Respiratory News and Research

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Many metastatic lung cancer patients still receive no treatment options

About half of people diagnosed with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer never receive treatment, despite advances in options over recent decades that have created meaningful improvements in lifespan and quality of life for many patients.

7 May 2026

Hantavirus scare on cruise ship prompts WHO response

Hantavirus infections among cruise ship passengers have sparked a global health response, highlighting the need for effective outbreak management strategies.

7 May 2026

Airborne microbial pollutants may pose hidden respiratory health risks

Public concern about air pollution has traditionally centred on chemical pollutants such as vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions found in fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

7 May 2026

Using Apple Watch and AI to protect children undergoing cancer treatment from infections

A new trial will test whether a tool that harnesses Apple Watch health data and artificial intelligence can help protect children undergoing cancer treatment from infections.

6 May 2026

Cruise ship-linked hantavirus cases highlight zoonotic infection risks

The Global Virus Network (GVN), representing eminent human and animal virologists from more than 90 Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in over 40 countries dedicated to advancing research, collaboration, and pandemic preparedness, is closely monitoring reports of a hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise ship traveling in the Atlantic, which has resulted in multiple severe cases and fatalities.

5 May 2026

Silicosis remains widespread among mineral miners worldwide

Researchers from National Jewish Health conducted what is believed to be the largest systematic review of silicosis in mineral miners.

5 May 2026

Advanced AI models outperform pediatricians in diagnosing rare diseases

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being explored as a tool to support clinical decision-making, yet its real-world performance in pediatric diagnosis remains unclear.

4 May 2026

How a common gut bacterium may protect health

Akkermansia muciniphila's impact on immunity and pregnancy outcomes underscores its promise as a probiotic, with implications for infectious disease treatment.

4 May 2026

New tools for quicker and easier Mpox diagnosis

Following the rise in monkeypox (Mpox) cases, particularly in countries where the disease had not traditionally been observed, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in June 2022 and again in August 2024.

4 May 2026

Scientists discover a potential new way to slow ALS disease progression

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes the progressive loss of motor neurons, which in most cases leads to respiratory failure within three to five years after diagnosis.

30 Apr 2026

New initiative aims to tackle bronchiectasis underdiagnosis in America

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) today announced a major quality improvement initiative aimed at tackling the persistent and widespread underdiagnosis of bronchiectasis in the United States.

30 Apr 2026

Antibiotic minocycline shows potential for treating panic disorder symptoms

A study supported by FAPESP shows that small doses of the antibiotic minocycline may help treat panic disorder.

30 Apr 2026

Survey reveals silica dust risks for Australia’s tunnel workers

The responses to a national survey published today have revealed tunnel construction workers across Australia say they face significant exposure to silica dust, a hazardous dust that can cause incurable diseases like silicosis and lung cancer.

29 Apr 2026

Extreme weather and airborne dust linked to rising Valley fever cases in El Paso

A new study by researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso has identified a significant rise in Valley fever cases in El Paso over the past decade and found strong connections between the disease and extreme weather, wind and airborne dust.

29 Apr 2026

Lung scan patterns predict severity of sarcoidosis and breathing issues

A new study from researchers at National Jewish Health and collaborating institutions has found that different patterns seen on lung scans can signal how severe sarcoidosis may be, and how it affects breathing.

28 Apr 2026

Why H2N2 flu is back on the pandemic preparedness radar

A historical review in Vaccine warns that global H2N2 immunity has sharply declined since the 1957 Asian influenza pandemic, leaving most people without H2-specific protection if the virus re-emerges. The authors highlight animal reservoirs, waning birth-cohort immunity, and modern H2 vaccine platforms as key priorities for pandemic preparedness.

28 Apr 2026

Soy-based nutrients may help reduce COPD symptom burden

Higher isoflavone consumption is associated with improved respiratory health in former smokers with COPD, highlighting diet's role in disease management.

28 Apr 2026

Scientists map 239 human-infective RNA viruses to track future outbreak risks

Researchers updated the global catalogue of human-infective RNA viruses to 239 ICTV-recognised species, incorporating taxonomy, discovery dates, locations, genome links, host range, transmissibility, and transmission routes. The dataset shows that most known human-infective RNA viruses remain strictly zoonotic, while only a minority are endemic in humans or capable of epidemic spread.

26 Apr 2026

Scientists discover immune sentinel cells within skin hair follicles

Researchers at the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside have discovered previously unrecognized immune surveillance structures in the skin.

25 Apr 2026

New mouse model reveals primary trigger of rare muscle disorder

Myofibrillar myopathy type 6 (MFM6) is a rare genetic muscle disorder that leads to severe muscle weakness and a drastically shortened life expectancy due to a disruption in muscle protein regulation.

24 Apr 2026