The risk of being born with a major heart defect is 36% higher in babies who were conceived after assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), according to results of a very large study published in the European Heart Journal [1]. Researchers say the finding is important since congenital heart defects are the […]
2024
Women with premature ovarian insufficiency are at greater risk of severe autoimmune diseases
Severe autoimmune conditions such Type I diabetes, Addison’s disease, lupus and inflammatory bowel disease, are between two to three times more common in women who have been diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) compared to the general population. The research, published in Human Reproduction [1], one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals, is the […]
Long-course radiotherapy is better than short-course for organ preservation in rectal cancer
But both treatments have similar survival rates The COVID-19 pandemic has enabled researchers to show that a long course of radiotherapy given before surgery may be a better treatment for avoiding surgery, preserving the rectum and anus, and preventing regrowth of the primary tumour than a short course of radiotherapy for patients with rectal cancer […]
Drug treatment shows promise for dangerous snoring condition, obstructive sleep apnoea
Patients taking sulthiame, a drug currently in use for epilepsy, experienced a reduction in their symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), according to results of a clinical trial presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. Patients with OSA often snore loudly, their breathing starts and stops during the night, and […]
Women with asthma are more likely to miscarry and need fertility treatment
Women who are being treated for asthma are more likely to miscarry and need fertility treatment to get pregnant, according to a large study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. However, the study also suggests that most women with asthma are able to have babies. The study was presented […]
Artificial Intelligence can be trained to detect lung disease in premature babies
Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) can be trained to detect lung disease in premature babies by analysing their breathing patterns while they sleep, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. The study was presented by Edgar Delgado-Eckert, adjunct professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University […]
Voice changes recorded on a smartphone can indicate a flare up of COPD symptoms
Changes in people’s voices recoded on a smartphone can signal a serious flare up in symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a pilot study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a serious and long-term lung condition. According […]
Smoking before the age of 18 increases the risk of developing respiratory symptoms in your 20s
People who started smoking under the age of 18 are more likely to experience respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and phlegm, in their 20s, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. The study also found that the majority of young smokers had taken up the habit before […]
ChatGPT outperformed trainee doctors in assessing complex respiratory illness in children
The chatbot ChatGPT performed better than trainee doctors in assessing complex cases of respiratory disease in areas such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and chest infections in a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. The study also showed that Google’s chatbot Bard performed better than trainees in some aspects […]
Medical clowns shorten hospital stays for children with pneumonia
Spending time with a medical clown can shorten the length of hospital stay for children with pneumonia, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. They can also reduce the duration of intravenous antibiotic use. The study was presented by Dr Karin Yaacoby-Bianu from Carmel Medical Center and […]