Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
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.
Researchers found that using smaller mechanical breaths reduces deaths from acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The study showed a 22% decrease in mortality rates, giving acutely inflamed lungs a better chance of healing.
A nationwide clinical trial found that reducing tidal volumes in mechanical ventilation can cut mortality from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) by up to 22%. The study, involving 861 patients and coordinated at Massachusetts General Hospital, used a new technique with smaller oxygen puffs to provide breathing assistance.
Respiratory problems caused by workplace exposure affect various jobs, including farming, seafood industry, food processing, and manufacturing. Employers can take simple technological fixes to reduce worker risks.
A special diet formula with antioxidants and plant and fish oils reduced the need for ventilator support by an average of five days and ICU stay by five days in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The diet also significantly reduced organ failures, a common complication of ARDS.
Researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute identified a crucial lipid molecule produced by M. tuberculosis to infect lung tissue. The discovery could lead to improved vaccines and treatments for tuberculosis, which kills more people than AIDS or malaria.
A Phase I/II trial of NUVANCE, an investigational once-a-week inhaled asthma treatment, suggests the drug helped stabilize lung function for up to 12 weeks following discontinuation of inhaled corticosteroids. The treatment was generally well tolerated, with minimal decline in forced expiratory volume.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine has found that gamma/delta T cells are essential for regulating airway hyperresponsiveness, which is characterized by an exaggerated response to stimuli. The research suggests that these cells have a suppressive effect on airway constriction and may be a key target for future treatments.
Researchers at University of Florida report a 92% survival rate for newborns with diaphragmatic hernia using a new treatment strategy that reduces overventilation and delays corrective surgery, significantly improving lung function and development.
Researchers have found that tiny air pollutant particles can penetrate deeper into the lungs of healthy adults, potentially threatening their health. The study suggests that these particles can move up to two times faster through the airways than previously assumed, with implications for public health and environmental regulations.
Researchers have discovered that movement of salt and liquid in and out of lung surface cells plays a central role in regulating the lungs' internal liquid coating. This finding confirms a theory of how lungs protect themselves and may suggest better ways of treating cystic fibrosis.
A study found that African dust is a major factor affecting southeast U.S. air quality, with up to half of breathable particles in the air originating from Africa. The dust can push total airborne particles above the EPA's Clean Air Act limit on certain days.
Researchers developed a new therapy using an enhanced artificial surfactant that improves oxygen levels and protects natural surfactant in lung-affected patients. The treatment has potential for treating infants and adults with difficult-to-treat lung disease cases.
A new study presented at the American Lung Association/American Thoracic Society International Conference reveals that men are more likely to smoke when angry or anxious than women. The findings also suggest that male donors' lungs may be more prone to rejection in female recipients, increasing the risk of graft failure and death.
A new ventilator treatment has been shown to significantly reduce mortality among victims of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) by 25%. The treatment involves providing smaller breaths of oxygen-rich air, which may protect the lung from injury. This life-saving breakthrough could save thousands of lives annually.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that simultaneous bone marrow infusions at lung transplantation significantly reduced obliterative bronchiolitis, a marker for chronic rejection. The study showed a 25% reduction in chronic rejection incidence among recipients who received bone marrow infusions.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that lung transplant patients who received lungs preserved for more than six hours had similar survival rates compared to those stored for less than four hours. The study, which examined over 350 cases, suggests that the current organ allocation policy may need to be revised.
Cystic fibrosis damages young lungs due to chronic bacterial infections and a lack of liquid layer, which hinders the body's natural cleansing process. Researchers have discovered that the film of liquid coating airways is depleted in CF patients, preventing cilia from functioning properly.
A study found that spraying water with airborne bacteria in indoor swimming pools can lead to a lung disease called granulomatous pneumonitis. Lifeguards who worked long hours at pools with water features were most affected, and symptoms included cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
A new study by researchers at UCSF found that bartenders who worked in smoke-free conditions after the ban reported significant drops in coughing and other respiratory problems. Lung function also improved after the implementation of the smoke-free workplace law.
A recent study found that bartenders' respiratory health and lung function improved significantly after a smoke-free environment was established in California bars. The study, supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, suggests that banning smoking in bars can have a positive impact on the health of bartending staff.
Researchers found that malnourished rats producing more glutathione had enhanced free-radical fighting capacities, lungs, and liver protection. Glutathione supplementation nearly doubled lung GSH levels, increasing protection against damage.
A new study found that children retain more simulated air pollution per unit of lung surface area than adults, suggesting they are more susceptible to illnesses caused by polluted air. Researchers will extend their studies to exercising volunteers to further understand the effects of particulate air pollution on children.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center have developed a novel mass spectrometry technique, Micropore Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MMIMS), to quickly and accurately assess lung function. This device can directly measure trace gas tensions in small blood and breath samples.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that exposure to household smoking during childhood and adolescence can lead to diminished lung function in young adulthood. The researchers measured lung function in over 1,400 students and found that a mother's smoking in the home was associated with reduced air flow rates.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center reveals that inner-city asthma patients often rely on emergency rooms due to insufficient disease management. The research highlights the urgent need for comprehensive asthma intervention in Harlem, targeting community health workers to educate and support patients.
A new study found that consuming high levels of antioxidants like beta carotene, selenium, and vitamins C and E can significantly improve lung function, comparable to the difference between a nonsmoker and a long-term smoker. The research suggests that these antioxidants may help prevent asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that deep breaths can relax lung muscles and reduce wheezing in non-asthmatics by up to 80%. However, asthmatic patients showed minimal improvement from taking deep breaths before exposure to a contracting drug. This new finding could lead to the development of new asthma treatments.
Duke researchers have identified a lung condition in breast cancer patients that can limit therapy choices if not treated promptly. The disorder, DPTS, is successfully treated with inexpensive corticosteroids, improving pulmonary function by 17%.
A two-year study found that moderate air pollution can decrease lung function in adult hikers, even at relatively low ozone concentrations. Hikers with a history of asthma or wheezing experienced more pronounced declines.
A national trial is underway to determine the effectiveness of removing portions of lungs in patients with severe emphysema. The study aims to find out if the procedure improves long-term outcomes and reduces complications for patients with this debilitating disease.
Researchers at University at Buffalo found a miniscule increase in free radicals in the blood reflects lung damage equivalent to 3-5 years of aging. Oxidative stress was also associated with narrowing of pulmonary airways, while bilirubin showed a positive relationship to lung function.
A recent study suggests that a human gene variation affecting lung enzyme production may be associated with reduced susceptibility to lung cancer. The study found that approximately 8% of the population has the 'protective' gene form, which reduces by about 54% the risk of developing lung cancer among smokers.
Scientists found that mice lacking the macrophage elastase enzyme showed no signs of emphysema after heavy smoking. This discovery challenges previous theories and offers new hope for emphysema treatment. Researchers are now exploring metalloproteinase inhibitors to prevent the disease.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute have found a biological switch that drives the growth of lung cells in ex-smokers, leading to an increased risk of lung cancer. The 'switch' is triggered by gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptors, which capture circulating hormones and spur lung cell division.
Researchers at National Jewish Health will investigate the basic mechanisms of fibrosis and develop clinical trials to limit fibrotic response. Four interstitial lung disease research projects are underway, focusing on inflammation, growth factors, and cellular interactions.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found a natural antimicrobial compound called hTAP that appears to be disabled in CF patients, increasing their vulnerability to lung infections. The researchers believe mass-producing similar compounds could help fight lung infections in both CF patients and the general population.
A major seven-year national study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lung volume reduction surgery for people with severe emphysema. Patients selected for the surgery will undergo evaluation and medical therapy at either University of Maryland Medical Center or Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The NHLBI and HCFA have announced a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for patients with emphysema. The study aims to determine whether LVRS is a viable treatment option for this population, which currently has limited treatment options.
A temporary metal filter successfully caught a life-threatening blood clot in a bedridden patient, preventing catastrophic lung damage. The procedure, performed by Johns Hopkins physicians, marks the first use of the filter in the US and holds potential for thousands of accident victims.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed an implantable artificial lung that preserves lung function for 24 hours in animal models. The device is intended as a 'bridge to transplant' for patients awaiting lung transplants and as treatment for acute lung failure.
A five-center trial shows partial liquid ventilation is safe and effective, improving lung function and increasing survival chances for critically ill premature infants. The procedure involves introducing oxygen-rich liquid into the lungs, reducing pressure damage and improving oxygen exchange.