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New study finds e-cigarette vapor impairs activity of key immune cells in the lung

Rich Haridy August 14, 2018

As e-cigarettes rise in popularity, many researchers are working hard to understand the long-term implications of vaping on human health. A new small study has now found that e-cigarette vapor can damage key immune cells in the lung, suggesting vaping may be more harmful that previously suspected.

New research suggests e-cigarette vapor can impair the ability of immune cells in the lungs to ...

Medical

Bioengineered lungs successfully transplanted into pigs

Michael Irving August 2, 2018

What if doctors could grow new organs for transplant on demand from a patient’s own cells? In a major step towards this future, scientists from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) have now transplanted bioengineered lungs into pigs, with no complications arising from the procedure.

Medical

New cells discovered in the airway might hold the key to cystic fibrosis

Michael Irving August 1, 2018

We may be a step closer to new treatments for cystic fibrosis, as two research teams are now reporting the discovery of a new type of cell in the airways. These rare cells seem to be where most activity of a certain gene is located, mutations of which are known to cause cystic fibrosis.

Two studies have discovered new types of cells in the airways called pulmonary ionocytes (highlighted in ...

Medical

Inhalable viruses show promise as a better way to treat lung infections

Michael Irving July 18, 2018

As a lung infection, the most direct route to treat pneumonia would be inhalable drugs. Now researchers at Georgia Tech have made a step towards that goal, with breathable viruses that hunt down and kill disease-causing bacteria in the lungs.

Inhalable bacteriophages could be used to treat lung infections like pneumonia

Medical

Targeting underlying reason airways close could let asthmatics breathe easier

Rebekah Andrews February 5, 2018

Scientists understand that too much of a protein called mucin causes the lungs’ airways to close, triggering an asthma attack. Until now, the mechanism behind it was unknown. Researchers from Houston Methodist Research Institute believe the answer lies in how two molecules communicate.

A discovery by researchers at Houston Methodist Research Institute could lead to better drugs to treat ...

Health & Wellbeing

Ex-smokers should eat plenty of tomatoes

Ben Coxworth December 22, 2017

If you've recently stopped smoking, then you ought to start eating more tomatoes and other fruits. According to a new study from Johns Hopkins University, doing so could help slow the decline of your lung function, by reversing some of the damage caused by smoking.

Nutrients in tomatoes and other fresh fruits may help restore lung function

Medical

The humble inhaler goes digital

Ben Coxworth November 6, 2017

North Carolina-based Pneuma Respiratory has developed what it states is the world's first fully-digital soft mist inhaler. Among other things, it's claimed to deliver medication more reliably.

The digital inhaler automatically dispenses medication, and allows dosages to be tracked on a smartphone

Medical

Vest sees through chests, to check heart patients' lungs

Ben Coxworth June 20, 2017

According to The Ohio State University, over half of all patients who are treated for heart failure end up back in the hospital within six months, due to fluid buildup in their lungs. Sensible Medical has set out to change that, however, with a wearable device known as the SensiVest.

Medical

Mini lung "organoids" join the fight against disease

Eric Mack May 14, 2017

Researchers have developed a miniature version of a lung in a dish, called an "organoid," that functions just like a real, full-size lung. These mini organs aren't designed for transplants, but rather as a research tool to study human disease and test drugs that could regenerate damaged tissue.

Miniature lungs were grown from stem cells and infected with a respiratory virus to create a ...

Biology

Unexpected new lung function discovered: Making blood

Michael Irving March 22, 2017

Until now, blood cell production was ascribed solely to bone marrow, but studies on mice have found that the majority of the body’s platelets are produced in the lungs, as is a backup reservoir of blood stem cells that can step in when those in the bone marrow run dry.