lungs

Confocal imaging demonstrating the dense network of capillary blood vessels in the lung that allow oxygen to move into our bloodstream. This complex vascular network can be severely disrupted upon viral infections like influenza and COVID-19, which greatly contributes to disease severity and mortality. Credit: Gan ZhaoRecent research reveals a breakthrough in lung repair, showing how delivering VEGFA via lipid nanoparticles can significantly repair damaged blood vessels, akin to plumbing repairs. This method, validated in…

Photo: Ann Marie Walkington / Shutterstock.com (Shutterstock)Philips announced on Tuesday that it won’t sell sleep apnea machines in the US after a global recall over concerns that its devices could cause cancer risks and other health problems for hapless sleepers. Alex Winter on the Most Important Modern Horror Movie The Dutch health technology giant pulled 5 million of its breathing machines off the market starting in 2021 because foam used to dampen sound inside the devices could break down, forcing tiny black…

Severe COVID-19 causes early lung capillary thrombosis, leading to respiratory distress, with studies emphasizing prompt anti-coagulation treatment to mitigate complications.Scientists from the University of São Paulo have discovered that severe COVID-19 is primarily caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the lungs, a result of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Blood clot formation (thrombosis) in the small blood vessels of the lungs is an early result of severe COVID-19, often occurring before the breathing difficulties…

New research indicates that smoking both marijuana and cigarettes significantly increases the risk of lung damage, challenging common beliefs about the safety of marijuana smoking. The study underscores the need for more research in this area to inform public understanding.According to findings recently presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting, combining marijuana and cigarette smoking could result in greater harm to the lung’s air sacs.Despite widespread beliefs that marijuana smoking is…

The SHAMAL study has made a significant breakthrough in severe asthma treatment. It demonstrates that the biologic therapy benralizumab enables patients to significantly reduce or stop the use of high-dose inhaled steroids, which are known for serious side effects. This could mark a transformative step in managing severe asthma, affecting nearly 300 million people globally, by minimizing the risks associated with steroid use. Credit: SciTechDaily.comThe SHAMAL study reveals that benralizumab, a biologic therapy, offers a…

The vaccine outlined in the recent Nature paper is meant to be inhaled. It is a subunit vaccine, meaning it contains a portion of the pathogen. In this case, the subunit is actually a piece of cholera toxin that has been engineered to display a portion of SARS-CoV-2. These proteins are placed into microcapsules small enough to travel deep into the lungs. I’ve been vaccinated, and I had covid. Don’t I already have good mucosal immunity? Maybe. Studies show that people who have been infected and vaccinated do have better…

A study has found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can remain in the lungs for up to 18 months post-infection, challenging the notion that it’s undetectable after initial recovery. This persistence is linked to a failure in the innate immune system. The research, confirming the existence of ‘viral reservoirs’ similar to those in HIV, highlights the role of NK cells in controlling these reservoirs. This discovery is crucial for understanding long COVID and the mechanisms of viral persistence. A groundbreaking study reveals that…

A survey by The BMJ highlights significant disparities in access to lung diagnostic tests in England’s deprived areas, leading to delayed treatment and health deterioration in patients with respiratory conditions. The article emphasizes the urgent need for NHS England and the government to address this healthcare crisis by ensuring equitable distribution of diagnostic services like spirometry.The survey reveals that the poorest regions are most severely impacted by the ‘postcode lottery’ in diagnostic services, and the…

Scientists have developed tiny robotic tentacles that travel into the lungs to detect and treat cancer. The device is just 2.4 mm in diameter and ultra-soft.  It’s sent to the periphery of the lungs from the end of a bronchoscope — a thin tube with a light and camera. During the journey, magnets adapt the robot’s shape to the body’s anatomy. As it moves, both its form and position and form are fed back to a clinician. After reaching its destination, an embedded laser fibre can deliver…

An alveolar macrophage-like cell is seen in detail with transmission electron microscopy. Credit: Texas BiomedThe development of a new cell culture model for human alveolar macrophages is set to propel research into respiratory illnesses. This innovation will aid in the exploration of a variety of conditions such as <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>COVID-19</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>First identified in 2019 in…