Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.