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Does the type of hand sanitizer matter? A study involving 568 people suggests it might

In a 72-day randomized trial involving 568 participants in Japan, an experimental hand sanitizer containing ethanol, benzalkonium chloride, and lactic acid was associated with a 40% lower cumulative incidence of upper respiratory symptoms than a commercial ethanol-based sanitizer. Participants using the experimental formulation also experienced fewer illness-related work restrictions, although infections were not laboratory-confirmed and the proposed residual antimicrobial mechanism was not directly tested.

14 Oct 2026

Aged aircraft exhaust poses a rising threat to human health

Fine particulate matter consists of tiny particles with diameters in the nanometer range. They are produced, for example, by fuel combustion, remain suspended in the air and can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract.

14 Oct 2026

Common asthma drug improves strength in children with muscle disease

A common asthma medication improves motor skills and muscle strength in children with congenital myopathies, a group of incurable muscle diseases.

14 Oct 2026

Your diet may have more to do with your sense of smell than you think

Researchers analyzed dietary patterns and odor identification in 6,690 adults in Italy, finding that healthier plant-rich diets, particularly those emphasizing fruits and vegetables, were associated with better olfactory function and lower odds of hyposmia. Diets emphasizing less healthy plant foods showed the opposite association, although the cross-sectional study could not establish whether diet influences smell or impaired smell affects food choices.

14 Oct 2026

Researchers improve CRISPR technology for detecting HIV and other RNA viruses

Scientists have long used a powerful gene-editing tool called CRISPR to make precise changes to DNA. But a different version of the technology, known as Cas13a, targets RNA, the genetic material found in viruses such as HIV.

13 Oct 2026

Maternal opioid use in pregnancy linked to childhood hospitalizations

Children whose mothers received opioid prescriptions during pregnancy have a higher rate of hospital admission in childhood than unexposed children, including unexposed siblings, according to a new study published October 13th in the open access journal PLOS Medicine by Dong Keon Yon of Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, South Korea, and colleagues.

13 Oct 2026

New research shows reduced toxicant exposure reduces biological activity

Two newly published studies from Imperial Brands scientists have provided further evidence that products associated with lower levels of combustion-related toxicants also produce substantially lower levels of combustion-related toxicants also produce substantially lower biological activity than cigarette smoke under laboratory conditions.

13 Oct 2026

Severe long Covid associated with distinct oral and lung microbiomes

A study of more than 700 people has shown that those with long Covid have distinct differences in the mix of bacteria that live in their mouths and lungs, according to a study published today (Monday) in the European Respiratory Journal.

11 Oct 2026

Better blood pressure control could prevent over 518,000 annual deaths worldwide

Effective management of high blood pressure could prevent more than 518,000 annual deaths from cardiovascular disease around the world, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026.

11 Oct 2026

Nasal immune adjuvant protects mice against respiratory viruses for months

The COVID-19 pandemic showed the challenges of protecting populations when a new respiratory virus emerges.

9 Oct 2026

Nutritionally similar meals might not affect your body the same way

Ultra-processed foods trigger distinct metabolic and brain responses, influencing insulin release and nutrient processing despite similar nutritional content.

8 Oct 2026

Low uptake limits benefits of maternal RSV vaccination

Vaccination against a common respiratory virus during pregnancy lowers the risk of severe disease in babies by 74 per cent, but uptake in many countries remains low, a new review suggests.

8 Oct 2026

Researchers find gene expression patterns linked to severe pediatric COVID-19

Researchers have identified patterns of gene activity associated with severe COVID-19 in children that are shared with other serious respiratory infections.

7 Oct 2026

Short-term vaping exposure injures deep lung tissue and immunity

Just days of e-cigarette vapor exposure can injure the lungs' most delicate tissue and leave it more vulnerable to viral infection, according to a study led by National Jewish Health researchers and published in JCI Insight.

6 Oct 2026

Walking remains highly beneficial for COPD patients in polluted environments

Regular walking reduces symptom flare ups for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, even if they live in an area with poor air quality, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research.

5 Oct 2026

Older donor hearts showed signs of rejuvenation in younger recipients

Findings suggest systemic environment affects biological age of transplanted hearts, with implications for improving organ allocation in transplantation.

5 Oct 2026

$Vitamin B12 deficiency was linked to higher fracture hazard after 50$

Vitamin B12 deficiency was linked to higher fracture hazard after 50

A study links abnormal vitamin B12 levels to fracture risk, highlighting a complex relationship beyond simple deficiency in middle-aged and older adults.

2 Oct 2026

Oxford study identifies top technology priorities for respiratory care

Inhalers that show when they are running out. Oxygen equipment light enough to take out of the house. Help telling whether breathlessness is anxiety or the start of a flare-up.

1 Oct 2026

New proclamation highlights respiratory health awareness across Phoenix, Arizona

At the request of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), the City of Phoenix and Mayor Kate Gallego officially proclaimed October 18, 2026, as Love Your Lungs Day for Phoenix, Arizona.

29 Sep 2026

Blood markers linked to healthy eating may reflect more than food choices

Researchers analyzed dietary data from 204,938 UK Biobank participants and identified blood protein and metabolite profiles associated with adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet. These profiles showed stronger links to several health outcomes and modeled life expectancy than the diet score, but the observational study cannot establish that the diet caused those differences.

28 Sep 2026