Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
A study by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Asthma Clinical Research Network found that low to medium doses of inhaled steroids improve lung function in most asthma patients. However, high doses may not provide additional benefits but increase the risk of adverse effects.
Researchers found that asthma does not increase the risk of having a common cold, but individuals with asthma are more likely to develop severe respiratory symptoms when infected. Rhinovirus infection was also linked to longer-lasting and more severe lower-respiratory-tract symptoms in those with asthma.
Researchers identified a novel pathway controlling branching morphogenesis, a critical process in development and tissue formation. This finding has implications for understanding diseases involving abnormal branching patterns.
A new study found that a single session of moderately intense exercise improves cognitive function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in verbal fluency. The effects are cumulative, suggesting that regular physical activity is necessary to maintain mental benefits.
Researchers found Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrives in low-oxygen environments of the airways, adapting to remove oxygen and producing protective sugar coatings. This discovery suggests a new strategy to target specific enzymes critical for bacterial survival, offering hope for improved treatment options.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are more susceptible to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections due to hypoxic mucus. Hypoxia disrupts the natural antimicrobial properties of mucus, creating an ideal environment for bacterial growth.
Researchers have identified aquaporin-1 protein's role in regulating water movement into and out of cells, a fundamental requirement for life. In a study comparing normal lungs to those without the protein, scientists found increased airway wall thickness and fluid leakage in those with aquaporin-1.
A study on preterm birth found that premature infants' lungs develop under different conditions after birth, affecting lung function. Leukotriene antagonists improved treatment for moderate to severe asthma by increasing pulmonary function and reducing symptoms. A personalized oral appliance also showed significant improvement in child...
UCSD researchers identify fibulin-5 as essential for elastic fiber development and organization. Mice without fibulin-5 exhibit severe skin and lung problems, including emphysema and aortic stiffness.
Researchers found a significant link between sarcoidosis and family history, with affected individuals more likely to have siblings or parents with the disease. Air pollution during adolescence also affects lung function growth and performance, while improved HIV treatment reduces the risk of pulmonary complications.
Children who move away from polluted areas exhibit increased lung function growth compared to those staying in Los Angeles, while pollution levels affect growth rates differently. The study supports earlier findings that air quality impacts children's lung health.
Research found that over 34% of ventilated patients are sexually active, with better lung function and younger age being key factors. Meanwhile, a study in Ethiopia linked home kerosene use to increased allergy risk, while another study showed nearly 40% of COPD exacerbations are caused by respiratory viruses.
A study found excessive inflammation and abnormal markings in lungs of healthy, middle-class children exposed to high levels of air pollutants in Mexico City. The research suggests a significant link between pollution and lung disease in otherwise healthy children.
Researchers discovered a link between the CFTR gene and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis. They found that altered CFTR can change the internal chemistry of lung cells, making them more attractive to certain bacteria.
A Sea Grant study found no Asian or North American lung flukes in over 800 Chinese mitten crabs collected in the San Francisco Bay. The crabs were analyzed alongside more than 400 crayfish, all of which were also free of the parasites.
Scientists at UNC Chapel Hill have discovered a highly ordered array of signaling molecules controlling the passage of chloride and other ions in healthy people. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for cystic fibrosis by restoring CFTR function through genetic engineering or drug therapy.
The OPTIMA study shows that low-dose budesonide alone reduces the risk of severe asthma exacerbations and poorly controlled days by half in previously untreated patients. Adding formoterol improves symptom control and reduces exacerbations in both previously untreated and corticosteroid-treated patients.
Researchers report significant advancements in sutureless vascular graft surgery, reducing operating time by up to 90%. The new techniques enable quicker connections of blood vessels and minimize damage to the heart, paving the way for minimally invasive surgery on the beating heart.
The NETT trial found that advanced emphysema patients with severe lung obstruction or evenly distributed damage should not undergo Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS). Instead, high-risk patients had a 30-day mortality rate of 16% and only slightly improved functional outcomes six months after surgery.
Researchers discovered that fathers' cigarette consumption levels impact children's lung function, with higher levels associated with greater deficits. Non-asthmatic girls showed the greatest declines in pulmonary function tests, suggesting a potential link between paternal smoking and childhood respiratory health.
A virtual lung model developed at PNNL may help predict pollutant impact on respiratory systems, providing new insights into asthma and other pulmonary diseases. The model simulates how pollutants enter, travel through, and collect in the lungs, enabling scientists to design targeted treatments.
Researchers found that inhaling tobramycin twice daily for 12 months effectively eradicated Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the airways of 14 cystic fibrosis patients, with nine remaining free from infection at two-year follow-up. The treatment regimen cures chronic lung infections in patients started soon after colonisation.
Research reveals antioxidant supplements can mitigate the negative effects of ozone gas on lung function. Additionally, tiny airborne particles are associated with increased risk of hospital admissions for heart disease among diabetics.
Researchers found that ultrasound-induced lung damage is dependent on beamwidth, pulse duration, and exposure duration. The air-blood barrier near the surface of the lung may be the principal target for ultrasound-induced lung damage.
A long-term study of over 1000 Finnish men found that reduced lung function due to smoking increases the risk of death from all causes. Quitting smoking halts this decline and reduces mortality risk, suggesting preserving lung function in later life may predict a longer life.
A study of over 300 employees found that workplace passive smoking significantly adversely affected lung function, with a 5-10% reduction in lung function at the highest levels of exposure. Non-smokers exposed to passive smoke at home or in public places showed no similar decline.
Researchers have identified scientifically based selection criteria for patients seeking lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) as a potential treatment for advanced emphysema. High-risk patients with severe lung damage and poor outcomes after surgery are no longer being enrolled in the study, but will continue to receive medical treatment.
Respiratory sounds can precisely determine the level of shortness of breath in asthma patients. A new computer program uses acoustic analysis to detect breathing problems, potentially setting off an alarm during sleep and enabling researchers to study conditions without inducing symptoms.
Jayraman et al. used fluorescent indicators to measure ASL salinity in normal human and CFTR-/- mice, finding no significant difference between the two groups. This noninvasive approach may provide new insights into lung diseases with poorly understood ASL properties.
Researchers found a significant association between chronic respiratory disease and periodontal disease in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Poor oral health worsens respiratory function and may increase risk of serious lower-respiratory-tract infections.
Research found that periodontal disease may increase a person's risk for respiratory disorders like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Patients with poor periodontal health had nearly a one-and-a-half times greater risk of developing COPD. Improved oral health may help prevent the progression of COPD.
A study found that using oral steroids to control severe asthma attacks reduced the risk of death from the disease by 90 percent. A written asthma action plan also significantly reduced the risk of death and hospitalization rates. Additionally, African-American women experienced a slower rate of lung function decline with age compared ...
A team of scientists at UNC-CH has discovered a human gene that produces a protein essential for generating forces powering cilia movement. This discovery could help understand and combat chronic lung diseases such as asthma and primary ciliary dyskinesia, which affect cilia function.
A recent NHLBI study found that inhaled corticosteroids do not significantly slow the progression of COPD, a disease affecting approximately 16 million Americans. However, patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids did experience fewer respiratory symptoms and improved lung sensitivity.
The American Thoracic Society recommends enhanced contact investigation to identify additional close contacts of active TB patients. Researchers also found that eliminating occupational exposure can prevent adult-onset asthma. Furthermore, children exposed to maternal smoking in utero show significant lung function deficits.
Researchers discover that mechanical deformation, such as stretching, can induce the expression of smooth muscle cell proteins and is crucial for normal lung development. This pathway may be disrupted in fetuses with oligohydramnion, leading to hypoplastic lungs.
Research by Imperial College scientists shows that previous infection history greatly affects the duration and severity of subsequent lung infections. This highlights the importance of considering past infections in vaccine design, particularly for individuals with varying ages and immune systems.
Children's lung development is slowed due to air pollution, according to a comprehensive study. Lung function growth rates were 10% lower in the most polluted community compared to cleaner areas, with effects also observed in asthmatic and healthy children.
Research highlights significant declines in lung function growth from air pollution and long-term effects of asthma on lung capacity. Studies found that children exposed to air pollution showed a 0.9% decline in annual lung function ability, while those with long-standing asthma experienced irreversible reductions in lung function.
Researchers developed a new technique that can target aerosol particles to smaller, harder-to-reach airways in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis. The method uses fine particles and varying inhalation rates to direct the spray to different areas of the lungs.
UI researchers find that a simple sugar, xylitol, can enhance the natural defense system of the body, potentially preventing deadly bacterial infections in CF lungs. The study shows that xylitol lowers the salt concentration of the airway surface liquid, favoring antimicrobial agents and killing invading bacteria.
The Jackson Laboratory has received a $14 million NIH grant to create a center for mouse models of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. The center aims to develop new models and databases for biomedical researchers worldwide, as well as advance understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying healthy function and diseases.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo found that impaired pulmonary function was associated with increased risk of mortality over a nearly 30-year period. The study showed that individuals with poorer lung function were more than twice as likely to die, highlighting the importance of regular lung function testing
The European Respiratory Society warns that hundreds of medicines can cause lung diseases, with 310 therapeutic substances identified as having iatrogenic effects. Early withdrawal of these medicines can reduce the risk of damaging sequelae in 70% of cases.
A large multi-center study is testing the life-saving potential and cost effectiveness of public access defibrillation (PAD). PAD involves placing defibrillators in community locations, where trained volunteers can access them, to improve emergency treatment for sudden cardiac arrest victims.
Research published in Thorax found that COPD rates in women have almost doubled over the past decade. The study analyzed data from over 4 million patients and found significant increases in COPD cases among older women. Despite this, women with severe COPD tend to survive longer than men with similar severity.
Hospital survival rates for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) patients have increased by 40% over the years 1992 to 1995, with a two-fold improvement in mechanical ventilation outcomes. New lung function data shows that Chinese children's lung capacity is lower than white youngsters', but also improved in certain tests.
Two separate groups of scientists identified a genetic mutation associated with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), a rare but devastating lung disease. Defects in the BMPR2 gene lead to abnormal proliferation of cells in the lungs characteristic of PPH.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that inhaling nitric oxide gas can prevent the development of pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) in infant rats by reducing cell proliferation in lung arteries. The study suggests that this therapy may significantly improve the quality of life and save lives of infants at risk for PVD.
A new national study found that unusual infections and fat emboli contribute significantly to acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease patients. The syndrome is the leading cause of death among sickle cell patients, and earlier diagnosis and treatment may save many lives.
Two studies found a decrease in respiratory illnesses among school-age children after improved air quality. Lung function continued to grow in adolescents despite cessation of growth in height, with males showing greater gains. A new diagnostic test for asthma in young children was also developed.
A Phase I study of aerosolized administration of tgAAV-CF showed efficient gene transfer throughout the upper airways of patients with mild CF lung disease. No neutralizing antibodies were detected, suggesting a good safety profile for further development.
Researchers discovered that low nitric oxide levels in mouse newborns with hypoplastic lungs hinder the proper development of blood vessels, leading to persistent pulmonary hypertension and respiratory distress. The study aims to identify genes affecting lung development and function.
Hot tubs can cause lung disease by dispersing bacteria through aerosolization, leading to symptoms like fever and weight loss. Removing the hot tub from the home is often the primary treatment for mild cases, while more severe cases require corticosteroids and antibiotics.
The American Thoracic Society announces new research findings highlighting significant differences in lung function test results between Asian Americans and European Americans. Additionally, experts discuss the potential of gene therapy for treating lung cancer, while studying lung changes caused by smoking and aging.
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that HIV-positive smokers are up to seven times more likely to develop emphysema. Early emphysema was detected in people with an average age of 35, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking for those living with HIV.
A new meta-analysis of 24 studies found that allergy shots can effectively treat allergic asthma in both adults and children, reducing symptoms and improving lung function. The research suggests that up to half of all adult asthmatics and an even greater proportion of children may benefit from immunotherapy.
The National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) is enrolling patients with severe emphysema to compare the outcomes of those receiving maximum medical therapy versus those undergoing lung volume reduction surgery. The study aims to assess factors such as exercise ability, longevity, and related issues in both groups.
A study of over 3300 schoolchildren found that babies exposed to their mothers' cigarette smoke while in the womb had poorer lung function. The effects were particularly noticeable on small airways and were more pronounced than those caused by environmental tobacco smoke exposure after birth.
A recent study found that smoking cannabis regularly may increase the risk of developing emphysema, a disease that damages lung tissue and reduces surface area. The study examined four young men who smoked heavily and found large areas of their lungs had disappeared and been replaced with cysts.