Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Exposure to air pollution worsens COVID-19 outcomes, even among the fully vaccinated

Researchers found that air pollutants, particularly fine particles and nitrogen dioxide, increase the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations up to 30% in vaccinated individuals. Long-term exposure also worsens outcomes, even among those fully vaccinated, highlighting the importance of improving indoor air quality.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 28, 2022

Air pollution may spur irregular heart rhythms in healthy teens

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that air pollution may trigger irregular heart rhythms in healthy teenagers, with exposure causing arrhythmias to occur within two hours. The research analyzed data from over 300 adolescents and found a significant impact of fine particulate matter on cardiac ...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateSep 14, 2022

Obstructive sleep apnoea linked to increased risk of cancer, a decline in mental processing powers and an increased risk of blood clots

A large study found that obstructive sleep apnea is independently associated with an increased risk of cancer. Patients with more severe OSA were also at a greater risk of developing blood clots. Additionally, a second study linked OSA to a decline in mental processing powers, particularly in the elderly.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2022

Lungless salamanders develop lungs as embryos despite lung loss in adults for millions of years

A new study reveals that four living amphibian clades, including the dominant Plethodontidae family of lungless salamanders, develop lungs as embryos but lose them as adults. This finding sheds light on the evolution of lung loss over millions of years and suggests that losing lungs may have enabled their remarkable evolutionary success.

Face shields don’t give high level COVID protection, study shows

A recent study from University of East Anglia compared 13 face shield styles in laboratory settings and surveyed over 600 people in Nigeria and Brazil about their views on face shields as PPE. The results showed that all face shields provided some protection, but none gave high levels against external droplets.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2022

CHOP-led study finds daycare linked to increased complications in preterm children with chronic lung disease

A multicenter study found that preterm children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia who attend daycare are more likely to visit the emergency department, use systemic steroids, and experience chronic respiratory symptoms. The risk of these complications is highest in infants under 1 year old and may persist until 36 months of age.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJul 26, 2022

Harvard researcher awarded HSFP Program Award 2022 Research Grant to study water to land transitions in arthropod evolution

A Harvard researcher has been awarded a $1.1 million grant to study the evolution of aerial breathing in arthropods, exploring how they transitioned from water to land over 100 million years ago. The team aims to understand the role of atmospheric oxygen in facilitating this process and its impact on respiratory structures.

Inhaled toxic particles take direct route from lungs to brain - study

A new study reveals that inhaled fine particles can take a direct route from lungs to brain through blood circulation, potentially contributing to brain disorders. The particles were found to stay longer in the brain than in other organs, raising concerns about the long-term effects of air pollution on cognitive function.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2022

Transcranial stimulation lowers blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension, study shows

A recent study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can lower blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. After a single session or ten sessions, the treatment reduced peripheral and central blood pressure in some patients by up to 15 mmHg.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine·DateJun 7, 2022

UCLA neuroscientists use electrical stimulation to restore breathing in surgery patients undergoing opioid-based anesthesia

Researchers administered epidural electrical stimulation (EES) to patients with degenerative spine diseases undergoing surgery, improving respiratory control and depth of breathing. The study provides proof of principle for using EES as an alternative treatment to combat opioid-induced respiratory depression.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022

Breathing to win: Scientists show importance of screening breathing patterns in athletic populations

A recent study reveals that 91% of athletes display dysfunctional breathing patterns, which can lead to increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries. The study emphasizes the importance of screening and addressing these patterns through targeted interventions and breathing training protocols.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2022

Drug reduced frequency of breathing pauses in sleep apnea

A new University of Gothenburg study has found that a drug treatment can reduce the frequency of breathing pauses in sleep apnea by an average of over 20 per hour. The treatment, which involves carbonic anhydrase inhibition, showed promising results with minimal side effects.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 14, 2022

Fighting viruses is as easy as breathing

Researchers from the Wyss Institute discovered that applying mechanical forces mimicking breathing motions suppresses influenza virus replication and activates protective innate immune responses. The Human Lung Chip was used to model these responses, leading to repurposed drugs for treating inflammatory lung diseases.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2022

Breathing restored within 10 minutes for 80% of overdose patients

A Norwegian University of Science and Technology-developed nasal spray has been tested on over 200 acute overdose patients, restoring breathing in 80% of cases within 10 minutes. The study's findings suggest the nasal spray provides enough antidote for patients to breathe on their own while minimizing the risk of triggering abstinence.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalAddiction·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 7, 2022

Pulse oximeters did not change outcomes for patients in COVID-19 monitoring program

A randomized trial by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that pulse oximeters did not change outcomes for patients with COVID-19 in a remote monitoring program. The study enrolled over 2,000 patients and found no statistical difference in the average number of days patients spent alive and out of the hospital.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 6, 2022

Hugging a “breathing” cushion to ease anxiety

A new, touch-based device has been developed to ease anxiety in students by mechanically simulating breathing. The 'breathing' cushion was found to be equally effective at reducing anxiety as guided meditation in a study of 129 volunteers.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2022

COVID-19 infection detected in breath tests

A new study from the University of Gothenburg detects SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus particles in microscopically small fluid droplets exhaled by patients with COVID-19. The findings show that a few breaths are sufficient to detect viral RNA, offering potential for easy and convenient breath tests.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInfluenza and Other Respiratory Viruses·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 22, 2022

Tracking the pulse of our nation's rivers, like a Fitbit for streams

Scientists monitoring hundreds of US streams with sensor technology are gaining insights into how freshwater vital signs shift in response to land development and climate change. The data, made publicly available, will help track changes over time and provide a better understanding of the 'pulse' of streams.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 21, 2022

Can SARS-CoV-2 be detected in a few exhalations?

Researchers detected SARS-CoV-2 in the exhaled breaths and coughs of individuals with COVID-19. The presence of virus RNA was mainly found in cough samples, but also in normal breaths and airway opening breaths.

SourceWiley·JournalInfluenza and Other Respiratory Viruses·DateFeb 8, 2022

New fossil reveals origin of arthropod breathing system

A new fossil discovery at the Chengjiang Fossil Site has provided a crucial link in understanding how arthropods evolved specialized limbs for breathing. The 520-million-year-old Erratus sperare organism has revealed the origins of biramous limbs, found in modern water-dwelling arthropods.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2022

High pressure (hyperbaric) oxygen resolves severe COVID-19 breathing difficulties faster than standard therapy

A small clinical trial found that high-pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment resolved severe COVID-19 breathing difficulties faster than standard therapy, with significant improvements in oxygen saturation and reduced risk of complications. However, further larger trials are needed to confirm the treatment's effects on survival.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 14, 2021