For the first time in 25 years, rates of smoking among teenage boys in Ireland are increasing, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research. [1] The study also shows that rates of vaping among teenagers have risen in the last four years and that teenagers who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke. […]
Category: Respiratory
Artificial intelligence could help diagnose lung cancer a year earlier
An artificial intelligence (AI) program can spot signs of lung cancer on CT scans a year before they can be diagnosed with existing methods, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death with around 1.8 million lives lost around the world […]
Overweight and obesity may affect asthmatic children’s response to inhaled steroids
Asthmatic children are less likely to respond to inhaled steroid medication if they are overweight or obese, and this leads to more frequent asthma attacks, according to research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress [1]. The international study is the first to use information on genetic variants linked to body mass index […]
Electronic nose can sniff out when a lung transplant is failing
An electronic “nose” is capable of detecting with 86% accuracy when a lung transplant is beginning to fail, according to research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress [1]. Ms Nynke Wijbenga, a PhD student and technical physician at Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, told the congress that the finding could […]
Lung function appears to be unaffected after COVID-19 infection in young adults
Children and adolescents also have unimpaired lung function COVID-19 infection does not appear to affect the lung function of young adults, according to new research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] In the first study to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on lung function, researchers led by Dr Ida Mogensen, […]
Rescue and recovery workers and volunteers who arrived early at the World Trade Center site face higher risk of developing COPD
Twenty years on from the September 11 attacks, rescue and recovery workers and volunteers who attended the World Trade Center site are beginning to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often following a previous diagnosis of asthma, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] The study of almost 18,000 workers […]
E-cigarettes containing nicotine cause blood clotting and make small blood vessels less adaptable
Using e-cigarettes containing nicotine causes an immediate increase in the formation of blood clots and a deterioration in the ability of small blood vessels to expand and dilate, as well as raised heart rate and blood pressure, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] Researchers say these effects are similar […]
Asthma can be caused by office work but finding and tackling the cause can keep employees in work
New research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress [1] suggests that the seemingly innocuous environment of an office can cause asthma in some workers. The study found a variety of triggers from printer toner and cleaning products to poor ventilation and mould circulating in air conditioning. It also found that employees with asthma […]
Physical activity during pregnancy is linked to lung function in offspring
Researchers have found further evidence that exercise during pregnancy is good not only for mothers but also for their offspring. In research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress [1], Dr Hrefna Katrin Gudmundsdottir said that a study of 814 babies had, for the first time, shown a link between lower lung function […]
Modest differences in lung function could help spot people at risk of sudden cardiac death
People who have modestly but measurably worse lung function are more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death (SCD), according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] SCD is an unexpected death that results from a sudden malfunction in the heart and in many people who suffer SCD, there are no previous […]