Articles tagged with Lungs
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.
Researchers identified 126 genetic variations in wild fruit flies that affect sleep duration, with some individuals needing more or less sleep than others. The study suggests that multiple signaling pathways contribute to sleep duration and may explain why a single purpose for sleep has been difficult to pin down.
A new study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center reveals that cancer gene PTEN works with CFTR to keep lung tissue free of potentially dangerous infections. The findings may explain why cystic fibrosis patients have a higher risk of GI cancer.
Nearly 3 in 10 elite footballers at top England clubs have undetected lung and airway issues that could impair performance. Lung health screening programmes are recommended to help identify and treat these problems, improving player well-being and on-field performance.
A study found that walking through traffic-polluted streets like Oxford Street in London can have negative effects on the heart and lungs, particularly in older adults. The study suggests that reducing vehicle emissions could help individuals enjoy the health benefits of physical activity.
A new study finds that short-term exposure to air pollution in urban areas like London can prevent the positive effects of exercise on cardiovascular and respiratory health. The research suggests that older adults should walk in green spaces away from built-up areas and pollution from traffic.
A Yale-led study shows that thyroid hormone therapy significantly resolves fibrosis in the lungs of mice, leading to increased survival. The researchers found that normalizing mitochondria function in epithelial cells protects them from damage and allows resolution of fibrosis.
Over 5,000 heart transplants annually worldwide, with significant improvements in immunosuppression and donor sourcing. The 50th anniversary celebrates pioneers like Christiaan Barnard and Norman Shumway.
People born prematurely may experience impaired lung function due to smaller airways. Researchers measured lung function at rest and during exercise to estimate airway size, finding it was smaller in premature groups.
A study by Vanderbilt University and Johns Hopkins researchers found that testosterone hinders an immune cell linked to asthma symptoms in women. This is due to the effects of testosterone on lung cells, which are more prevalent in asthmatic women than men.
Researchers found that blocking a key protein frees oxygen to damage iron-dependent proteins in lung and breast cancer cells, slowing their growth. The NFS1 protein is crucial for cancer cell survival in high-oxygen environments, but its inhibition may offer a new treatment option.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that lung cancer often leads to pulmonary hypertension due to immune cell activation and inflammatory processes triggered by cancer cells. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for developing a treatment.
Research shows cystic fibrosis patients in the US have better nutritional status and faster lung function improvements compared to those in Canada. The study suggests early implementation of newborn screening and quality improvement initiatives may contribute to these positive trends.
A new lab model was developed to test new therapeutics for cystic fibrosis. The model uses primary bronchial epithelial cells from CF patients and infectious/inflammatory factors normally found in the CF airways.
Researchers at MGH and UHN discovered a critical molecular pathway that induces lung and skin fibrosis in a mouse model. Suppressing ephrin-B2 expression blocked the development of lung fibrosis, while inhibiting ADAM10-sEphrin-B2 signaling reduced fibrosis and death.
The American Thoracic Society and Japanese Respiratory Society have published new clinical practice guidelines for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare lung disease affecting women of child-bearing age. The guidelines recommend a diagnostic approach that includes transbronchial lung biopsy before surgical lung biopsy, as well as earl...
Research suggests that older donor lungs can be used for transplantation with reasonable outcomes, expanding the donor pool. The study found no significant difference in 5-year survival between patients who received older versus younger donor lungs.
Researchers found that elevated blood eosinophil and neutrophil concentrations were associated with accelerated lung function decline and airflow obstruction. These biomarkers may serve as an early warning system for 9/11 firefighters at risk of developing severe lung problems.
Researchers at Drexel University have identified microRNA miR-34a as the 'master regulator' involved in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease affecting up to 15,000 premature infants annually. Inhibiting miR-34a significantly reduces BPD in mice, suggesting a potential new treatment target.
A new clinical trial has shown that the generic drug Dichloroacetate (DCA) can decrease blood pressure in lung vessels and improve walking ability in PAH patients, without significant side effects. DCA works by activating mitochondria, which are suppressed in PAH, leading to cell growth and overgrowth of cells narrowing vessel lumen.
A recent study found that genetic variants in epithelial sodium channels may help rehydrate the airways of cystic fibrosis patients, reducing bacterial build-up and promoting stable lung function. This discovery brings ENaCs into the spotlight as a potential new therapeutic target.
Researchers have identified a new gene linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a debilitating lung disease. The discovery suggests targeting a specific biological pathway may lead to new treatments for IPF.
Researchers discovered a virus-like particle vaccine can prime the immune response and prevent severe respiratory disease caused by RSV vaccine. The study found immunizing mice with RSV fusion proteins before administering the FI-RSV vaccine prevented lung inflammation and eosinophil invasion.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified two asthma phenotypes linked to distinct lung microbiomes, suggesting a potential for more precise treatments. The study found that targeting specific bacterial compositions may help control asthma severity and development.
New research suggests e-cigarettes can lead to lung disease, triggering increased neutrophil activation and altered mucin secretion. The study found similar biomarkers of oxidative stress and activation of innate defense mechanisms associated with lung disease in both e-cigarette and cigarette users.
Researchers found that an experimental drug stimulates alpha-7 nicotinic receptors, reducing inflammation and improving lung function in mice with chronic allergic conditions. The treatment also activated M2 macrophages, associated with tissue repair, and reduced pro-inflammatory molecules.
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that e-cigarettes trigger both unique and familiar immune responses in the lungs. Researchers compared sputum samples from e-cigarette users, cigarette smokers, and non-smokers, revealing significant increases in inflammatory biomarkers, oxida...
Pyroptosis, an explosive form of cell death, contributes to the high mortality rate of bloodstream infections by triggering excessive tissue injury. Caspase-11 is identified as a key enzyme in this process, making it a promising target for development of new treatments.
A newly engineered material, MeTro sealant, has been developed to seal lung tissue without sutures, showing complete sealing and evidence of promoting wound healing in laboratory tests. The sealant is derived from human protein and has improved biocompatibility compared to existing synthetic sealants.
A new study develops a super-elastic surgical sealant that effectively seals wounds in organs with moving tissues. The MeTro gel, based on elastin, can be photochemically tuned to bond well to tissue surfaces and seamlessly close incisions without running away.
A study published in Nature reveals how the nervous system communicates with the immune system in allergic asthma, identifying NMU signaling as a key amplifier of allergic inflammation. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic insights for preventing or treating allergic asthma.
Researchers discovered two predator bacteria, Vampirovibrio and Bdellovibrio, in cystic fibrosis patients' lungs, which may prevent colonization of disease-associated bacteria. The findings indicate a more complex lung microbiota than previously thought.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a new lung cell type implicated in innate immune defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae, one of the leading causes of pneumonia worldwide. The discovery may lead to new therapeutic strategies for combating this pathogen.
A new study found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can slow the decline in lung function in middle-aged women. Women who took long-term HRT performed better in lung function tests than those who never took HRT, losing an average of 46 ml less of lung volume over 20 years.
New research links respiratory tract infections in young children to an increased risk of asthma and worse lung function in later life. Children who had lower respiratory tract infections between 6 months and 5 years old had a two- to four-fold increased risk of developing asthma.
Researchers discovered mesenchymal cells drive lung cell formation through molecular interactions, guiding the production of alveolar and airway cells. This finding offers new avenues for treating lung disorders like asthma and emphysema.
Human immune cells in the lungs can trigger programmed cell death in inhaled fungal pathogens, preventing germination and host invasion. Pharmacologic inhibition of a key fungal protein has shown promise as a potential therapeutic approach against invasive aspergillosis.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine describes how airway dehydration leads to thick mucus accumulation, a hallmark of chronic bronchitis. The research found a strong association between mucin concentrations and disease severity in people with chronic bronchitis.
Researchers have successfully bioengineered a functional lung with perfusable and healthy vasculature in an ex vivo rodent lung. This breakthrough approach selectively treats epithelium while preserving lung vasculature, addressing the organ's extreme complexity.
Peter Vitiello receives NIH grant to investigate oxygen-sensitive molecules influencing lung growth in premature infants. The research aims to reduce the burden of lasting lung disease, which can have life-long effects.
A new virtual model of mouse lung function has been developed to better understand the relative importance of different factors contributing to lung changes in chronic inflammation. The study found that changes in lung recruitment and elastic fiber density were mainly responsible for declining lung function.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered how tuberculosis hijacks the immune system in human lungs, enabling it to establish an infection. The research found that TB bacteria produce a protein attracting white blood cells, which become infected and fuel uncontrolled bacterial growth and inflammation.