Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have shown that metformin can reverse established lung fibrosis using a drug treatment targeting cell metabolism. The study used human lung fibroblasts and a mouse model of lung fibrosis, finding that metformin accelerated the resolution of well-established fibrosis.
Researchers found that lower than normal blood levels of vitamin D were associated with an increased risk of early signs of interstitial lung disease, a condition that can lead to progressive lung damage. Vitamin D deficiency was linked to larger volumes of damaged lung tissue and abnormalities on full lung scans.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital identify NEDD9 as a critical player in disease development, with potential therapeutic implications for patients with PAH. The study found that increased oxidant stress modifies an amino acid residue in NEDD9 to cause lung artery fibrosis.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered how vitamin A supports the lung immune system in controlling tuberculosis (TB) by promoting autophagy and waste disposal. This finding has potential for developing more effective lung-targeted treatments using vitamin A to boost patient immunity.
A new international study, led by Queen Mary University of London, will monitor the lung health of over 3,000 primary school children in polluted areas for four years. The CHILL study aims to determine if policies improving air quality can improve lung growth and reduce respiratory symptoms in children.
A new online tool takes into account personalized risks and benefits of lung cancer screening, while also allowing for a range of patient preferences. The tool is designed to help doctors fine-tune their advice to patients, taking into account individual attitudes about looking for problems and dealing with the consequences.
A new study in Circulation presents evidence that fluid redistribution from the abdominal compartment to the heart and lungs may cause heart failure. The study used splanchnic nerve block to demonstrate this phenomenon in patients with acute heart failure, improving symptoms such as shortness of breath.
A new study finds that e-cigarette flavoring cinnamaldehyde significantly disrupts normal cell physiology, impairing airway cilia motility and mitochondrial function. This could have implications for respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Researchers found that stable heavy smokers experienced greater decline in lung function compared to those who never smoked. However, smokers who quit had a lower risk of developing emphysema and lung disease than stable, low-rate smokers despite having smoked more cigarettes.
A study found a dramatic spike in cases of progressive massive fibrosis, the most severe form of black lung disease, among former US coal miners, particularly those working in smaller mines and longer hours.
A recent study found that progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) cases among former US coal miners increased by 50% since 2000, with the highest rates in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. The researchers attribute this trend to inadequate dust control measures, longer working hours, and higher silica exposure levels.
A recent study has found that pregnant smokers who take daily vitamin C supplements may have babies with improved lung function and reduced risk of wheeze. The researchers measured forced expiratory flows in infants born to mothers who smoked, and found significant differences in lung function at three months and one year.
A recent study has identified monocytes as key instigators of early lung transplant failure, leading to organ rejection and death. The researchers hope their findings will lead to new therapies targeting inflammatory cells.
A study of 463 adults found that higher anthocyanin intake was associated with slower lung function decline over 10 years. Individuals in the highest quartile of anthocyanin consumption had a slower rate of decline in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume compared to those in the lowest quartile.
A new study has found a significant association between increased prenatal CO exposure and decreased lung function in infants. Infants whose mothers were exposed to CO during the second and third trimesters were at highest risk for reduced lung function.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that triclosan, a common antibacterial substance in toothpaste, can kill Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria by up to 99.9 percent when combined with tobramycin. This combination therapy offers a new potential treatment option for cystic fibrosis and other biofilm-related infections.
Lung transplant patients with recent alcohol use spent more time in the hospital and on ventilators, with no differences in lung function. Abstaining from alcohol may help optimize lung transplant outcomes.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that the duration, not peak exposure, is key to maturing preterm lungs. This breakthrough could lead to safer and more effective antenatal steroid treatment, benefiting millions of families worldwide.
A clinical trial conducted by Boston Children's Hospital has shown that adding chemotherapy to a treatment regimen including catheterization and surgery can deter abnormal cellular growth in children with pulmonary vein stenosis. The approach led to the stabilization of PVS progression and prevention of further lung damage in 31% of pa...
Researchers at IU School of Medicine are working on printing 3D pig liver tissue for xenotransplantation research. The collaboration with Lung Biotechnology aims to accelerate the development of unlimited organs for life-saving transplants.
Researchers have identified PFKFB3 as a key player in the development of pulmonary hypertension, a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs. By targeting this enzyme, scientists hope to develop new treatments that can help alleviate symptoms and improve patient outcomes.
A new study by Stanford University researcher Annelise Barron has developed a protein mimic that restored breathing capacity to injured rats' lungs, outperforming animal-derived counterparts. The synthetic product could lead to better and cheaper treatments for acute lung injury in humans.
A new study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology shows a four-year overall survival rate of 96 percent for patients with stage IV Wilms tumors with lung metastases, compared to 84 percent on the predecessor study. The approach resulted in sparing initial upfront lung radiation and reducing long-term risks for nearly half of patients.
A new study reveals that marine mammals' unusual lung architecture allows them to avoid the bends by creating a ventilation-perfusion mismatch. This adaptation helps to minimize nitrogen uptake and reduce the risk of decompression sickness. However, excessive stress caused by human-made sound can disrupt this system.
Researchers at Osaka University have found that the double deletion of tetraspanins CD9 and CD81 in mice causes progressive aging and shortened lifespan. The study reveals that CD9/CD81 DKO mice develop an accelerated aging syndrome, with symptoms including emphysema, osteoporosis, and skin and muscle atrophy.
CReM researchers engineered two new categories of lung epithelial cells in vitro using pluripotent stem cells. The study used single-cell RNA sequencing to generate comprehensive profiles of air sack-like and airway-like cells, which can be used to create lung tissue in vitro.
The molecular microscope system uses gene chips to read molecules in heart and lung transplant biopsies, providing more precise readings with fewer tissue samples. The system is showing promising results for both heart and lung transplant biopsies, improving patient outcomes and reducing errors.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a new molecular target, FOXF1, that slows or stops idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in preclinical laboratory tests. The study found that FOXF1 inhibits IPF disease process by regulating genes involved in lung scarring and inflammation.
Three-quarters of COPD cases have origins in poor lung function pathways beginning in childhood, amplified by adult factors. Childhood illnesses and exposures are key indicators of COPD risk.
A new lung MRI method helps identify where airway inflammation and smooth muscle dysfunction occur in patients with severe asthma. This innovation aims to personalize therapy for individual patients, improving disease control and quality of life.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital describe an innovative approach that boosts neutrophil strength and kills bacteria more effectively, while minimizing lung tissue damage. By inhibiting IP6K, a key enzyme, the immune system produces 'super' neutrophils that actively kill bacteria without causing excessive inflammation.
A new approach to treating malignant pleural effusion in cancer patients combines talc with an indwelling pleural catheter, allowing for effective home-based treatment. The study found that patients treated with this combination were more than twice as likely to have their fluid dry up compared to those treated with IPC alone.
A team of researchers found that lung tumor cells can revert to a developmental program similar to their nearest relatives when a key gene is lost. This discovery highlights the remarkable resilience and adaptability of cancer cells.
Scientists have identified genetic patterns in Haemophilus influenzae that make certain strains more dangerous than others. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments and vaccines for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients.
A recent study found that transfusing older stored red blood cells can lead to adverse effects in critically ill patients. Free heme, a breakdown product from degraded red blood cells, is thought to be the key culprit behind this toxicity.
Rheumatologist Shervin Assassi is developing a blood test to determine which drugs work best for patients with lung disease and scleroderma. The new project aims to create prediction models that identify patients who are likely to respond to immunosuppression.
Researchers found that nerve cells in the lungs suppress immune response during infection with Staphylococcus aureus, leading to poorer outcomes. Disabling these neurons improved immune cell recruitment and cleared bacteria from the lungs, boosting survival rates.
Researchers have discovered that increasing lipid production in the lungs can reduce lung scarring by 70-80 percent. The study's findings suggest that failing to produce lipids due to injury or age-related metabolic changes may contribute to lung fibrosis development.
A new study reveals that primitive air-breathing fish, such as the South American lungfish, exhibit similar mechanisms controlling the heart as mammals. These mechanisms include a periodic breathing pattern and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), which enables the fish to maximize oxygen uptake during air-breathing bouts.
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München have discovered a novel mechanism that causes malignant pleural effusion in lung cancer patients. The mechanism involves inflammatory messengers from the immune system, leading to fluid buildup and accompanying malignant cells.
A new research project aims to determine why mine dust-related lung diseases are increasing in prevalence among coal workers. The study will use a multidisciplinary approach to examine the relationship between mine dust exposures and severe lung disease, with a focus on identifying critical risk factors.
A portable ultrasound helps nephrologists detect fluid in the lungs of patients with end-stage kidney disease, allowing for more targeted dialysis treatments. This technology could save around $21 million annually by reducing ER dialysis costs and unnecessary hospitalizations.
Researchers identified elevated tissue iron as a critical factor in fungal infection risks for lung transplant recipients. Elevated iron levels prompted Aspergillus invasion into transplanted tissue, suggesting a potential new approach to curb these life-threatening infections.
A new study found that women who clean at home or work experience a greater decline in lung function over time compared to those who do not. The accelerated lung function decline is comparable to smoking less than 20 pack-years.
A new medical imaging technology has enabled doctors to detect bacteria deep inside patients' lungs for the first time. Early tests indicate it can diagnose harmful bacteria in less than 60 seconds, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.
Researchers discovered a specific protein that reduces lung inflammation and improves survival in mice with the flu. The study found that administering this protein after infection improved survival rates by 40% compared to untreated mice.
Researchers at McGill University and Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that variations in large airway branches are associated with higher COPD prevalence. People with certain airway tree variations are more likely to have COPD, especially if they smoke, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking as the best antidote.
A study published in Thorax found that leisure-time vigorous physical activity is associated with better lung function among current smokers. Regular physical activity was shown to improve respiratory muscle endurance and strength, leading to higher lung function.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have identified an interaction between two molecules that can be manipulated to prevent airway closure in asthma. By targeting super-enhancers, they may develop more efficacious treatments than current steroids.
A large study found that fitter children have better lung function as young adults and a reduced risk of developing chronic lung diseases. The study suggests that improving childhood fitness could help protect against lung disease in adulthood.
A recent study found that blood clots in the lungs are extremely rare in patients who experience fainting and visit the emergency department. The researchers analyzed data from over 1.6 million adults across four countries, revealing a surprisingly low frequency of pulmonary embolism among those with syncope.
Research reveals e-cigarettes deliver carcinogenic compounds to human cells, damaging DNA and reducing repair mechanisms. Mice exposed to e-cigarette smoke showed increased DNA damage in vital organs, mirroring effects seen in cultured human lung and bladder cells.
Researchers found that lung bacterial infections and inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients start much earlier than expected in childhood. Therapies to break up mucus may offer the best route to a longer life for CF patients, as early intervention could dramatically increase quality of life.
A 24-month clinical trial found that regular e-cigarette use does not have negative health effects on smokers. The study showed reduced nicotine withdrawal symptoms, lower exposure to cigarette smoke constituents, and no increase in body weight.
Recent advances in gene therapy have led to successful treatments for patients with serious medical conditions. Emerging genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, hold promise for broader and more effective gene therapy approaches.
A new radiotracer, 18F-FDS, has been developed to identify and track bacterial infections in the lungs. The tracer was tested on mice with live bacteria or dead bacteria to induce inflammation, and it successfully differentiated between lung infection and inflammation.
Researchers at Kumamoto University found that abnormalities in ion channels ENaC and CFTR reduce zinc delivery to lung epithelial cells, leading to excessive mucus production. This discovery sheds light on the role of zinc in pulmonary diseases and highlights the need for a therapeutic approach that considers transport mechanisms.
The DFG is establishing 11 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers in Germany. These collaborations will focus on areas like cyber-physical production systems, mathematical complexity, and the regulation of mRNA life cycles. The groups will receive €134 million in funding over four and a half years.
A study found that adults who ate more than two tomatoes or three portions of fresh fruit per day had slower lung function decline over a 10-year period. The researchers suggest that certain components in these foods might help restore lung damage caused by smoking.
Scientists have identified 126 genetic differences among 80 genes associated with sleep duration in fruit fly populations. These findings may lead to better treatments for insomnia and narcolepsy, with little physiological consequence for extreme long or short sleepers.