Respiratory News and Research

RSS

Researchers identify opioids with highest risk of respiratory depression

University of Manchester researchers have identified which opioids are most likely to be associated with respiratory depression, in a major new study.

9 Jul 2026

New Italian data show extreme longevity is spreading beyond the blue zones

A nationwide ecological analysis of Italian regions found that aging and extreme longevity indicators rose steadily from 1982 to 2025, with northern and central regions generally leading. Regional patterns linked higher longevity indices to lower diabetes and cerebrovascular mortality and healthier contemporary nutrition profiles, while Cilento emerged as a notable southern hotspot.

9 Jul 2026

Trial offers hope for babies with fetal kidney failure

Women diagnosed early in pregnancy with a fetus lacking adequate kidney function to make the urine that serves as vital amniotic fluid have long faced virtually no chance of their fetus's survival after birth.

8 Jul 2026

Yogurt, prebiotics, and probiotics link to lower colorectal cancer odds in U.S. adults

A national NHANES analysis of 9,405 U.S. adults aged 50 and older found that any yogurt, prebiotic, or probiotic consumption was associated with about 50% lower odds of self-reported colorectal cancer. Because the study was cross-sectional, it cannot prove causation but supports further research into microbiota-targeted dietary strategies.

8 Jul 2026

Air pollution may impact genes involved in sperm development

New research presented today at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) suggests that exposure to air pollution may impact genes associated with sperm development, raising new questions about male fertility, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health.

6 Jul 2026

Memory B cells reveal how nasal vaccines could stop respiratory infections earlier

A Science Immunology Review explains how memory B cells acquire diverse molecular, epigenetic, and tissue-specific programs that shape long-term immune protection. It highlights lung-resident memory B cells as a key target for mucosal vaccines, potentially improving control of airborne infections and reducing transmission.

6 Jul 2026

Early voice changes may signal asthma and COPD flare-ups

Daily voice recordings reveal early signs of asthma and COPD exacerbations, suggesting voice analysis could enhance remote monitoring and treatment timing.

6 Jul 2026

Study links severe COVID to higher TB risk, and vaccination appears to blunt the link

A nationwide Chilean cohort study of more than 3.6 million adults found that severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization was associated with more than an eightfold higher hazard of incident tuberculosis within one year. The association was strongest in the first six months and among unvaccinated individuals, although absolute TB incidence remained low.

1 Jul 2026

Monoclonal antibody shows promise for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome

Doctors have few options for patients who develop a life-threatening lung condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS.

30 Jun 2026

Vitamins A and D may support healthier lungs in asthma patients

Higher levels of circulating vitamin A are linked to better lung function in children and adults with asthma, while vitamin D shows similar benefits in adults, including slower biological ageing, finds the first study of its kind, published online in the respiratory journal Thorax.

30 Jun 2026

Study explains how leukemia creates inflammatory lung environments

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) does more than infiltrate the lungs: it also transforms lung tissue to create an inflammatory environment that promotes the expansion of tumor cells and impairs respiratory function.

30 Jun 2026

Obesity makes breathing harder during exercise for young vapers

E-cigarette users with obesity show higher ventilatory demands and breathlessness during exercise, indicating potential long-term respiratory health risks.

30 Jun 2026

Study highlights potential heart dangers from e-cigarette chemicals

Is vaping bad for my health? As people who use e-cigarettes and their loved ones pose questions like this, growing scientific evidence shows that the answer is yes.

29 Jun 2026

Study reveals how leukemia cells invade lungs and cause breathing problems

Led by NYU Langone Health researchers, a new study shows how blood cancer cells enter the lungs, damage tissue, and cause severe breathing problems.

29 Jun 2026

Great ape laughter reveals how human vocal control evolved

A comparative study of laughter across humans and other great apes found that its regular rhythmic structure may date back around 15 million years. The findings suggest human laughter evolved toward faster, more variable, and more context-sensitive timing, reflecting greater vocal flexibility.

28 Jun 2026

Targeted investments can significantly reduce newborn deaths by 2040

A global analysis spanning 194 countries reveals a mixed picture for newborn survival: deaths caused by birth asphyxia, trauma, and prematurity have declined markedly since 2000, yet progress is slowing in many low- and middle-income countries, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa.

25 Jun 2026

US study shows updated COVID vaccines cut hospitalization odds by 55%

The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines were associated with 50% estimated effectiveness against COVID-19-associated emergency department and urgent care encounters among immunocompetent US adults. They were also linked to an estimated 55% effectiveness against COVID-19-associated hospitalization, providing added protection beyond existing immunity from prior infection or vaccination.

24 Jun 2026

Study links COVID-19 to higher sleep apnea risk years after infection

Researchers analyzed more than 910,000 adults and found that SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a higher adjusted risk of new-onset obstructive sleep apnea up to 4.5 years later. The association appeared in both hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, supporting targeted screening in higher-risk post-COVID groups while highlighting the need for objective sleep testing.

24 Jun 2026

Scientists identify genes linking air pollution to severe asthma

For many people with asthma, air-quality advisories are harbingers of worsening symptoms. But for reasons science has struggled to explain, the extent to which pollution exacerbates asthma varies widely from person to person.

24 Jun 2026

Study reveals early immune clues to predict active tuberculosis risk

An early view of the immune response to bacteria in the lungs provides clues as to why some people keep TB in check, while others develop disease, suggesting new ways to intervene earlier and stop TB.

24 Jun 2026