Articles tagged with Lungs
Lung scarring can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and life-threatening complications. Researchers found increased MMP activity in lung tissue affected by Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, suggesting a new link for diagnosis and treatment.
A massive study of over 300,000 people found that air pollution significantly reduces lung function and increases the risk of developing COPD. Exposure to high levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide was linked to lung aging equivalent to two years of aging.
A new study by the Francis Crick Institute found that antibiotics can wipe out early flu resistance and leave the lung vulnerable to viral infections. Gut bacteria help maintain a first line of defense in the lining of the lung, but antibiotics can destroy this defense.
Researchers found that gut microbes stimulate antiviral signals in non-immune lung cells to protect against the flu virus during early stages of infection. Enhanced baseline type I interferon signaling reduced flu virus replication and weight loss in mice.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute created a comprehensive database of gene activity in mice with ten diseases, allowing researchers to study immune responses without needing actual mice. The database uses next-generation sequencing technology and shows the activity of over 45,000 genes across different diseases.
Researchers discovered that lung macrophages in mice act as 'Trojan horses' carrying fungal spores into the bloodstream. The study sheds light on why certain strains of a fungus are deadly while others are harmless.
A study published in Immunity reveals that the synthesis and breakdown of fats play a crucial role in asthma-related inflammation. Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression in immune cells exposed to house dust mites, finding a unique profile of genes linked to fat metabolism.
A recent study found that including new clinical variables in the lung allocation score improved its accuracy for identifying the sickest cystic fibrosis patients. The updated scoring system also helped patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by re-evaluating their pulmonary function testing.
A new NIH-funded study supports a 70% ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) as an accurate threshold for diagnosing clinically significant airflow obstruction in COPD. This simple approach may lead to earlier detection and treatment, improving patient care and public health.
Scientists have identified a rare genetic mutation causing a fatal respiratory disorder that affects newborns. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, researchers developed a mouse model of the disease and discovered a critical link between FOXF1 mutations and STAT3 deficiency.
A $24.8 million grant-funded longitudinal study will examine the long-term impact of vaping, environmental factors, and lifestyle on lung health in millennials. The study aims to identify risk factors, biomarkers, and early interventions for chronic lung diseases.
Good heart and lung fitness in middle age is associated with a lower long-term risk of chronic lung disease (COPD). Physical activity boosts fitness may delay development, progression, and death from COPD. Studies have suggested that high physical activity levels are associated with reduced COPD risk.
Scientists have created a detailed anatomical map of the respiratory airways, producing the first draft Human Cell Atlas of the lung. The study revealed an entirely new cell state that produces mucus in asthma patients, and large differences between normal and asthmatic lungs.
A hair-sized probe developed by scientists can measure key indicators of tissue damage deep in the lung, improving patient assessment and treatment. The technology offers fast, accurate measurements and flexibility to add more sensors, applicable to other body regions and inflammatory diseases.
Research reveals pressure-sensing protein piezo 1 plays a key role in lung edema development. Suppressing its activity or bolstering adherens junctions may prevent fluid entry into the lungs.
A new study has found that exposure to diesel pollutants can cause subtle changes in the lungs, making people more prone to developing chronic lung disease. The research, published in the European Respiratory Journal, found that breathing in black carbon from polluted air was associated with an increased volume of peripheral blood vess...
A study of 50 APECED patients found that 40% developed pneumonitis, a condition often misdiagnosed or missed. Targeting T and B cells resolved symptoms and improved lung function in five treated patients.
Researchers identified a master cell that coordinates the body's immune defenses in the first days after TB infection. Boosting this cell's activity could help prevent TB and reduce new infections. The findings suggest a new avenue for TB control and may aid development of more effective vaccines.
A new study found that irregular sleep patterns are associated with a higher risk of metabolic disorders, including obesity and high cholesterol. The research suggests that maintaining a regular sleep schedule has beneficial effects on metabolism.
Researchers found that catastrophic genome rearrangements can occur as early as childhood and lead to lung cancer decades later. Gene fusions in non-smokers mostly occur early on, sometimes as early as childhood or adolescence, and are often dormant for several decades before progressing into cancer.
A new study found that even short stays in polluted cities can cause significant breathing problems and coughing in healthy adults, which can take at least a week to recover from. The research team analyzed lung and heart health in travelers visiting highly polluted cities like India and China.
A new study found that a mobile phone app designed for physically inactive women increased their daily physical activity and helped them sustain it over nine months. The app, combined with an activity tracker and personal counseling, provided motivational messages and interactive feedback, leading to short- and long-term fitness benefits.
A 1-year-old Rottweiler named Stella received a groundbreaking treatment using fish skin grafts for her second- and third-degree burns after escaping a house fire. The innovative therapy, developed by Michigan State University, leveraged the anti-inflammatory properties of Icelandic cod skin to aid in healing and tissue regeneration.
Smokers of unfiltered cigarettes face a significantly higher risk of dying from lung cancer and all causes than those who smoke filtered cigarettes. Researchers found that light or ultralight cigarettes do not offer any lung cancer death reduction benefits, but smokers may be less likely to quit.
A team of McGill University Health Centre scientists identified a new role for the lipid mediator Leukotriene B4 in regulating the immune response to influenza infection. They found that LTB4 can reduce inflammation and enhance host survival, promising clinical implications for flu treatment.
Research at ATS 2019 reveals that smokers with severe lung function limitation are more likely to die from respiratory causes. In contrast, smokers with mild impairment face a higher risk of heart disease and lung cancer.
Researchers developed a novel technique called LAMPOON to prevent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, a common complication of transcatheter mitral valve replacement. The study found that the new method increased treatment options for high-risk patients and achieved better survival rates compared to other methods.
A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol has been developed to identify premature babies with chronic lung disease, allowing for earlier diagnosis and personalized treatment. The study, published in Thorax, reveals increased T2 and decreased T1 relaxation times in MRI data, indicating the presence of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center developed a cross-circulation technique to rehabilitate damaged lungs, extending the assessment time from six hours to 36 hours. The regenerated lungs meet transplantation criteria, potentially increasing organ availability.
A multidisciplinary team from Columbia Engineering and Vanderbilt University has demonstrated regeneration of severely damaged lungs in a clinically relevant model. The researchers developed a cross-circulation platform that maintained lung viability and function, enabling the recovery of lungs unsuitable for transplant due to injury.
A large study found that adults with high fitness levels had a lower risk of developing lung and colorectal cancer, as well as improved survival rates after diagnosis. Fitness testing is common among adults and may provide valuable information about cancer risk and prognosis.
A new study demonstrates the safety of a potential treatment for ischemia-reperfusion injury in human lung transplant patients, showing no dose-limiting toxicities or 30-day mortality. The treatment, Regadenoson, has the potential to improve survival rates and quality of life for lung transplant recipients.
A multi-site international trial has shown promise in reducing the incidence of thoracotomy conversion for VATS/robotic anatomical lung resection. The use of an ultrasonic vessel-sealing device resulted in fewer bleeding complications and a faster recovery time, with no postoperative bleeding from divided PA branches.
Research highlights the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type 2 diabetes, emphasizing the importance of collaborative care to address underlying systemic inflammation. Achieving optimal glucose control is crucial in patients with coexistent T2 DM and COPD.
A new policy expanding lung transplant boundaries has led to increased costs due to longer travel distances, resulting in reduced organ availability for local donors. The study found that patients at smaller transplant programs are disadvantaged by the policy, particularly those in economically disadvantaged areas.
A University of Michigan researcher has found that the mechanics producing wheezing and crackling noises with every breath are likely a cause of injury and inflammation. This new understanding could change how lung diseases are treated and represent a paradigm shift in doctor-patient interactions.
A study found that filtering tiny particles from diesel exhaust increased nitrogen dioxide levels, impairing lung function and exacerbating allergy symptoms. The effects were most pronounced in genetically susceptible individuals.
Researchers developed a biophotonic technique that uses ultraviolet and red light irradiation to eliminate bacteria and viruses from organs before transplantation. The method significantly reduced viral load in eight patients and completely eliminated the virus in two others.
New research by Imperial Brands shows that vaping blu e-vapor produces a similar effect on human lung tissue as normal air. The study found that exposure to blu vapour had no cytotoxic impact on human airway tissue, unlike conventional cigarette smoke.
A study found that a common food additive, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), can hinder the immune system's ability to fight off flu viruses, making vaccines less effective. In mice exposed to tBHQ, CD4 and CD8 T cells showed reduced functionality, leading to increased inflammation and mucus production in the lungs.
A new study has found that cystic fibrosis patients who have a common virus may experience faster disease progression. Cytomegalovirus infection was the most important factor linked to disease progression, with patients having the virus referred for lung transplants at a much younger age and dying ten years earlier on average.
A new study by Australian researchers has discovered that dietary fiber reduces lung inflammation and damage, improving lung function. The findings suggest that consuming high amounts of fiber may help prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition affecting 1 in 7 Australians over the age of 40.
Researchers found that mucus build-up and inflammation are the initial causes of lung damage in CF patients. Early treatments that thin out mucus may delay the onset of lung disease and improve patient outcomes.
A new study led by University of Manchester biologists reveals how glucose levels in the lungs control immune responses during inflammation. The research found that blocking sugar receptors may reduce inflammation in chronic conditions, while inhalation therapy could enhance immune response against some infections.
A study led by Queen Mary University of London found that shorter stature is associated with higher risk of heart disease, primarily due to impaired lung function. The researchers suggest assessing lung function alongside height to better predict heart disease risk.
Researchers at VUMC and TGen are studying Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and irreversible lung disease affecting 50,000 Americans annually. The grants will help identify specific gene expression changes driving the disease, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments.
TGen has received two grants totaling $6.1 million to study deadly lung diseases such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), with an estimated 50,000 US patients diagnosed annually. Researchers aim to identify genomic factors driving the disease and develop more precise treatments.
A study published in JAMA reveals significant improvement in the survival rate of extremely preterm babies in Sweden, rising from 70% to 77%, while complications decreased, between 2014-2016 and 2004-2007.
A study found that a protein associated with cancer growth is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic and progressive lung condition. Introducing normal cells to inhibit the protein PD-L1 may reduce disease severity in laboratory mice and human tissue samples.
Researchers found that a mother's diet during pregnancy can affect the expression of genes regulating lung health in her offspring. Epigenetic changes may contribute to increased rates of lung disease, such as asthma, in children born to undernourished mothers.
A study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that the composition of a child's nose microbiome is altered in cases of respiratory infections compared to healthy peers. This difference can predict disease severity, hospital stay duration, and likelihood of recovery without antibiotics.
A non-invasive imaging biomarker called Parametric Response Mapping (PRM) can identify small airway damage in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This technique measures lung density during inhalation and exhalation, helping to predict patients who will lose lung function.
A VA study examined the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection in patients with known or suspected lung cancer from 2002 to 2015. The proportion of this minimally invasive procedure increased significantly over time, but its adoption varied by VA region.
Researchers have found that an approved drug can function as a molecular prosthetic, restoring infection-fighting properties in lung tissue and treating cystic fibrosis. The approach bypasses defective proteins and could benefit all types of CFTR mutations.
Researchers found that the medication amphotericin helps lung cells function, making it easier for patients to fight chronic bacterial infections. The finding holds special promise for a subset of patients who do not respond to current treatments.
Researchers at the University of Bradford have identified a new biomarker that could help diagnose PAH earlier, potentially leading to better treatment options. The study reveals how a faulty gene affects cell death regulation in the blood vessels.
Researchers at University of Tsukuba uncover how stratifin causes lung adenocarcinoma to emerge, identifying two drugs with other clinical uses that could be applied effectively in this disease. The study's findings raise hopes for more powerful treatment tools and value drug repositioning as a potential solution.
Researchers have developed a new vaccine strategy for tuberculosis that protects against the disease by delivering a vaccine directly into the lungs through a spray. The new formulation shows promise in mice studies, with significantly reduced lung inflammation and tissue damage compared to current vaccines.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that genes in lung cells lose synchronized behavior with age, leading to changes in gene activity and metabolic pathways. The researchers also found alterations in the extracellular matrix surrounding lung cells, affecting protein composition.
A new study by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that adult vapers are nearly twice as likely to experience wheezing, a precursor to serious health conditions. The research also highlights the potential for vaping to cause lung damage and long-term respiratory issues.