NHLBI - Lung Research & Education

Researchers are studying how artificial intelligence could be used to help detect small airway disease by scanning photos from chest imaging exams. This could help reduce the need for additional imaging and prevent exposure to radiation among people with underlying lung conditions. Learn more about the research, which published in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine: https://bit.ly/41ZmSpz.

COPD exacerbations can be caused by many things, including illness. Researchers found bacterial vs. viral infections were linked to shorter COPD exacerbations and increased levels of an inflammatory marker. The authors explain that the findings could inform future research to investigate these associations and to study the potential use of targeted therapies: https://bit.ly/41Wwi56

People with conditions that affect their number of chromosomes, such as Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome, can experience respiratory problems. Now researchers have a better understanding of how this process starts in utero: https://bit.ly/3Dq8L3d

Smokers with normal lung-function and frequent respiratory flare-ups tend to have a decline in lung function over time and an increased risk of death, according to a new study. The findings could lead to earlier interventions to prevent COPD. https://go.nih.gov/mUGxgSa

Members of the COPD community: Remember to document your efforts in the COPD National Action Plan Community Action Tool. It tracks the wide variety of activities the COPD community is doing to advance the goals of the COPD National Action Plan. https://go.nih.gov/ZNLR5FG

Attn: Primary care providers ?? Earn free CME credit by listening to this Pri-Med podcast on what primary care providers should know about cystic fibrosis, including the factors contributing to delayed or missed diagnosis. Speakers include Dr. Marrah Lachowicz-Scroggins, program director with NHLBI's Division of Lung Diseases, and Dr. Deepika Polineni, director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. ??Listen here: https://bit.ly/3YSFipq

Researchers developed an artificial lung that shows promise as a more accurate model for studying human inhalation exposure, including the health effects of electronic cigarettes or vaping. The device could lead to new insights about lung toxins, according to a study in Environmental Science & Technology. https://go.nih.gov/WQ7I1tr

Is your organization or community working to support the goals of the COPD National Action Plan? Check out the Community Action Tool and learn how to submit your organization's work: https://go.nih.gov/ZNLR5FG

If wildfire smoke is impacting your air quality and you must be outdoors, make sure you are protecting yourself: ? NIOSH Approved respirators are sold at many home repair stores and pharmacies. ? Your respirator should fit over your nose and under your chin and seal tightly to your face. Learn more about how NIOSH Approved respirators can protect you: https://bit.ly/45QLYXC

With the ongoing wildfires in California, we wanted to share these tips to help you stay safe, avoid smoke exposure and protect your lungs from wildfire smoke: 1. Reduce strenuous physical activity. 2. Reduce other sources of indoor air pollution such as smoking cigarettes, using a wood-burning stove, or frying meat. Do not vacuum anywhere in the house. 3.Use central air conditioner or heater to filter the air: A home’s heater or air conditioner set to the fan mode may be able to filter out some of the particles by “re-circulating” the indoor air through the filter. 4. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters. Try to get an air purifier that has a HEPA (PM2.5) filter. Note: do not use air cleaner devices that produce ozone such as “super oxygenators”. 5.When traveling in a vehicle, keep windows closed, run the air conditioner, and set air to re-circulate to reduce smoke. Read more tips here: https://lnkd.in/dRMJxkB