Articles tagged with Lungs
Researchers have proposed new diagnostic criteria for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that include environmental exposure, symptoms and abnormal CT scans. The criteria may help identify an additional 2-5 million people with COPD, leading to better care and potential research into slowing or preventing the disease.
Researchers warn of e-cigarette dangers, citing damage to brain, heart, and blood vessels, as well as increased risk of nicotine addiction. Governments are urged to take action to prevent young people's access to tobacco products and curb marketing.
A 16-year-old boy developed severe lung inflammation after vaping, leading to respiratory failure and prolonged hospitalization. The trigger was likely an exaggerated immune response to a chemical in the e-cigarette fluid, highlighting the potential risks of e-cigarettes.
Scientists at Columbia University have successfully grown fully functional lungs in mouse embryos using transplanted stem cells. The innovative technique has shown promising results, suggesting that it may eventually be possible to generate human lungs in animals for transplantation and studying new treatments.
A new study published in PLOS Genetics found that heavy smoking can have a causal effect on facial ageing, influencing appearance and wrinkling. Researchers used Mendelian randomization and gene-by-environment interaction tests to identify the effects of smoking heaviness.
A three-drug combination improved lung function and reduced symptoms in patients with the most common genetic mutation for cystic fibrosis. The therapy, approved by the FDA, targets the underlying cause of the disease and demonstrated significant benefits in lung function and quality of life.
New research reveals that the shape and architecture of collagen and elastin fibers in lungs affects their elasticity. Crimped fibers exhibit greater flexibility, while straight fibers are stiffer.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics has identified 57 genetic variations associated with declines in blood oxygen levels during sleep. These findings provide insight into the hereditary basis of this trait and its relationship to sleep disorders and lung diseases.
A study of over 14,000 participants found associations between specific cigarette characteristics and lung cancer outcomes. Researchers analyzed data from a lung screening trial to investigate the impact of cigarette filter status, tar level, and menthol flavor on lung cancer outcomes.
A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal has provided evidence that fatty tissue builds up in the airway walls of individuals who are overweight or obese. This accumulation alters the normal structure of the airways and leads to inflammation in the lungs, which may contribute to increased asthma symptoms.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles identified molecular markers that distinguish between airway and vascular smooth muscle cells. This breakthrough enables separate studies of lung disorders like COPD and asthma in premature infants.
Pulmonary hypertension caused by respiratory disease has been linked to improved health outcomes through identifying underlying conditions. Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that thorough evaluations and tailored therapy approaches can help dogs with pulmonary hypertension, increasing survival rates.
The AI system uses a huge database of x-ray images to identify collapsed lungs with 75% accuracy, outperforming medical specialists who diagnose fewer than 50%. Researchers plan to integrate the technology into a software system and apply it to other conditions, reducing treatment delays and improving patient outcomes.
A new study presented at the IASLC 2019 North America Conference on Lung Cancer found that lung cancer screening guidelines are inadequate to diagnose patients who contract lung cancer from occupational exposure, including first responders. Low-dose computed tomography was shown to detect disease earlier in this population.
A study of 845 CF patients found that lumacaftor-ivacaftor improves lung function, body weight, and reduces intravenous antibiotic treatment needs. However, nearly one in five patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation.
Transplant patients who received high-risk donor lungs through ex vivo lung perfusion showed improved long-term outcomes, including reduced mortality and morbidity rates. The study suggests that this technique may be a viable alternative for high-risk patients, providing access to more organs.
University of Delaware Professor April Kloxin wins NIH Director's New Innovator Award to develop synthetic models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a fatal disease affecting over 3 million people globally. Her research aims to uncover insights into the underlying causes and potential treatments for lung fibrosis.
A new study led by Columbia University researchers found that people who smoke just a few cigarettes a day can still experience long-term lung damage. The study also showed that the rate of decline in lung function among light smokers is closer to that of heavy smokers than previously thought.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that an increased risk of pulmonary embolism persists for several years after six types of surgery among cancer-free middle-age adults. The research analyzed data from a French national inpatient database and followed 60,000 participants to determine the duration of this increased risk.
A study found that e-cigarette smoke induces lung adenocarcinoma and bladder urothelial hyperplasia in mice. Exposure to e-cigarette juice led to a high incidence of tumors, while filtered air exposure had minimal effects.
The American Heart Association's new scientific statement identifies the benefits and risks of novel interventional devices for treating pulmonary embolism. The devices, which remove or dissolve clots in the lungs, are shown to be effective but carry moderate risks, particularly in patients with intermediate-risk PE.
Researchers have found no evidence of lipid accumulation as the cause of vaping-related lung injuries, suggesting a direct chemical injury from noxious fumes instead. The study's findings support concerns about the risks of vaping and call for better regulation and education.
A new study suggests that aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may protect the lungs from short-term spikes in air pollution. The researchers found that nearly half of the negative impact of particulate matter on lung function was reduced with NSAID use.
Research has linked exposure to BPA in the womb to increased risk of wheezing and poorer lung function in children. The study found that pregnant women with higher BPA levels were more likely to have children who suffered from wheezing, and a doubling of BPA corresponded with a significant decrease in lung capacity.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Institute are studying lung macrophages and their role in TB infection, with the goal of developing a new set of biological pathways critical to the body's response. The findings could lead to a new strategy for host-directed therapy and potentially cure TB.
Researchers at NIH and Siemens developed a low-magnetic-field MRI system that improves image quality of lungs and other internal structures, making medical imaging more affordable and accessible. The new system also reduces the risk of heating and allows for safer procedures for patients with pacemakers or defibrillators.
Research suggests that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to develop poor respiratory health based on lung function tests. PCOS is believed to affect almost one in six women and often runs in families, while also increasing the risk of diabetes, which has been linked to lower lung function.
A six-month low-dose azithromycin treatment significantly reduced symptoms and infection episodes in PCD patients, with a 50% reduction in serious episode episodes. However, mild diarrhoea was more common in treated patients.
The study found measurable adverse biologic effects on lung health and cells in humans, animals, and tissue samples. Vaping has been linked to increased respiratory symptoms, including bronchitis-like symptoms and asthma, as well as possible lung damage and immunosuppression.
Researchers found that women who experience complications such as preterm births and preeclampsia during their first pregnancy are nearly twice more likely than women without complications to develop high blood pressure later in life. The study emphasizes the need for doctors to focus on knowing the health histories of women.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that nintedanib slows the progression of a broad range of scarring lung diseases. The medication was shown to be effective in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease, regardless of the underlying cause or pattern of lung fibrosis.
A smart shirt has proven to be accurate in measuring breathing, with results similar to traditional equipment, according to European Respiratory Society research. The Hexoskin senses chest movements and records air volume, heart rate, and movement, making it a practical alternative for monitoring lung function.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine identified CXCR6 and CXCL16 as critical molecules for T cells to travel to and populate the lungs. This discovery could lead to designing adjuvants that recruit CD8 T cells into the airways, potentially reducing symptoms or preventing infection.
A study of nearly eight million live births found that air pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide are associated with a 20-50% increased risk of death in babies. Exposure to these pollutants also reduces lung function in children as early as the first trimester of pregnancy.
Researchers found that blocking interleukin-11 protein with therapeutic antibodies can reverse lung fibrosis in a mouse model. This discovery holds promise for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a life-threatening lung disease. Clinical trials are expected to begin by 2021.
Researchers at University of Utah Health identified large immune cells containing oily droplets in the lungs of vaping patients, enabling faster diagnoses and shedding light on the mysterious condition. The discovery may lead to better treatment options and a deeper understanding of the illness's causes.
Researchers found that patients with non-small cell lung cancer who develop checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis have higher levels of memory T cells in their lungs compared to those without the condition. The study also identified decreased levels of regulatory T cells, which may lead to new ways to treat this complication.
A new NIH-funded study found that hospital emergency room closures can adversely affect health outcomes for heart attack patients at neighboring hospitals. Conversely, when a new emergency department opens, health outcomes for those patients improve.
Chronic e-cigarette vapor exposure damages lungs by disrupting normal lung structure and function, reducing immune cell response to viral infections. The study also found abnormal lipid accumulation within resident macrophages, leading to increased susceptibility to diseases like influenza.
Researchers discovered two distinct sub-populations of interstitial macrophages in the lung, which play a crucial role in preventing asthma development. These sub-populations exhibit different functions, origins, and morphologies, and have distinct local precursors.
A new study suggests that metabolites produced by the body's breakdown of toxins may protect against obstructive airway disease in 9/11 first responders. Researchers identified specific compounds, including protein-building amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in diets rich in fish and olive oil.
A study by Karolinska Institutet shows that a mobile phone-based treatment adjustment algorithm can improve symptoms and medication adherence in uncontrolled asthma sufferers. The digital tool, AsthmaTuner, analyzes lung function and symptoms to provide personalized feedback and treatment recommendations.
Preoperative chewing gum use does not affect gastric emptying, while postoperative gum may aid recovery. Chewing gum can be a useful tool to aid recovery and reduce complications after certain types of surgery.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found that inflammation in the lungs can wake up a silent genetic defect that causes sudden onset cases of pulmonary hypertension. The study suggests that limiting potential environmental causes of lung inflammation may help prevent the development of the disease.
Researchers from the University of Córdoba have discovered that high-virulence strains of PRRSV cause earlier and greater damage than low-virulence strains. This study aims to develop vaccines that reduce mortality in the pig sector by understanding the behavior of the virus in infected animals.
Researchers identified a drug combination that significantly extends patient survival in lung transplant recipients, offering a potential solution to the median survival rate of less than six years after transplantation. Sirolimus plus tacrolimus was associated with a better median survival than MMF plus tacrolimus.
Scientists have identified a molecular mechanism that causes lung cells to lose their identity, promoting tumor growth. The study reveals how genetic mutations coordinate pathways to drive malignancy in lung cancer, shedding light on mechanisms of tumor progression and influencing drug development.
Researchers have developed a new type of vaccine targeting tuberculosis, providing substantial protection against the deadly disease. The early-stage vaccine was shown to be effective in pre-clinical laboratory settings and demonstrated its ability to stimulate the immune response in the lungs.
Researchers from the University of Calgary have discovered a molecule that can prevent white blood cells from binding to tissues in the lungs, stopping inflammation and potential organ damage. This breakthrough could lead to treatments for conditions like sepsis, acute lung injury, and cancer metastasis.
A new UNC School of Medicine study found elevated levels of protease enzymes in e-cigarette users' lungs, similar to those seen in smokers with emphysema. Nicotine is believed to be the cause of this reaction, which could lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and shortness of breath.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a strong link between long-term exposure to air pollution and an increased risk of emphysema in the US population. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 participants and found that consistent results were found across six metropolitan regions.
Long-term exposure to ozone and other pollutants accelerates emphysema development, even among non-smokers. The study found a strong association between ozone levels and emphysema, with the strongest impact seen in people living in areas with high ozone concentrations.
This observational study found exposure to ozone, fine particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and black carbon was associated with increased emphysema progression. Ambient ozone exposure also led to a decline in lung function, while other pollutants had no significant impact.
A new study finds that long-term exposure to all major air pollutants increases the risk of emphysema by roughly the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 29 years. Ground-level ozone levels are rising due to climate change, and the US study suggests that this increase may lead to an increased risk of chronic lung disease.
Researchers found that lung lining fluid from older adults is more prone to dysfunction, allowing bacteria to infect and grow within macrophages. The study suggests that interventions targeting the lung mucosa's oxidative status may help make elderly individuals more resistant to respiratory infections.
A UC researcher has received a $1.9 million grant to study the sexual reproduction cycle of Pneumocystis pneumonia, a pathogen that causes lung infections in immunocompromised patients. Testing echinocandins as a potential therapy could block transmission of the pathogen.
Researchers found that even low levels of traffic-related air pollution can cause inflammation and mitochondrial damage in the lungs of mice. The study's results suggest that people living alongside major traffic corridors should be aware of potential respiratory health risks.
Researchers found that anti-inflammatory biologic therapies can significantly reduce coronary inflammation in psoriasis patients, using a novel imaging biomarker. The study has implications for other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
A study found that smoking impairs the effectiveness of embolization treatment for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) in patients with HHT. Smokers experienced a higher rate of PAVM persistence after treatment compared to non-smokers, with those who smoked more than 20 pack-years facing a fivefold increased risk.
A new study found that girls who were moderately to highly physically active in childhood had higher exhalation capacity and greater forced expiratory volume than their inactive peers. The research suggests that promoting physical activity in childhood may have long-term benefits for respiratory health, particularly in adolescent girls.