Articles tagged with Lungs
A new method allows researchers to create 3D images of oxygen and CO2 transport in the lungs, providing hope for improved treatment of COPD and lung cancer. The technique enables doctors to better predict patient outcomes and develop personalized treatments.
A Mayo Clinic study of 102 lung transplant patients found that those who were frail before surgery had lower survival rates at one and three years post-transplant. Frailty was associated with decreased survival and poorer outcomes.
A leading researcher at the Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing is developing new treatments for cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disease. The scientist will lead two studies to explore gene-modifying treatments that can minimize CF symptoms, including medications and genetic correction.
A new study has found a link between early pesticide exposure and decreased lung function in children, with increased organophosphate metabolites associated with reduced air capacity. The study's findings suggest that chronic exposure to pesticides could leave children at risk of developing respiratory problems like COPD.
A new technology called 'extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal' aims to minimize damage to lungs caused by mechanical ventilation. The study will test its effectiveness in reducing mortality rates and improving long-term survival for patients with respiratory failure.
A new study found that women with subsolid lung nodules have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than men. The study, which reviewed CT scans from the National Lung Screening Trial, discovered that women with ground-glass nodules had a significantly higher relative risk of lung cancer.
Adults with short stature receive fewer lung transplants, have higher death and respiratory failure rates while waiting, report says. Researchers call for height to be taken into account when allocating donor organs to address disparity.
A recent study has found that treating a parasitic worm infection can reduce lung damage and susceptibility to tuberculosis in mice. The research suggests that using inexpensive anti-parasitic drugs could be an effective way to prevent TB in areas where both infections are common.
Researchers used a 3D printed model of the human airway to study how airflow affects the transfer of volatile particles from the back of the mouth to the nasal cavity. They found that slow, steady breathing optimizes the delivery of these particles, leading to better food enjoyment.
Researchers have identified biomarkers and potential therapeutic approaches for pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM), a rare lung disease. A low-phosphate diet and EDTA treatment were found to prevent stone development and reverse lung calcification in animal models.
Lung researcher Dr. Marie-Liesse Asselin-Labat has received a competitive $1.225 million Viertel Fellowship to investigate lung development and cancer. The funding will support her work on developing better treatments for premature babies with underdeveloped lungs and those with lung disease, including cancer.
Research found that patients who listed at multiple centers had higher transplant rates and lower death rates while waiting. Wealthier patients were more likely to be insured and had the resources to list at multiple centers, addressing long waiting times and organ shortage issues.
A study published in the American Journal of Transplantation shows that new policies could increase pediatric lung transplants by twice as much. The research team tested alternative allocation models to improve pediatric access to donor lungs and found two models resulted in significantly more transplants for pediatric patients.
Researchers found that patrolling monocytes play a key role in blocking lung metastasis by recognizing and scavenging tumor cells. This discovery could lead to new treatments for lung cancer by augmenting existing immunotherapy approaches.
Clinicians presented rare cases of methemoglobinemia after Jungle Juice ingestion, as well as a patient with worsening dyspnea and dry cough following buttock augmentation gone wrong. Silicone emboli to the lungs can induce acute pneumonitis syndrome, which was successfully treated with corticosteroids.
Researchers detected carbon nanotubes in Parisian children's lung cells and exhaust pipes, suggesting widespread exposure to the pollutants. The findings prompt further investigation into the potential health effects of nanotubes, which are found naturally but also produced by human activities.
Research at Mayo Clinic found that 42% of lung transplant patients exhibit depression-related emotional symptoms and 52% have depression-related physical symptoms. These findings highlight the need for interventions to reduce stress and support emotional health in patients awaiting a transplant.
A digital health application facilitated early detection and treatment of COPD exacerbation symptoms, with patient adherence exceeding 90% and response times to worsening COPD symptoms in less than 11 hours. The app uses a symptom score system to generate alerts and provide evidence-based treatment recommendations.
Researchers identify nanoparticulate carbon black as main culprit in emphysema. The material accumulates in dendritic cells and antigen-presenting cells, causing inflammation and DNA damage. Studies find that size and dose of particles affect toxicity.
The sonic hedgehog gene plays a crucial role in maintaining the normal physiological state and repair process of an adult healthy lung. In contrast to previous reports, hedgehog signaling decreases after lung injury, which correlates with the loss of cells that normally express the sonic hedgehog gene.
The University of Pittsburgh will lead a $15 million, five-year initiative to manage national clinical trials for breathing disorders. The program aims to develop new treatments for conditions like COPD and pulmonary hypertension.
Researchers have found five genetic regions that play major roles in cystic fibrosis disease severity, which could lead to new therapies. The study analyzed over 6,000 patients and identified genetic variations associated with lung disease.
A UK Biobank study has identified genetic differences that affect lung health, including those who smoke and never smoked. The research may lead to improved treatments for diseases like COPD and help smokers quit.
A novel approach for identifying patients with undiagnosed clinically-significant COPD has been developed. The new tool consists of several questions that can be used to aid clinicians in finding people with moderate or severe COPD, or those at risk of exacerbations before loss of lung function occurs.
Researchers found that lung transplant patients living on or near busy roads with high levels of air pollution are more likely to die or experience chronic organ rejection compared to those in less polluted areas. Taking macrolides, a class of antibiotics, may protect against the devastating effects of air pollution.
Researchers found a link between metalworking fluid exposure and lymphocytic bronchiolitis, a condition causing immune cell overgrowth in the lungs, leading to irreversible damage. The study suggests that workers with higher exposure levels reported more symptoms despite similar lung function.
A new UK Biobank study has identified six independent genetic variants associated with lung health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The findings also suggest that genetic variations affecting gene regulation may play a role in COPD, providing potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
The study found that everolimus improved progression-free survival by 52% and increased median progression-free survival by over seven months in patients with advanced, nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumors. The treatment was well-tolerated, with common side effects including aphthous ulceration, rash, diarrhea, fatigue, and infections.
Researchers have shown that the mTOR inhibitor everolimus can delay tumour growth among both gastrointestinal and lung NETs, particularly for patients with lung tumours. The trial included 302 patients and found a 52% reduction in progression or death risk and a clinically meaningful improvement in median progression-free survival.
Researchers discovered genetic changes in premalignant lung lesions that occurred before cancerous growth, detectable in blood samples. The findings suggest that circulating DNA can be used to identify patients at risk of developing lung cancer, enabling early intervention and potentially improving treatment outcomes.
New research reveals that smog exposure can cause the formation of free radicals in lung proteins, leading to damage, inflammation, and breathing difficulties. The study, conducted in a controlled environment, suggests that ozone reacts with amino acids in lungs, triggering the creation of highly reactive species.
Researchers used ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) to recondition poorly functioning lungs, removing donor white blood cells and reducing the risk of acute rejection. This technique can increase access to transplantation and shorten waiting list times.
A new method of harvesting and growing lung stem cells has been developed by researchers at NC State University, which could provide an effective treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study used a multicellular spheroid environment to enrich adult lung stem cells, which showed promise in mice trials with reduced inflam...
Researchers have identified a naturally occurring blood protein called lumican as a key player in the development of excessive scar tissue in fibrotic diseases. The study suggests that lumican triggers a vicious cycle when stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha, leading to increased production of scar tissue.
A CTCA study found that the lung microbiome diversity in patients with lung cancer was characterized by a significant presence of Streptococcaceae family bacteria. This discovery may lead to new pharmacological cancer prevention strategies and improved treatment outcomes for lung cancer patients.
A study found voriconazole significantly increases risk for skin cancer and death in lung transplant recipients, with a 73% greater risk for skin cancer. Physicians are advised to counsel patients on skin cancer risk and consider patient-specific factors when prescribing the drug.
A Penn study identified immunostimulatory defective viral genomes as a key player in eliciting an immune response against RSV. In human and mouse models, the presence of DVGs was correlated with improved immune function and reduced disease severity.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered that termite mounds breathe once a day as temperature oscillations drive ventilation. The mounds' structure, with central chimneys and thin exterior walls, allows gases to exchange and maintain efficient airflow.
Researchers aim to optimize aerobic exercise training for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, which could improve blood pressure in the lungs, skeletal muscle, and heart metabolism. High-intensity interval training has shown promising results in reversing enlargement of the right ventricle and improving blood pressures.
Researchers found that bacteria in different lung regions evolved distinct traits, including antibiotic resistance and virulence, affecting patient health. The study suggests that understanding this bacterial diversity could lead to new treatments for chronic infections.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed an algorithm that can assess the onset time, pitch and magnitude of wheezing sounds to provide healthcare professionals with information about lung condition. The algorithm is effective regardless of patient size and can handle breathing pattern variability.
Researchers at U-M have identified a key link between stress signals and bacterial growth in the lungs, which may lead to better prevention and treatment of pneumonia. The study found that certain bacteria thrive in response to catecholamines, a type of distress signal produced by the body's immune cells.
A new technique has been developed to objectively quantify ciliary movement, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnosis of cilia-related disorders. The method, which uses computational methods, correctly identified over 90% of cases with primary ciliary dyskinesia.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a DNA-loaded nanoparticle that can penetrate the human airway mucus barrier in lungs, offering a potential breakthrough for treating cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases. The biodegradable nanoparticles successfully delivered therapeutic genes to the lungs of animals, producing hi...
A new study reports that a targeted molecular contrast agent can be used to cause lung adenocarcinomas to fluoresce during pulmonary surgery, enabling real-time optical imaging and precise visualization of tumor margins. The technique showed promise in localizing tumors and detecting metastatic cancer cells with high accuracy.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered that increased protein turnover by the 26S proteasome is responsible for the activation of myofibroblasts, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. Inhibiting the 26S proteasome can prevent differentiation of primary human lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have created a dynamic functional mouse model for lung injury repair. The novel model used targeted Type 2 Alveolar Epithelial cells (AEC2) to study the effects of cell depletion on lung function and disease.
Scientists propose using embryonic stem cells to repair damaged lung tissue, with successful results in mouse models. The study overcomes a major obstacle by harvesting stem cells from the ideal time frame for lung regeneration.
University of Michigan researchers created a computer model that predicts the flow of liquid medication in human lungs, providing new insight into treating acute respiratory distress syndrome. The model suggests using a less concentrated version of the medication and optimizing its delivery based on individual patient characteristics.
A groundbreaking study reveals that COPD can develop without accelerated lung function decline. The research indicates two major trajectories of lung function leading to COPD: a fast decline trajectory and an alternative trajectory where suboptimal lung function development in childhood and adolescence is the primary determinant.
Researchers have measured the immense airflows generated by breathing dolphins, finding they can inhale up to 33.4 l/s but exhale up to 137.6 l/s, surpassing terrestrial champion horses. The study reveals the dolphins' lungs are compressible and highly efficient.
A new study published in Radiology found that MRI and CT scans can help explain COPD symptoms and exercise limitations, allowing for more personalized treatment. The findings suggest that lung imaging can provide a deeper understanding of the disease and improve patient outcomes.
A phase 2 trial has shown that gene therapy can improve lung function in people with cystic fibrosis, with a significant benefit seen in patients who received the treatment. The technique uses inhaled molecules of DNA to deliver a normal working copy of the CFTR gene to lung cells.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered a molecular mechanism behind pulmonary fibrosis in Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome patients. They propose two therapeutic strategies: manipulating CHI3L1 and CRTH2 proteins to slow down scarring.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital develop a new treatment strategy targeting nerve endings to combat allergic asthma. By selectively silencing sensory neurons called nociceptors, the approach reduces inflammation and bronchial twitchiness in mouse models of acute and chronic asthma.
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study found that cystic fibrosis is more deadly for Hispanic than non-Hispanic patients, with almost three times the mortality rate. Despite equal access to CF specialty clinics, genetic differences may be contributing to this disparity.
A new study published in Radiology found that annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening can safely monitor people with nonsolid lung nodules, reducing the need for unnecessary surgery and additional imaging. Nonsolid nodules are visible on CT scans of the chest and management is challenging.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified two proteins responsible for initiating the labor process, which control genes for pulmonary surfactant components that promote labor. Surfactant is essential for normal breathing outside the womb. Understanding these molecular mechanisms may help prevent preterm birth.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that statin therapy may reduce major complications after lung surgery. The study showed a significant reduction in postoperative complications, including pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis, but not in atrial fibrillation rates or inflammatory markers.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that more than half of long-term smokers and ex-smokers who pass lung-function tests have respiratory-related impairments. The researchers evaluated 8,872 people aged 45 to 80 who had smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for 10 years.