Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
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.
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.
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 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.
A study of over 278,000 births in Finland found an association between steroid treatment and reduced birth weight. Babies exposed to steroids were on average born with lower birthweights, regardless of whether they were premature or full-term.
Researchers discovered 139 new genetic differences affecting lung health and COPD risk, showing both smokers and non-smokers can develop the disease. These findings could lead to new treatments for COPD, impacting global health.
A study found that suboptimal antibiotic doses may lead to lower lung microbial diversity, while therapeutic doses result in decreased diversity and lower levels after treatment. This could influence patient outcomes in cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease causing recurrent lung infections.
Researchers at University of Cologne decipher mechanism by which intestinal microbiota amplifies inflammatory reactions in lungs. Candida albicans stimulates Th17 cells, leading to cross-reactivity and immune system imbalance.
Researchers at the University of Warwick and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a computer simulator that predicts lung damage from ventilator settings. The study identified strategies to reduce tidal volumes and driving pressures, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Boston University School of Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $482,400 NIH grant to bolster the development of physician-scientists. The grant will support a summer research program for first-year medical students, providing them with research experience and opportunities to present their work at national conferences.
The UVA Health System is launching a program that uses telehealth to connect primary care providers in Appalachia with specialists to improve lung disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Residents in the region have higher-than-average rates of lung cancer and COPD, and limited access to subspecialty physicians.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that using bag-mask ventilation during tracheal intubation improves outcomes and reduces the rate of severely low oxygen levels in half. The procedure, which involves squeezing air from a bag into the mouth for 60 seconds, is now being routinely used at the hospital.
A large European study found that small lung spots in rhabdomyosarcoma patients do not affect survival prospects or require aggressive treatment, unlike larger metastases.
A University of Colorado study shows that low-molecular weight PAHs, commonly found in secondhand smoke and environmental exposures, can cause cancer-promoting changes in lung cells within 30 minutes.
A new study published in ERJ Open Research directly compares new heated tobacco devices with vaping and traditional cigarettes, showing that all three are toxic to human lung cells. The study's findings suggest that these newer electronic nicotine delivery devices may not be a safer substitute for cigarette smoking.
Immunology researchers at the Babraham Institute discovered how lung tissue is remodelled to support an immune response to influenza, producing antibodies with cross-protection against multiple strains. The findings may lead to more robust seasonal influenza vaccination and new therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases.
A comprehensive exposome approach by Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) reveals early life exposure to parabens, phthalates, and PFAS associated with reduced lung function in children. The study highlights the importance of preventing exposure to chemical substances through regulation and labelling of consumer products.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a process that may prevent antibody-mediated rejection in lung transplants. They found that giving immunosuppressive drugs can help the lungs survive and induce growth of lymph node-like structures within the grafts, which contain cells that dampen immune responses.
Two common e-cigarette chemical flavorings, diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, have been linked to impaired lung function by altering gene expression related to cilia production. This study suggests that even low levels of these chemicals can be hazardous, highlighting the need for stricter safety standards.
A new study finds that people with pre-diabetic blood sugar levels are at a lower risk for developing cardiovascular disease. However, most individuals will go on to develop diabetes unless they take measures to reduce their blood sugar levels.
Researchers developed a blood test that detects severe lung transplant rejection early, even when no signs are present. The test uses DNA sequencing and has shown promising results in improving transplant outcomes.
A new study published in Nature Immunology has identified a new type of immune cell that infiltrates lung tissue and initiates fibrosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The researchers were able to prevent fibrosis in mouse models by targeting these cells for destruction, which may lead to new treatments for this terminal illness.
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that childhood body composition plays a crucial role in determining future lung health. Boys and girls with higher muscle mass in childhood have higher lung function, while those with more fat mass have lower lung function.
A study found that NPY enhances pulmonary inflammation and viral replication in severe influenza virus infection, leading to poorer outcomes. Deletion of NPY improved survival rates and reduced disease pathology in infected mice.
Researchers at MIT have developed an inhalable form of messenger RNA that can be delivered directly to the lungs, showing promise for treating various lung diseases. The aerosol-formulated mRNA was found to induce lung cells in mice to produce a target protein, paving the way for potential treatments.
Researchers propose a support vector machine-based method to predict enhancers on multiple cell lines and tissues, achieving better performance than state-of-the-art methods. The findings indicate that predicting enhancers is easier for adult or young tissue samples compared to fetal samples.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina identify insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5) as a potential therapeutic target for lung fibrosis. The protein promotes fibrosis by turning on profibrotic genes and increasing levels of profibrotic factors.
A large registry-linkage study found a 13-fold increased risk of lung cancer in single lung transplant recipients' native lungs compared to the general population. Longtime since transplantation and prior smoking are associated with higher lung cancer risk.
Researchers identify strong genetic risk factor for IPF, linking mucociliary dysfunction to lung scarring. The study provides a breakthrough in understanding the cause of IPF and potentially its treatment.
A medical records study of over 7,000 patients awaiting a lung transplant in the US has confirmed that the current organ allocation system is geographically biased. The study found significant disparities in lung transplant rates between different regions, with some areas receiving nearly four times more transplants than others.
A new study led by UCalgary researcher finds that early caffeine treatment has no long-term negative effects on neurodevelopment, but is associated with better cognitive scores. The therapy also reduces the risk of cerebral palsy and hearing impairment in premature babies.
Researchers found that people who eat a diet rich in red meat have triple the TMAO levels of those who eat a diet rich in either white meat or mostly plant-based proteins. However, discontinuation of red meat eventually lowers these TMAO levels, suggesting a promising new strategy for individualizing diets and preventing heart disease.
A randomized controlled trial found that vitamin C supplementation reduced harm to infants' lungs caused by smoking during pregnancy. Infants whose mothers took 500mg of vitamin C in addition to their prenatal vitamin had significantly better lung function at three months of age, according to the study.
A study published in Nature Communications identifies extracellular DNA degradation as a key mechanism of lung inflammation induced by silica exposure. Treatment with DNase I may prevent silica-induced lung inflammation, suggesting a new therapeutic target for silicosis.
A new study found that uranium in mine dust can dissolve in simulated lung fluids and bloodstream, increasing the risk of disease. The researchers tested dust samples from five sites near uranium mines in New Mexico, discovering that mineral composition affects solubility.
A recent study published in Nature Immunology reveals that lung-resident memory B cells can provide more effective immunity against influenza infections. These cells are able to respond quickly and produce antibodies after a second infection, suggesting they play a crucial role in respiratory virus immunity.
A recent study published in The BMJ reveals that the UK has higher death rates from respiratory illnesses, such as COPD and pneumonia, compared to other developed countries. Death rates for men have decreased over the past 30 years, but those for women have remained relatively static.
Research found that lung disease, including restrictive and obstructive conditions, is associated with a greater risk of developing dementia. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 participants and found that low lung function was linked to an increased risk of dementia.
Researchers identified protocadherin-1 as a key receptor facilitating hantavirus lung cell entry. Deleting this receptor made lab animals resistant to infection, offering potential therapeutic strategy against hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.