Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The H.L. Hunley's explosive torpedo instantly killed its crew of eight due to a powerful shockwave that traveled through soft tissues, particularly lungs and brains. Researchers estimate the likelihood of fatal lung trauma to be at least 85% for each crew member.
Researchers at Norton Thoracic Institute have developed a new approach to treat an aggressive subgroup of lung cancer. The study found that patients with tumors harboring specific genomic mutations, such as KRAS and LKB1, are more likely to benefit from a novel drug in clinical trials.
Researchers at UTMB and Houston Methodist are growing lungs in space to understand how lung cells react to the change in gravity and extreme space environment. The goal is to develop therapeutics that could help astronauts and people on Earth with autoimmune diseases, hormone deficiencies, and other issues.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have identified a 'checkpoint' manned by immune cells that can halt allergic disease development. This discovery provides a potential new target for drug developers to regulate overly aggressive allergic responses.
Researchers found that paclitaxel, a breast cancer treatment, can fuel the spread of disease to lungs by creating an environment hospitable to cancer cells. The study identified a gene called Atf3 as key to this process, which helps distribute 'seeds' (cancer cells) and fertilize the 'soil' (lungs).
Researchers develop a potential stem cell treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis by harvesting lung stem cells noninvasively and multiplying them in the lab. The therapy has shown promising results in treating IPF in rodent models.
Researchers found that a kinase-inactive Braf mutant triggers lung adenocarcinoma in mice, and co-expression of oncogenic Kras enhances tumor initiation. Additionally, individual Braf inactivating mutations are also oncogenic events. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for lung cancer patients with hypoactive BRAF.
Research in sheep model reveals babies born to overweight, obese mothers have less mature lungs, producing less surfactant and fewer cells that make it. This can lead to lung problems at birth and later during infancy and childhood.
Researchers have identified two new biological markers of cystic fibrosis, which could lead to improved prognosis and better therapies for patients. The biomarkers were discovered through a specialized technique developed at McMaster University, where scientists collected and analyzed sweat samples from infants in CF clinics.
Researchers developed a new type of sweat test that can overcome the challenge of ambiguous results in current tests. The test identifies alternative molecules found in sweat associated with CF, providing staging and prognostic information.
A new study published in Thorax found that smokers who undergo a low-dose CT scan of their lungs are more likely to quit smoking. The UK Lung Cancer Screening trial involved 4,055 participants and showed a 15% success rate in quitting after two years.
A new technology analyzes lung sounds in children to predict asthma attack symptoms and identify asymptomatic kids at high risk. The approach was useful in a study of 70 severely asthmatic children.
A new study by Duke University found a connection between ozone pollution and cardiovascular health in Chinese adults. Exposure to ozone was linked to increased platelets, elevated blood pressure, and other factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease.
A study by Helmholtz Munich researchers found that certain subtypes of COPD are associated with changes in the lung microbiome, which may promote pathogenic bacteria. The findings suggest personalized medicine approaches should consider the microbiome when treating patients with specific COPD subtypes.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that monitoring Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 7A (ZBTB7A) can be an early predictor of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). This discovery fills the void for a reliable marker, opening new opportunities for diagnosis and prevention.
A Temple-led research team found a notable decrease in IVC filter usage following the FDA advisory, with implantation rates remaining high compared to European countries. The study also showed that VTE-related hospitalization rates remained steady despite the decline in IVC filter use.
Researchers at UVA are receiving $8.6 million in federal grants to support cutting-edge projects that could dramatically increase the number of lungs available for transplant and save lives. The funding supports efforts to detect post-transplant complications, prevent IR injury, and better understand its causes.
A computerized decision-making model has been developed to promote shared decision-making with cystic fibrosis patients, taking into account their preferences for measures of lung function and health. The tool helps prioritize home treatments by integrating patients' personal goals, values, and treatment preferences.
Researchers developed an AI-based approach to extract lung nodules from chest CTs, improving diagnosis accuracy and reducing false positives. The method can be integrated into existing CADe systems and accommodate new data streams, potentially increasing the five-year survival rate for lung cancer patients.