Disruptions in the circadian rhythms in lung cells may explain why adults who survived premature birth are often more at risk of severe influenza infections, suggests a new study. Source
Paper addresses research needed to understand smoking and COVID-19
A new paper discusses how smoking may affect risk for COVID-19 and the types of research that are needed to better understand the link between smoking and COVID-19 risk. Source
New vaccine needed for serious childhood pneumonia
A rise in vaccine-resistant bacteria shows the need for a new vaccine to fight childhood empyema after a spike in hospitalisations, a new study reveals. Source
Researchers identify ‘violent’ processes that cause wheezing in the lungs
A team of engineers has identified the ‘violent’ physical processes at work inside the lungs which cause wheezing, a condition which affects up to a quarter of the world’s population. Source
New strategy blocks chronic lung disease in mice
A new study has uncovered a previously unknown role for exosomes in inflammatory respiratory diseases. The study has implications for finding new therapies. Exosomes are tiny compartments released from cells that carry different types of cargo, including inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that can drive lung disease. Source
How reducing body temperature could help a tenth of all ICU patients
A new study reveals how lower temperatures improve the activity of surfactant, a molecular mixture that is essential for breathing. This indicates that therapeutic hypothermia is a potential treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome, which affects a tenth of all intensive care unit patients. Source
TBE patients’ lasting problems
Impaired memory, reduced motivation, and declining motor skills. These are some of the problems that may persist several years after people contract tick-borne encephalitis, a recent thesis shows. Source
Sleep is vital to associating emotion with memory, study finds
When you slip into sleep, it’s easy to imagine that your brain shuts down, but new research suggests that groups of neurons activated during prior learning keep humming, tattooing memories into your brain. Source
Toddler sleep patterns matter
Researchers found that children with inconsistent sleep schedules have higher body mass index (BMI) percentiles. Her research also found that children from households with greater poverty had more overall inconsistent sleep onset times. But for families living in poverty, consistent bedtime scheduling may not be easily done, especially if a caregiver is the only parent, juggling multiple jobs, parenting multiple children or dealing with a tenuous housing situation. Source
High-risk gene for neurodevelopmental disorders linked to sleep problems in flies
The mutation of a gene that has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder led to marked sleep disturbances in fruit flies, according to a new study. The findings provide further evidence that sleep is linked to early neurodevelopmental processes and could guide future treatments for patients. Source