Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
TB bacteria coat themselves with mannose, making them attractive to lung cells that clean up unwanted sugar. This allows the bacteria to slip by the immune system, leading to latent infection. Two strains of TB have been found that do not use this sugar coating, suggesting specific interactions between strains and human immune systems.
A new dinosaur discovery from Argentina reveals the presence of air sacs in a 10-meter-long predatory dinosaur, Aerosteon riocoloradensis, which shares characteristics with birds. This finding supports decades of research suggesting that birds evolved from dinosaurs.
A new pig model for cystic fibrosis has been developed, closely mirroring the disease in human infants. The study's findings suggest that this model will aid in understanding the disease and may speed up the discovery of new treatments.
Researchers are conducting a new study to investigate the safety and effectiveness of airway bypass using drug-eluting stents for patients with advanced emphysema or COPD. The trial aims to provide a minimally invasive treatment option for patients who have limited treatment options, such as lung reduction surgery and inhalers.
Naren Vyavahare aims to extend the durability of bioprosthetic heart valves beyond 20 years through chemical linking of neomycin to tissue. Improved durability will enable surgeons to implant valves in younger patient populations with reduced risk of failure.
Researchers found that targeting Streptococcus milleri group (SMG) bacteria can disrupt Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial communities, leading to clinical benefits for patients. The approach has shown positive results in treating severe lung infections and may also be a treatment option for individuals with chronic lung infections.
Research suggests that eating broccoli may help patients with chronic lung disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The study found decreased levels of NRF2-dependent antioxidants and increased oxidative stress markers in lungs of smokers with COPD.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that NRF2, a master gene regulating antioxidant and pollutant-detoxifying genes, is significantly decreased in smokers with advanced COPD compared to those without. This discovery could lead to new drug therapies targeting the condition.
Researchers discovered a way to restore function of CF airway cells by manipulating cellular quality control machinery. This technique could significantly reduce sticky mucus that clogs lungs and leads to life-threatening infections.
A new drug development project aims to create a modified beta-blocker that targets the heart without affecting lungs, benefiting hundreds of thousands of heart patients with respiratory conditions. The treatment has the potential to become the general medicine of choice for all heart patients due to its reduced side effects.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati are studying variations of rare lung disease Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) to better understand its manifestations and develop more effective treatments. The study will compare patients with and without pulmonary hypertension to identify key differences in symptoms.
Researchers at Texas Instruments have developed a low-cost, portable spirometer using microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology. The device can measure airflow and volume in a patient's lungs and is ideal for remote monitoring by healthcare workers.
A Phase 2 trial of PTC124 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in CFTR-mediated chloride transport and lung function in patients with nonsense-mutation CF. The study showed that PTC124 induced chloride transport responses across various patient genotypes, offering a potential new treatment paradigm for this genetic disease.
A University of Michigan study found that cadmium exposure is a critical ingredient in smoking-related emphysema, increasing the risk by up to double. Even low-level exposure through second-hand smoke or other means can also increase lung disease risk.
Researchers found that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can block the lung's natural protective response to tobacco smoke, leading to increased oxidative stress and tissue damage. This co-factor may contribute to the development of COPD among smokers.
Researchers discovered insects use air bubbles to survive underwater, but find limits to depth and surface area. The study found bugs can dive as deep as 30 meters without bubble rupture.
Research at MIT shows how insects trap air on their bodies to create an external lung, enabling them to stay underwater indefinitely. The stability of the bubble depends on the spacing of hairs on the insect's abdomen, which must be balanced with surface area for breathing.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have linked extreme fatigue in lung-scarring disease to poor sleep quality, finding a 25% loss in R.E.M. sleep time among patients. The study shows that people with stiffened lungs and sleep problems experience reduced physical and mental activity scores.
Researchers have found a way to limit immune system's response and reduce inflammation in lungs caused by influenza, using CD200R receptor. Mice treated with mimic of CD200 or antibody to stimulate CD200R showed reduced weight loss and inflammation.
Researchers at the Trudeau Institute have made a new discovery about how white blood cells are navigated to the lung airways during an influenza infection. The findings suggest that specific types of white blood cells can recognize chemical messages produced by infected lungs, allowing them to move into tissues and attack the virus.
NOAA researchers discovered that inhaled brevetoxins from red tides can damage DNA and attach to genetic code, potentially leading to cancer. Long-term exposure could add to cumulative DNA damage, increasing cancer risk.
Researchers at UIC have identified a novel function for an enzyme involved in tissue injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The finding offers new therapeutic targets for lung inflammation and injury prevention.
Researchers from the University of Navarra and Applied Medical Research Centre have identified five genes that play a crucial role in the metastasis of breast tumors to the lung. These genes were found to be common to both animal models and human patients with breast cancer, offering new insights into the complex process of tumor sprea...
Researchers from Penn Medicine found that increased activity of the Wnt pathway leads to expansion of lung stem cells. This discovery could hold promise for therapies to repair lung tissue after injury or disease.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania reveals that hyponatremia is associated with worse right heart function and poorer patient outcomes in PAH patients. The study found that low serum sodium levels are linked to higher mortality rates, hospitalization rates, and severity of right heart failure.
A new research project uses computer modeling to look at the best way of using ventilators while minimizing the risk of injury. Real-life data collected from patients will be used to create the models, which could lead to computer management of ventilators for optimal treatment and reduced harm.
A team of researchers from the University of Leeds has made a breakthrough in understanding finger clubbing by identifying its link to lung cancer. The team discovered that a genetic mutation prevents the breakdown of fatty compound PGE2, leading to swollen fingers and fingernails.
A large group of soldiers returning from Iraq were diagnosed with bronchiolitis, a disease affecting the small airways of the lung. Prolonged exposure to sulfur dioxide from a mine fire near Mosul, Iraq in 2003 was found to be a major risk factor for the condition.
Two studies using data from the CARDIA cohort provide insights into lung disease and lung function in young adults. Low levels of adiponectin in fat cells are associated with an increased risk of asthma in women, while high levels of ICAM-1 are linked to lower lung function.
Researchers found that COPD patients who lived longer than two years obtained more positive results from their PR program than those with end-stage COPD. The study suggests that other factors present at end of life may contribute to poorer outcomes in exercise capacity and quality of life.
Researchers found that long, thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes behave like asbestos fibers when inhaled, posing a risk of mesothelioma. The study suggests steps should be taken to prevent inhalation and regulate their use.
Researchers found that markers of oxidative stress were positively associated with declines in lung function five years later. The study used data from the CARDIA cohort and found associations between oxidized LDL and lower lung function in both men and women, but particularly in women.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified a new type of immune response linked to severe asthma and COPD, enabling more precise diagnosis and targeted treatment. The study's findings promise to revolutionize the management of chronic inflammatory lung disease by detecting specific biomarkers in the lungs or bloodstream.
A study of caregivers of deceased lung transplant patients found that they reported poorly controlled symptoms and a worse quality of dying and death process, leading to significant depressive and PTSD symptoms. The researchers highlight the urgent need for improved support systems to alleviate caregiver stress.
A study of children with sickle cell disease found a significant decline in lung function over time, with an average loss of 2 percent per year of total lung capacity. The decline is characterized by a restrictive pattern, and certain hemoglobin-beta genotypes are associated with increased risk.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have explained the physics governing how thin materials transition from wrinkles to folds under compression. The study's findings have implications for the design of foldable electronics and the production of synthetic lung surfactant for therapeutic uses, with potential applications in both fields.
Researchers have found that doxycycline, commonly used to treat acne, can prevent tissue damage caused by emphysema. The study suggests that the antibiotic boosts the body's ability to protect against lung damage by increasing VEGF levels.
Researchers are studying the effects of lunar dust on astronaut health in low-gravity environments. The study found that tiny particles can remain suspended in the airways and potentially cause lung damage for extended periods.
Researchers at UTMB have developed a promising antiviral therapy against RSV using custom-designed molecules that target the genetic machinery of the virus. These 'morpholino oligomers' show minimal toxicity and significantly reduce RSV replication in cell culture and mouse experiments.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a novel technology that illuminates the lungs, enabling clinicians to identify functional damage and diseases. The technique uses hyperpolarised noble gases to produce high-resolution images, shedding new light on lung conditions such as emphysema and cystic fibrosis.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has identified a unique combination of blood proteins that distinguish IPF patients from normal controls with extraordinary sensitivity and precision. The five protein signature may help monitor lung fibrosis, detect disease progression, and evaluate treatment e...
Researchers have identified a common molecular disease pathway explaining how diverse non-infectious and infectious agents like anthrax, lung plague, SARS, and H5N1 avian influenza can cause severe lung failure with similar pathologies. Oxidative stress triggers the innate immune system, leading to severe lung damage.
A two-part series explores chronic cough, defined as a cough lasting longer than eight weeks, affecting 9-33% of the population. The causes are diverse, including airway diseases and cardiovascular conditions, and often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as idiopathic.
Researchers have developed tests that diagnose, predict or monitor cancer risks without invasive tissue sampling. Oral epithelium can be used as a surrogate tissue to assess molecular damage to the lungs, allowing for convenient biomonitoring methods.
Research found a strong link between engine exhaust and pneumonia deaths, with 35 local authorities accounting for over 15,000 excess deaths, equivalent to the annual death toll from London smog. The study suggests that pollutants directly damage lung tissue, increasing risk of progressive lung diseases such as COPD.
Patients with cystic fibrosis who develop life-threatening lung infections pose significant challenges for lung transplantation. The success rate of lung transplants in these patients is lower compared to those without such infections, sparking debate about whether to allocate donor lungs to them.
Researchers present data on gene-based blood testing that may help reduce immunosuppression and predict cardiac allograft rejection. Non-invasive molecular testing of routine blood samples provides information on the immune, inflammatory, and injury status of transplanted hearts before tissue damage occurs.
During WWII, physiologists developed altitude chambers to study high-altitude effects on humans. They trained animals to parachute and discovered techniques to prevent decompression sickness and hypoxia. These innovations paved the way for pressurized aircraft and safer air travel.
Experimental work on utilizing donor organs from cardiac arrested donors shows promise in addressing the critical organ shortage for lung and possibly heart transplantation. Strategies for organ preservation during transport, such as Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) and Organ Care System (OCS), are also being discussed.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded contracts to develop new mechanical circulatory support devices for children with congenital heart defects. These devices are designed to decrease wait list mortality and improve efficiency of organ utilization in pediatric patients.
Researchers link atherosclerosis to widespread organ damage and discover potential targets for treatment. The study found that biochemical signals in arteries can contribute to harm in the lungs, liver, and other organs.
Workers exposed to low levels of an asbestos-like mineral from Montana vermiculite are at increased risk for lung disease today. A 25-year follow-up study found that even low cumulative exposure can cause changes in the lining around the lungs.
Researchers discovered that alligators use a combination of muscles to shift their lungs and maneuver in the water. This unique ability allows them to dive, surface, and roll sideways without creating disturbance. The study highlights the importance of specialized muscles in aquatic animals for navigation and stealth.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that after-school programs increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among middle school girls by 80 calories a week. The intervention also reduced sedentary behavior by 8.2 minutes per day.
The March of Dimes has awarded $3.5 million to scientists studying the role of genes and heredity in premature births. The organization aims to understand the causes of preterm birth, which affects over half a million babies annually.
Researchers are investigating how biomechanical forces affect blood vessel growth in the lungs of babies with congenital heart disease. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind this phenomenon and potentially develop improved treatments for affected children.
Researchers discuss the potential for developing new therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by targeting abnormal embryonic pathways. The treatment imperative for cardiac interventions in older patients also drives this need for innovative treatments.
Bilateral lung transplantation in younger patients with end-stage COPD provides longer survival than single lung transplantation, with median survival times of 6.41 and 4.59 years, respectively. This finding holds true even after adjusting for pre-transplant characteristics.
A study found that genetic variations modifying MBL2 expression are associated with more severe CF symptoms, including faster lung decline in patients deficient in the protein. This may lead to new approaches for treating those at risk of increased disease severity.
Recovery from flu leaves lungs vulnerable to pneumonia-causing bacteria due to immune system suppression. This 'protection mechanism' may also affect response to environmental allergens.