Researchers have shown that night-time coughing, measured via a smartphone app, can indicate that asthma is getting worse. The study, presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress [1], is the first of its kind to measure patients’ coughing over a series of nights and shows that it is a sign of their asthma deteriorating. […]
2020
Electronic alert reduces excessive prescribing of short-acting asthma relievers
An automatic, electronic alert on general practitioners’ (GPs) computer screens can help to prevent excessive prescribing of short-acting asthma reliever medication, according to research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] The alert pops up when GPs open the medical records for a patient who has been issued with three prescriptions for […]
Fewer fungi types in the lungs is linked to worse disease in acute respiratory distress syndrome
Many COVID-19 patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening condition where the lungs cannot provide the body’s vital organs with enough oxygen. Patients with ARDS are usually placed on ventilators to help get enough oxygen into their bodies. Now, new research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress [1] has found […]
‘Selfies’ could be used to detect heart disease: new research uses artificial intelligence to analyse facial photos
Sending a “selfie” to the doctor could be a cheap and simple way of detecting heart disease, according to the authors of a new study published in the European Heart Journal [1]. The study is the first to show that it’s possible to use a deep learning computer algorithm to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) […]
Study of nose and throat reveals why people with COVID-19 may lose their sense of smell
Researchers studying tissue removed from patients noses during surgery believe they may have discovered the reason why so many people with COVID-19 lose their sense of smell, even when they have no other symptoms. In their experiments they found extremely high levels of angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE-2) only in the area of the nose […]
Prepare now for a winter COVID-19 peak, warns Academy of Medical Sciences
The UK must prepare now for a potential new wave of coronavirus infections this winter that could be more serious than the first, says a new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences released. Combined with the disruption already created in the health service by COVID-19, a backlog of patients needing NHS assessment and treatment, […]
Asthma and allergies more common in teens who stay up late
Teenagers who prefer to stay up late and wake later in the morning are more likely to suffer with asthma and allergies compared to those who sleep and wake earlier, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research. [1] Asthma symptoms are known to be strongly linked to the body’s internal clock, but this […]
Breast cancer drug, olaparib, depletes store of immature eggs in mouse ovaries
Fertility preservation counselling should be considered for young women before treatment with the drug, say researchers Australian researchers have shown for the first time that a new drug used to treat breast cancer patients damages the store of immature eggs in the ovaries of mice. The authors of the study, which is published in Human […]
First comparison of dangers of tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes and water pipes
Any smoking and vaping technique may increase risk of COVID-19 infection and death Smoking and vaping, whether by means of tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes or waterpipes, stiffens the arteries, causes inflammation and damages DNA, leading to a variety of health problems, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal [1]. In addition, smoking and […]
Embryo vitrification is safe but longer storage reduces chances of pregnancy success
Freezing and storing embryos during fertility treatment using a technique called vitrification is safe, although women are less likely to become pregnant and have a live birth the longer the embryos are stored, according to new research published in Human Reproduction [1], one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals. There have been concerns that […]