Research identifies Colorado River flow decline as main cause of Salton Sea's shrinking, leading to increased salt and chemical concentrations. The study highlights the need for a watershed-centric approach to mitigate the environmental risks and health impacts of the Salton Sea's decline.
A study modeling 1.2 million individuals found 6.2% experienced at least one Long COVID symptom cluster within three months of acute infection. Risk was higher in females and those requiring hospitalization for initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially ICU care.
Research at the 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition found disparities in pediatric household preparedness for wildfires, particularly among less educated caregivers. Households with children having breathing issues were more likely to be prepared for wildfires.
A study of 265 patients found full vaccination status was associated with lower mortality among those intubated due to COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome. The results may inform discussions on prognosis for families.
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.
A recent study found that mechanical ventilation can cause irreversible tissue damage in premature lungs, leading to impaired lung cell function. The study showed that even low pressure can result in structural changes on the cell surface, disrupting molecule transport and water balance.
A study reveals that alveolar macrophages, responsible for filtering bacteria and viruses from the lungs, fail to function properly when lacking a crucial transcription factor called C/EBPb. This leads to an accumulation of surfactant in the lungs, causing pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), a hitherto incurable disease.
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 ...
A small qualitative study found that emergency departments often fail to provide dignified and respectful care to frail older patients, leading to long waits and poor communication. The researchers recommend making healthcare settings more 'frailty friendly' by prioritizing patient comfort and involvement.
A team of scientists developed a chip that simulates the human lung's breathing pattern, allowing them to visualize and analyze the flow of air and particulates through the alveoli. They found distinct flow patterns for different generations of the bronchial network, shedding light on respiratory diseases such as emphysema and COPD.
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.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found that fentanyl stops breathing before noticeable changes occur, leading to a high risk of death when used illicitly. The discovery could enable safer opioid administration through EEG monitoring.
Researchers from Chung-Ang University have developed a novel device that uses respiration to power sensors in gas masks, allowing for a continuous electrical output. The device, called IVF-TENG, demonstrates potential applications in portable electronics and wireless data transmission.
The new guidance provides a comprehensive approach to preventing unrecognised oesophageal intubation, addressing both technical and human factors. It recommends standardising carbon dioxide monitoring and pulse oximetry, using videolaryngoscopes for correct placement, and addressing stress-related management of crises.
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.
Adult and pediatric mechanical ventilators increased substantially at US acute care hospitals between 2020 and 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found a substantial increase in adult and pediatric mechanical ventilators reported by acute care hospitals in the U.S.
A new breath-driven hand prosthesis offers a lightweight, low-maintenance option for children and those in low-resource settings. The device is powered by the user's breathing and provides simultaneous control and actuation, with minimal maintenance required.
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.
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.
A study of 1,884 children with 90-day follow-up found post-COVID-19 conditions in 5.8% of patients, including respiratory and systemic symptoms. Hospitalized children were more likely to experience these conditions, highlighting the need for targeted guidance and follow-up.
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.
Researchers investigated SARS-CoV-2 variants and their association with croup, a breathing blockage with distinctive cough, as well as hospital and ICU admissions among children. The study found that certain variants were linked to increased risk of croup and related hospitalizations.
Researchers used wearable activity trackers and AI to identify indicative physiological changes in people with COVID-19, detecting infections up to 2 days before symptoms began. The study found that the algorithm was effective in identifying positive cases, but its accuracy needs further improvement.
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.
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.
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.
Breathing difficulties following opioid use can be fatal. Electrical pulses to the back of the neck have been found to help patients regain respiratory control and breathe independently without the need for medication or mechanical assistance.
Researchers found that severe asthma patients produce growth factors that block corticosteroids from working, leading to frequent breathing problems. This discovery may lead to new treatments targeting these growth factors to improve outcomes for patients with severe asthma.
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.
A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in The BMJ provides a comprehensive understanding of the adverse outcomes associated with gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy. The study found that women with gestational diabetes had increased odds of caesarean section, preterm delivery, and infant complications.
A new computer-aided diagnostic tool, Deep-Lung Parenchyma-Enhancing (DLPE), uses artificial intelligence to reveal signs of pulmonary fibrosis in COVID long-haulers, helping to explain respiratory symptoms and improve disease management.
Researchers developed a desktop air curtain system that blocks all incoming aerosol particles, effective as an indirect barrier in healthcare settings. The device's blocking effect was tested on patients during blood collection, showing promising results.
A new study from Tel Aviv University finds that women aged 55 and over who snore are at significant risk for sleep apnea, which can be fatal. The researchers warn that the phenomenon often occurs during sleep, causing women to be unaware of their condition.
Researchers tested two valved N95 masks and found one to be substantially better at filtering out respiratory particles than the other. The study suggests that valved masks should be avoided in public health settings.
Researchers used PCA and fluid dynamics simulation models to show proper fit is crucial for optimal mask protection. Face shape significantly affects mask fit, even with double masking.
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.
Researchers developed innovative smart sensors to test new vaccines, revealing significant discrepancies between subjective self-reports and objective measurements. The study found that side effects escalate over the first 48 hours and then stabilize, with parameters returning to pre-vaccination levels.
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.
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.
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.
A six-week study found that high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training improved exercise tolerance by 12% in adults aged 50 and older. The treatment involved inhaling through a handheld device adding resistance to the breath for five minutes daily.
Researchers used new techniques to uncover the Tetrahymena electron transport chain, revealing gaps in our knowledge of a major branch of life. The study highlights the power of structural biology and shows potential as a discovery tool for biodiversity research.
Researchers discovered that boa constrictors adjust which section of the rib cage they use to inhale depending on whether they are resting, throttling an animal or digesting. The sinuous reptiles use different sections of the rib cage to breathe when their ribs are constricted.
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.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a technique to study lung disease in living mice without using mechanical ventilation. The method uses phase-contrast X-ray tomography to produce high-resolution images of the lungs, including even the smallest airways, with low radiation doses.
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.
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.
A study found that using two cannulas to place newborns in respiratory failure on life-sustaining ECMO increases mortality rates. The safest path is a single cannula in the right internal jugular, which can remove oxygen-poor blood and add oxygen before returning it to the baby.
A small study found statistically significant improvements in various symptoms, including fatigue and chest discomfort, after EECP therapy in long COVID patients. Researchers believe this is the most plausible explanation for the benefits derived from EECP and its link to long COVID.
A new study by Dr. Brian Stansfield and Dr. Jessica Gancar found a clear linear relationship between mortality and red blood cell transfusion volume in newborns on ECMO, with a 14% decrease in survival chances for every transfusion. The study suggests that reducing transfusion volumes may improve outcomes.
A pilot study suggests that long COVID symptoms could be linked to the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the vagus nerve. The study found significant alterations in the vagus nerve, including thickening and reduced function, in patients with long COVID symptoms.
Scientists have found a new energy metabolism in lactic acid bacteria that combines features of respiration with fermentation. This hybrid metabolism enables the bacteria to thrive better and faster, potentially improving gut health by manipulating its growth.
A young diplodocid dinosaur with abnormal bony protrusions in its neck bones may have suffered from a fungal respiratory infection similar to aspergillosis. The study provides the first evidence of an avian-style respiratory infection in a non-avian dinosaur.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has established a San Antonio-based Coccidioidomycosis Collaborative Research Center (SA-CCRC) focused on developing therapeutics and vaccines against coccidioidomycosis. The center will support applied clinical research and house an extended network of experts from partnering institutions.
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.
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.
A study published in MBio found that removing the NS2 protein from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) allows the human body's immune response to destroy the virus before exaggerated inflammation begins. This discovery could lead to new therapeutics targeting this protein for other respiratory viruses like influenza A and SARS-CoV-2.
A Salk Institute team has uncovered a neural network in the brain that connects breathing rhythm with feelings of pain and fear. This discovery could lead to the development of an analgesic that prevents opioid-induced respiratory depression, a major cause of overdose deaths.
A recent study published in Canine Medicine and Genetics found that French Bulldogs have a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with 20 common health disorders compared to other breeds. The authors propose breeding towards more moderate characteristics to reduce these risks.
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