Glasgow, UK: The rate of men dying from malignant melanoma has risen in populations around the world, while in some countries the rates are steady or falling for women, according to research presented at the 2018 NCRI Cancer Conference. Researchers studied worldwide data on deaths gathered by the World Health Organisation, focusing on 33 countries […]
Fluorescent marker can help guide surgeons to remove dangerous brain tumour cells more accurately
Glasgow, UK: A chemical that highlights tumour cells has been used by surgeons to help spot and safely remove brain cancer in a trial presented at the 2018 NCRI Cancer Conference. The research was carried out with patients who had suspected glioma, the disease that killed Dame Tessa Jowell, and the most common form of […]
The age at which women experience their first period is linked to their sons’ age at puberty
The age at which young women experience their first menstrual bleeding is linked to the age at which their sons start puberty, according to the largest study to investigate this association in both sons and daughters. The research, which is published in Human Reproduction [1], one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals, looked at […]
Why single embryo transfer during IVF sometimes results in twins or triplets: world’s largest study investigates prevalence and causes
It has been known for some time that it is better to transfer a single embryo to a woman’s womb during assisted reproduction treatment (ART) rather than several embryos in order to avoid a multiple pregnancy and the risks associated with it such as foetal deaths, miscarriage, premature delivery and low birthweight. However, even when […]
Artificial intelligence improves doctors’ ability to correctly interpret tests and diagnose lung disease
Paris, France: Artificial intelligence (AI) can be an invaluable aid to help lung doctors interpret respiratory symptoms accurately and make a correct diagnosis, according to new research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress [1]. Dr Marko Topalovic (PhD), a postdoctoral researcher at the Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), […]
Green space near home during childhood is linked to fewer respiratory problems in adulthood
Paris, France: Children who have access to green spaces close to their homes have fewer respiratory problems, such as asthma and wheezing, in adulthood, according to new research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress [1]. In contrast, children who are exposed to air pollution are more likely to experience respiratory problems as young […]
Exposure to organochlorine pesticides in the womb linked to poorer lung function in childhood
Paris, France: Babies exposed to higher levels of organochlorine compounds in the womb go on to have worse lung function in childhood, according to new research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress [1]. These compounds, which include the pesticide DDT, as well as electrical insulators and other industrial products, are now banned in […]
COPD patients suffer fewer respiratory-related problems when treated with Targeted Lung Denervation
Paris, France: First results from a clinical trial of a procedure to open obstructed airways in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have shown that it significantly reduces problems associated with the disease and is safe. Presenting findings from the AIRFLOW 2 phase II clinical trial, the principal investigator, Dr Dirk-Jan Slebos, from the […]
Quick and easy test for viral infections reduces hospital admissions and antibiotic use
Paris, France: A quick and easy test for viral infections can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and hospital admissions, according to new research presented to the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] The test, which takes just 50 minutes to obtain results, could save hospitals around €2,500 per patient not admitted to hospital, would help to […]
Paracetamol use in infancy is linked to increased risk of asthma in some teenagers: specific variants in the GST genes seem to play a role in greater susceptibility to lung problems
Paris, France: Children who take paracetamol during their first two years of life may be at a higher risk of developing asthma by the age of 18, especially if they have a particular genetic makeup, according to new research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] Ms Xin (Daisy) Dai told the meeting […]