Asthma

An international team of scientists has identified a protein in the lungs that offers a new target for asthma treatments, along with another common condition affected by inflammation in the lungs, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

People with chronic respiratory disease tend to produce thicker forms of mucus and scientists have now uncovered one of the key reasons why, raising new treatment possibilities for conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis and COPD.

A newly published longitudinal study out of Canada has found a strong association between frequent use of household cleaning products and an increased risk of children developing asthma in the first three years of life.

Asthma and other allergic reactions are increasingly common today, and while manageable there’s currently no cure. Now, researchers at Yale University have found a new potential pathway for treatment, targeting cellular "gatekeepers" called microRNA.

Much like the gut, skin and mouth, our respiratory system is home to its own unique microbial population. Intriguing new research has now found a link between specific bacterial populations in the upper airways and the severity of asthma symptoms.

Diagnosing asthma in small children is often challenging, as standard measures such as lung function tests can't be used below a certain age. A new blood-analysis device could help, however, delivering definitive results in less than two hours.

Early clinical trial results are suggesting a novel drug designed to inhibit the activity of a key immune signaling molecule could become a promising new treatment for atopic dermatitis, a very common inflammatory skin condition.

A novel study has for the first time detected significant accumulations of fatty tissue in airway walls of obese and overweight people suggesting these accumulations may explain why overweight individuals are at higher risk of respiratory disease.

As part of the Human Cell Atlas initiative researchers have mapped the different types of cells in the lungs, and spotted some crucial new differences between healthy and asthma-affected airways that could inspire some new drug targets.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation, and asthma involves an inflammation of the airways. Would eating omega-3-rich fish therefore help reduce the severity of asthma? A new study indicates that the answer is likely Yes.

A fascinating new study from researchers at Temple University has successfully reversed cognitive impairments in mice with dementia. The research utilized a 20-year-old asthma drug to treat the animals and the hope is to fast track clinical trials to verify the results in human subjects.

​Mild to moderate asthma can be difficult to diagnose, as its symptoms change over time and are often affected by other respiratory conditions. A new test, however, is able to definitively determine whether or not a patient has asthma – via just a swabbing of the nose.​