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Surgery for child apnea leads to weight gain

A study published in Pediatrics found that children who underwent surgery for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB) due to enlarged adenoids experienced a significant increase in excess weight, averaging 13% over 12.6 months. This weight gain may be linked to reduced motor activity and poor sleep quality after the surgery.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateFeb 28, 2006

Gum-chewing may speed recovery after colon surgery

Patients who chewed sugarless gum three times a day experienced shorter hospital stays (4.3 days vs. 6.8 days) and earlier gas passage and first bowel movements compared to control groups. Chewing gum may stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, promoting hormones that activate bowel motility.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateFeb 20, 2006

No pacemakers in the brain may explain cot death

A subset of brain cells with pacemaking abilities has been identified as essential for gasping in infants, resolving a 15-year-old controversy. The discovery highlights the importance of autoresuscitation and gasping in maintaining oxygen supplies and heart rate during critical low-oxygen conditions.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Reviews Neuroscience·DateFeb 12, 2006

Mayo Clinic develops new coma measurement system

The Mayo Clinic has developed a new coma measurement system called the FOUR Score, which quantifies the level of consciousness and severity of brain injury. The score, tested in 120 intensive care unit patients, provides more precise measurements and higher agreement between evaluators than the Glasgow Coma Scale.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateSep 8, 2005

How exactly does the brain control breathing?

Researcher Patrice G. Guyenet proposes that central chemoreceptors are located in the retrofacial region of the brainstem, loaded with glutamate, to sense pH changes in cerebrospinal fluid. In contrast, Dr. Richerson suggests that these receptors are found near midline blood vessels to 'taste' blood pH levels.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalExperimental Physiology·DateMay 11, 2005

Former UNC students report mindfulness meditation helps relationships

A study conducted by Dr. James Carson and his wife Kimberly found that mindfulness meditation can help couples reduce interpersonal stress and boost their satisfaction with each other by 50%. The eight-week training sessions taught couples how to become more aware of the present moment and direct positive feelings toward their loved ones.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalBehavior Therapy·DateFeb 7, 2005

Monitoring life, one breath at a time

Researchers have developed a transistor that fuses carbon nanotubes with polymers to create a capnography sensor detecting subtle changes in CO2 concentrations. This technology may provide a new tool for emergency responders to monitor patients' respiratory patterns and verify breathing tube placement.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 10, 2004

American Thoracic Society journal news tips for November 2004 (first issue)

A study found that melatonin improved sleep quality in women with mild to moderate asthma without affecting asthma symptoms. Another study revealed a high prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing among commercial truck drivers, linked to increased accident risk and substance abuse. Critical care use was common among seriously ill patie...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 1, 2004

Childhood sleep-disordered breathing severity related to tonsil size, oropharyngeal volume

Research reveals that children with narrow retropalatal air spaces have more severe SDB due to significantly larger tonsil and soft palate CSAs. The study found a significant correlation between OAHI and oropharyngeal volume, indicating the importance of pharyngeal geometry and soft tissue anatomy in determining SDB severity.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateDec 3, 2003

Leaf fall in ancient polar forests still a mystery

Researchers tested ancient tree species to disprove the carbon loss hypothesis, which suggested deciduous trees had an advantage in polar forests. The study found that deciduous trees actually lose more carbon than evergreen trees, challenging the long-held theory.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateJul 2, 2003

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for July 2003 (first issue)

Researchers published studies on new treatments for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a potential new treatment for pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell patients using oral arginine, and the benefits of noninvasive ventilation. Early removal of breathing tubes, combined with noninvasive ventilation, significantly reduced hospi...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 25, 2003

Prenatal exposure to nicotine increases risk of apnea in brains of newborn rats

A study found that prenatal exposure to nicotine increases the function and density of GABAa receptors in brain regions controlling breathing, leading to more frequent and prolonged episodes of apnea in newborn rats. This suggests a possible link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndro...