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 […]
Young vapers perform worse in exercise testing
Young people who vape perform worse than non-vapers in tests designed to measure their capacity for exercise, according to a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. The research also showed that the performance of young vapers was similar to that of young smokers. The study adds to growing […]
Long-term exposure to air pollution and a lack of green space increases the risk of hospitalisation for respiratory conditions
Long-term exposure to air pollution and a lack of access to green spaces increases the risk of hospitalisation for respiratory conditions, according to a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. Traffic-related air pollution is also strongly linked to the progression from asthma to asthma-COPD, according to a second […]
Saline nasal drops reduce the duration of the common cold in young children by two days
Using hypertonic saline nasal drops can reduce the length of the common cold in children by two days, according to a study that will be presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria [1]. They can also reduce the onward transmission of colds to family members. The results of the ELVIS-Kids randomised […]
Experts call for routine measurement of lipoprotein (a) levels
Studies highlight the role played by Lp (a) in heart and blood vessel diseases London, UK: Heart experts say that everyone should have their levels of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a) measured routinely at least once in life, following research from one of the most populous EU countries, Poland, that shows how common high levels of Lp(a) […]
Does low lipoprotein(a) increase the risk of diabetes? New research suggests it does not
Efforts to reduce Lp(a) levels in patients with cardiometabolic conditions should continue London, UK: New research has shown that, contrary to some previous studies, low levels of lipoprotein (a) – a parcel of fats and protein in the blood – do not cause type 2 diabetes. The findings may alleviate concerns that drugs aimed at […]