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Childhood asthma declines during COVID-19 pandemic

A new Rutgers study finds that childhood asthma diagnoses decreased by 52% in the US during the first year of the pandemic compared to previous years. Researchers attribute this decline to fewer colds and the practice of wearing masks, which may have reduced the risk of asthma triggers.

SourceRutgers University·JournalRespiratory Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 31, 2023

The complete respiratory supercomplex identified

The study resolves a long-standing question about the structure of respiratory supercomplexes in unicellular eukaryotic organisms. Complex II is found to be part of the supercomplex in these organisms, optimizing ATP formation and revealing a surprising variety in supercomplex construction.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature·DateMar 22, 2023

CHEST releases clinical practice guideline on respiratory management of patients with neuromuscular weakness

The American College of Chest Physicians released a clinical practice guideline on respiratory management for patients with neuromuscular weakness, providing evidence-based recommendations for mouthpiece ventilation and airway clearance therapies. The guideline aims to improve care for this vulnerable population.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·Journalthe journal CHEST·DateMar 14, 2023

THE LANCET: Contracting a respiratory infection in early childhood associated with a higher risk of dying from respiratory disease as an adult, study finds

A new study published in The Lancet found that contracting a respiratory infection in early childhood is associated with a higher risk of dying from respiratory disease as an adult. Children who had a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) before the age of two were 93% more likely to die prematurely from respiratory disease, account...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2023

Chinese Medical Journal study identifies major risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with pneumoconiosis in China

A Chinese Medical Journal study found that smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of work-related injury insurance are significant risk factors for developing pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with pneumoconiosis. The study also identified rural birth, household exposure to patients with PTB, and hospitalization history as relevant ri...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeSurvey·DateMar 1, 2023

Improving diagnosis of chronic lung, ear and sinus infections in young children

University of Southampton researchers propose a new method for diagnosing primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in young children using nasal nitric oxide measurement while they breathe normally. This approach aims to improve early diagnosis and treatment, reducing the need for invasive procedures and enhancing patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 27, 2023

Children’s lung capacity improved in cleaner air

A new study published in the European Respiratory Journal reports that children's lung capacity has improved in areas with decreased air pollution in Stockholm. The researchers found a 20% lower risk of significantly impaired lung function in participants living in areas with better air quality.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2023

This ‘Harry Potter’ light sensor achieves magically high efficiency of 200 per cent

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a photodiode with sensitivity exceeding 200%, using green light and a double-layered cell design. This breakthrough enables the device to detect weak light signals, making it ideal for medical purposes, wearable monitoring, and machine vision applications.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

CityU scientists engineer a breath-to-charge electrostatic face mask for prolonged air filtration, reducing the environmental burden

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong develop a self-charging electrostatic face mask that can continuously replenish its electrostatic charge through the user's breathing. The mask provides high-efficiency airborne particle removal with 95.8% effectiveness after 60 hours of testing.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

Breathing muscles remain stronger even after weeks of no training: preserved health gains could improve physical endurance and quality of life for people with chronic lung conditions

Researchers found that breathing muscle strength persisted for five weeks after training stopped, suggesting potential benefits for physical endurance and quality of life in individuals with chronic lung conditions. Inspiratory muscle training also reduced the metaboreflex, allowing for improved exercise endurance.

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalExperimental Physiology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2023

Ideal cardiovascular health can help people live longer, finds Chinese Medical Journal study

A large-scale observational study from China demonstrates a strong link between ideal cardiovascular health and lower mortality rates. Individuals with higher scores on behavioral and medical factors had approximately a 50% lower risk of all-cause, CVD, and respiratory mortality compared to those with lower scores.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2023

Spanish scientists identify a new therapeutic target in macrophages for the treatment of obesity-related diseases

Macrophages adapt their metabolism according to the organ they reside in, reveals Spanish scientists. This discovery highlights a vulnerability of macrophages that contributes to chronic inflammatory diseases and could be exploited therapeutically for conditions like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Tuberculosis vaccine does not protect elderly against COVID-19

A large Dutch study found that the BCG vaccine does not protect elderly people with co-morbidities against COVID-19 symptoms. The study analyzed 6,112 participants and showed no difference in disease manifestations or hospitalizations between those who received the vaccine and those who received a placebo.

SourceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht·JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 2, 2023

Exertional dyspnea: a misleading presentation of pulmonary embolism

A recent study published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis found that exertional dyspnea can be a misleading presentation of pulmonary embolism, affecting 32% of patients under 75. The Pulmonary Embolism Dyspnea Italian Study (PEDIS) highlighted the importance of evaluating young patients with severe respiratory fatigue for ...

SourceFondazione Arianna Anticoagulazione·JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis·TypeObservational study·DateJan 24, 2023

Simple nasal spray significantly reduces snoring and breathing difficulties in children

A simple saline nasal spray was found to be as effective as an anti-inflammatory steroid nasal spray at easing sleep disordered breathing in children. The study showed that the nasal spray cleared symptoms while asleep in about 40% of cases and reduced the need for tonsil removals by half.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 17, 2023

Mired in silence

A UC Riverside study found that farmworkers in the Eastern Coachella Valley lack information and means to advocate for better public health due to language barriers, job insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. The study highlights disproportionate respiratory illness affecting Latinx children living near the Salton Sea.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateDec 22, 2022

AI model proactively predicts if a COVID-19 test might be positive or not

Researchers developed an accurate predictive model to distinguish between COVID-19 positive and negative test outcomes. The study found that symptom features, such as fever and difficulty breathing, play a significant role in predicting test results, with molecular tests yielding lower positive rates due to their dependence on viral load.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalSmart Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 13, 2022

Common workplace fumes and dusts may heighten rheumatoid arthritis risk

Exposure to common workplace agents is associated with a heightened risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, which can be exacerbated by smoking and genetic predisposition. The study found that certain agents, such as quartz dust and gasoline fumes, are strongly linked to an increased risk of ACPA-positive disease.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2022

The nose-brain pathway: exploring the role of trigeminal nerves in delivering intranasally administered antidepressant

Researchers developed a novel intranasal delivery system that utilizes the trigeminal nerve to deliver antidepressant drugs to the brain. The system showed efficacy at delivering the same dose as intracerebroventricular administration, highlighting a potential new approach for treating depression and other neurological disorders.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2022

New study: How breathing shapes our brain

A new study from Aarhus University found that breathing impacts our emotions, attention, and how we process the outside world. Brain rhythms are closely tied to the rhythm of breathing, making us more sensitive to the outside world when breathing in.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPsychological Review·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 8, 2022

Gut parasites may increase onward transmission of respiratory bugs

Co-infection with gut parasites increases shedding of respiratory bugs like Bordetella bacterium, leading to higher probability of onward transmission. This study in rabbits has broad implications for human populations and suggests targeting treatment of helminths could be an effective way to reduce disease outbreaks.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateNov 8, 2022