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Researchers identify biochemical mechanism behind a rare, painful genetic disease

A team of researchers at the National Institutes of Health has uncovered a possible biochemical mechanism behind ACDC disease, which causes calcium buildup in the arteries. The study suggests that treating this condition with drugs like etidronate could help reduce calcification and potentially lead to an effective treatment.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalScience Signaling·DateDec 13, 2016

Bacterial 'sabotage' handicaps ability to resolve devastating lung inflammation

Scientists have linked a new class of bacterial enzymes to the chronic lung inflammation hallmark of cystic fibrosis. The discovery provides two potential strategies for interrupting or correcting this interference by opportunistic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 12, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Reason why farm kids develop fewer allergies explained

A study found that farm dust exposure stimulates production of a protein called A20, which suppresses inflammatory immune responses in the lungs. This leads to lower rates of asthma and allergies in children who grow up on farms.

SourceBritish Society For Immunology·DateDec 6, 2016

Lung function decline accelerates in menopausal women

A longitudinal population-based study found that menopausal women experience an accelerated decline in lung function, with declines in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second comparable to severe smoking. The study highlights the importance of maintaining respiratory health long after the menopausal transition.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 2, 2016
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Turning off asthma attacks

Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a critical cellular switch that turns on the inflammatory immune response contributing to asthma attacks. By inhibiting this pathway, they may be able to prevent continued inflammation and long-term structural changes in the lungs.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 2, 2016

Inflammatory complications of immunodeficiency disease may benefit from imaging technique

Researchers used FDG PET-CT to assess anatomical structure and metabolic activity in a patient with GLILD, showing widespread metabolic activity affecting lymph nodes throughout the body. The study reveals that GLILD is a complex, highly metabolically active condition requiring optimal monitoring and treatment timing.

SourceBritish Society For Immunology·JournalClinical & Experimental Immunology·DateNov 30, 2016
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: Donor lungs could be kept alive for substantially longer with new lung preservation technique

A new study found that a combination of cold preservation and ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) can extend donor lung preservation time to over 12 hours without jeopardizing recipient outcomes. This technique has the potential to increase organ availability by reducing geographical limitations and enabling longer-distance transports.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateNov 17, 2016

Scientists develop tissue-engineered model of human lung and trachea

Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a tissue-engineered model of the human lung and trachea, which contains diverse cell types found in the respiratory tract. This breakthrough model has the potential to improve our understanding of lung regeneration and lead to new therapies for damaged lungs.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalTissue Engineering·DateNov 11, 2016
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Mimicking life-like cigarette smoke exposure in human lung airway chips

Researchers have developed a device that mimics the effects of cigarette smoke on human lungs, providing new insights into how non-smokers and COPD patients respond to smoke. The device enables the comparison of physiological responses in healthy individuals and COPD patients before and after exposure to cigarette smoke.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalCell Systems·DateOct 27, 2016
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Long-term oxygen treatment does not benefit some COPD patients

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that long-term oxygen treatment does not improve survival or reduce hospital admissions for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and moderately low blood oxygen levels. Researchers say these results underscore the need for new treatments for COPD.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 26, 2016

Neu5Gc in red meat and organs may pose a significant health hazard

A study found Neu5Gc in pig organs, particularly heart, spleen, kidney, and lungs, with concentrations increasing as organs are cooked. This non-human sialic acid sugar molecule may trigger an immune response, leading to chronic inflammation and increased risks of tumor formation and inflammatory diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalGlycoconjugate Journal·DateOct 19, 2016
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Infant nose, lung cells possess remarkably similar RNS patterns

Researchers have discovered that infant nose cells possess remarkably similar RNS patterns to those found in the lungs, enabling non-invasive diagnostic methods and potential therapeutics for pediatric lung diseases. This breakthrough could improve diagnosis and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other infant lung disea...

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 17, 2016

Reducing risk of lung distress in preterm babies

A new meta-analysis suggests that antenatal corticosteroids can improve lung development and reduce severe respiratory distress in preterm babies. The study found a significant reduction in respiratory distress syndrome among babies born between 34-37 weeks, including those delivered via scheduled C-section.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalThe BMJ·DateOct 17, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

E-cigarette vapor non-toxic to human lung cells in lab tests

Lab tests reveal e-cigarette vapor is non-toxic to human lung cells, even at unrealistically high doses. Cigarette smoke proves cytotoxic, with lung cells showing low levels of toxicity only after equivalent daily exposure in just one hour.

SourceR&D at British American Tobacco·JournalToxicology Mechanisms and Methods·DateOct 5, 2016
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

COPD exacerbations lead to lung function decline, particularly among those with mild COPD

Research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with significant long-term lung function loss. Those with mild COPD experienced the greatest FEV1 decline, with each exacerbation linked to an additional 23 m...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 8, 2016

No consensus on how the microbiome affects tuberculosis, review finds

Recent studies on tuberculosis have yielded conflicting results, leaving questions about the role of the lung microbiome in the disease. The variability in study methods, particularly in sampling techniques, may be a major contributor to these discrepancies.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso·JournalClinical Microbiology Reviews·DateSep 7, 2016
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Circulating immune cells as biomarkers for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

A study by Helmholtz Zentrum München found that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are increased in the blood of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), correlating with lung function decline. MDSC may serve as a biomarker for IPF diagnosis and disease progression.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateSep 2, 2016

Oxygen can impair cancer immunotherapy in mice

Researchers found that oxygen inhibits the anticancer activity of T cells in mice, allowing cancer cells to escape immune attack and establish metastatic colonies. Inhibiting oxygen-sensing proteins in T cells improved the efficacy of immunotherapy, suggesting a new approach for treating cancer.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalCell·DateAug 25, 2016
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Low risk of developing persistent opioid use after major surgery

A study published in JAMA Surgery found that major surgery patients are at a low risk of developing persistent opioid use. Out of 39,140 opioid-naive patients, only 168 continued to receive ongoing opioid prescriptions by 1 year after surgery, highlighting the low individual risk of long-term opioid use.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateAug 10, 2016

Research to improve treatment for millions of lung disease patients

A new four-dimensional lung scanning platform developed at Monash University has the potential to transform treatment for millions of people with lung disease. The technology allows clinicians to detect changes in lung function earlier, enabling them to quantify the effects of treatment.

SourceMonash University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Severity of kyphosis and decline in lung function: The Framingham study

Researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research found that women with the most severe kyphosis had the greatest declines in lung function. Hyperkyphosis restricts lung expansion and causes difficulty breathing, leading to serious health problems.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·DateJul 28, 2016

Pneumonia discovery may offer way to boost body's defenses

Researchers at UVA Health System have discovered a critical role of M-CSF in battling pneumonia. Without this cytokine, infected mice experience severe outcomes, including increased bacterial loads and organ failure.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateJul 28, 2016

Excessive daily TV watching may increase risk of death

A study by Japanese researchers found that watching TV for 2.5-4.9 hours daily increased pulmonary embolism deaths by 70%, with even more hours increasing the risk further. The risk is likely higher due to underreporting of deaths from this condition.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJul 25, 2016

DNA-modulating drug attenuates lung inflammation in mice

A DNA-modulating drug, BET inhibitor, attenuates CF lung inflammation by suppressing Th17 cell response and inflammatory factor release. In a mouse model, BET inhibitor treatment decreases lung inflammation without promoting infection, suggesting potential therapeutic use for CF patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJCI Insight·DateJul 21, 2016
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Stop the rogue ADAM gene and you stop asthma

Researchers at the University of Southampton have found a potential method for preventing asthma by targeting the ADAM33 gene, which is associated with airway remodelling and inflammation. Stopping the rogue gene can significantly reduce asthma symptoms in mice, suggesting a new approach to disease modification therapy.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 21, 2016

Fungus a possible precursor of severe respiratory diseases in pigs

A research team found that a fungus, Pneumocystis carinii, plays a more important role in pneumonia than previously thought. The fungus was detected in piglets of all ages and appeared to proliferate before bacterial pathogens, suggesting it may be a 'door opener' for secondary infections.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalJournal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation·DateJul 20, 2016
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Toxicological cross-check

Empa researchers develop new flame retardants with improved flame retardancy and no toxic effects, highlighting the importance of toxicological cross-checking before mass production. The newly developed EDA-DOPO is a good candidate for further development, showing better safety and effectiveness than previously available products.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalArchives of Toxicology·DateJul 18, 2016

Early echocardiography to study pulmonary hypertension in mouse model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

A new mouse model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia has been developed to study pulmonary hypertension, enabling the detection of the disease at an earlier time point through echocardiography tests. This breakthrough could lead to improved diagnoses and more effective treatments for premature infants.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease·DateJul 15, 2016
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.