Respiratory Disease News and Research

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Cystic fibrosis carriers have higher risk for all CF-related conditions

Conventional wisdom says that having just one mutated copy of the cystic fibrosis gene has no effects on a person's health--the disease occurs when both copies of the gene are mutated. But a new study from the University of Iowa suggests that may not be the case.

8 Jan 2020

Airway Therapeutics receives funding to advance BPD treatment

Airway Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of biologics to break the injury cycle of inflammation for patients with respiratory and inflammatory diseases, announced today the closing of a $15.5 million oversubscribed Series C financing round.

8 Jan 2020

FDA needs to take further action on e-cigarettes

While the American Thoracic Society appreciates that the FDA took action on certain flavored cartridge-based vaping products, it is disappointed that the Administration chose to not follow through on its September 2019 promise to clear the market of all flavored electronic nicotine delivery projects.

3 Jan 2020

Severe skin and mucous membrane lesions may occur in children with bacterial pneumonia

Painful inflammatory lesions of the skin and mucous membranes may occur in children who develop bacterial pneumonia.

19 Dec 2019

Research shows harmful effects of chemicals in vaping liquids to lung tissue

New research appearing in the journal Scientific Reports unpacks the list of chemicals that comprise flavored e-liquids and pods used in vaping and details their harmful effects to lung tissue, including inflammation and genetic damage that could indicate long-term risk for respiratory disease and even cancer.

18 Dec 2019

State-of-the-art expert reviews provide insights into vitamin D research

Vitamin D is essential for human health. Although much is known about its important role in bone metabolism and in certain areas of non-skeletal health, there are many open questions and topics of debate.

27 Nov 2019

New clinical guideline for treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis published

The American Thoracic Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, European Respiratory Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have published an official clinical guideline on the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis in the Nov. 15 American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

18 Nov 2019

The Black Death still lurks all over the world

Beijing, the capital of the economic giant, China, is in the news currently for a far different reason – two patients have developed pneumonic plague. The patients, who hail from Inner Mongolia’s northwestern corner, are being treated at a high-level hospital there, amidst 21 million other people. The health authorities say they have put in place adequate protection and control measures to keep the plague from spreading.

17 Nov 2019

Experts urge all asthma patients to have a plan for an asthma attack

The tragic death of 13-year-old Broadway actress Laurel Griggs last week from a severe asthma attack highlights the need for effective asthma control and a plan for dealing with an asthma attack. Asthma is a serious disease that needs to be managed through a partnership of patient, health care provider and family.

12 Nov 2019

Artistic activities from a young age can reduce social inequalities, encourage healthy behaviors

Engaging in artistic activities such as singing and dancing from a young age can reduce social inequalities and encourage healthy behaviors, according to a new report from UCL and the World Health Organization.

11 Nov 2019

Scientists find new strains of human adenovirus in Singapore

Human adenovirus (HAdV) infections in Singapore and Malaysia have caused severe respiratory disease among children and adults in recent years, but scientists still don't know whether these outbreaks are due to new or re-emerging virus strains.

24 Oct 2019

Patients with diabetes may have worse lung infections

People with diabetes are at a higher risk of various complications, including worse respiratory diseases. One of the most dreaded lung diseases is the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which emerged in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

21 Oct 2019

Being obese may lead to fat accumulation in the lungs

Obesity is a growing health concern among children and adults across the globe. In the 2016 figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.9 billion adults are overweight worldwide, and of these, over 650 million were obese.

17 Oct 2019

Identifying respiratory diseases causing pulmonary hypertension can lead to improved outcomes

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the lungs of both animals and people. When tiny vessels in the lungs become narrowed or blocked, it becomes harder for blood to flow through and can cause the heart to weaken or fail.

16 Oct 2019

Study reports first evidence of biological changes related to e-cig use in never-smokers

E-cigarette (e-cig) use is rising at concerning levels among both smokers and non-smokers, and new research data suggests that even short-term e-cig use can cause cellular inflammation in never-smoker adults.

16 Oct 2019

Combination drug appears to improve lung health in patients with cystic fibrosis, but with caveats

In adolescent and adult patients with cystic fibrosis taking lumacaftor-ivacaftor (ORKAMBI), the combination drug appears to improve lung function and body weight and reduce the need for intravenous antibiotic treatment, according to a French study published online in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

11 Oct 2019

New clinical practice guideline published for adults with community acquired pneumonia

The American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have published an official clinical guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of adults with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the ATS's Oct. 1 American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

1 Oct 2019

Lower levels of 'free' testosterone found in women with asthma

Women with asthma appear more likely to have lower levels of "free" (not attached to proteins) testosterone than women who do not have asthma, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

30 Sep 2019

Respiratory groups unite to advocate 'healthy lungs for all' on World Lung Day 2019

Today, on World Lung Day, the American Thoracic Society is united with members of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies and WLD partner organizations to advocate for respiratory health globally and call on policymakers to ensure that everyone has access to the services they need to improve their lung health.

25 Sep 2019

Meet the health officials who alerted the world to the alarming vaping illness

Dr. Lynn D'Andrea knew something was amiss when three teenagers with similar mysterious, dangerous lung injuries came into the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin one after another, gasping for air.