflammatory diseases.
A portable device has been created to mimic the placenta's oxygenation role for pre-term newborns in respiratory distress. The artificial lung uses a fine membrane to release carbon dioxide and uptake oxygen while protecting blood from infection, improving survival rates and reducing brain damage.
Scientists at Boston University's NEIDL and CReM developed living human lung cells from stem cells to study COVID-19's impact on the lungs. They found that NFkB pathway activation triggers deadly levels of lung inflammation, leading to a search for new therapeutics.
Researchers found significant lung injury from e-cigarette devices with nickel-chromium alloy heating elements, even without nicotine or other additives. The switch in devices occurred when the team's original eC device went off market, revealing severe respiratory distress and lung lesions.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers has identified a cellular pathway that can be targeted with a naturally occurring drug to stimulate lung tissue regeneration. The findings could lead to better therapies for patients with lung diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19.
A new international study found that ECMO significantly improves survival rates for critically ill COVID-19 patients. The study analyzed data from over 200 hospitals worldwide and showed that ECMO can be a life-saving option for those who are failing ventilators and other care.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology report that protein TL1A drives fibrosis in several mouse models, triggering tissue remodeling and making it harder for lungs and airways to function normally. This discovery suggests potential targets for therapeutics aimed at reducing fibrosis and tissue remodeling.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals that lung transplant patients who receive antifungal preventive medications have a significantly lower risk of death within the first year posttransplant. The study analyzed data from 667 patients and found that mortality risk was about twice as high in those not receiving treatment.
A team of researchers at Boston University has found that SARS-CoV-2 initially suppresses the lung cells' ability to activate the immune system, triggering a deadly inflammatory pathway. This activation leads to an influx of immune cells and an increase in inflammation in the lungs.
Research from King's College London found COVID-19 can be diagnosed using emergency stroke scans. The scans capture lung images showing 'ground glass opacification,' which predicts increased mortality and informs PPE use, triage, and contact tracing.
Research suggests that conditions related to obesity, such as inflammation and leaky gut, leave lungs more susceptible to COVID-19. Additionally, high levels of ACE2 receptors in obese individuals can lead to a higher viral load, exacerbating disease severity.
Researchers have developed an accelerated platform to identify and test potential treatments for early-stage lung cancer using 'organoids' created from lung cells. The studies revealed reduced expression of genes that are markers of mature lung alveolar cells, and increased expression of genes involved in early lung development.