Pulmonary medicine https://medicalxpress.com/pulmonary-medicine-news/ en-us Latest medical news and research in Pulmonary medicine Once-nightly pill treats causes of airway collapse to control obstructive sleep apnea in large clinical trial A once-nightly oral pill helped control obstructive sleep apnea in a large, Phase III clinical trial presented at the 2026 ATS International Conference. The drug, called AD109, is the first therapy to treat OSA by addressing its underlying mechanisms and targeting the neuromuscular causes of airway collapse. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-nightly-pill-airway-collapse-obstructive.html Mon, 18 May 2026 07:00:03 EDT news698052901 How lungs balance defense and damage by tuning responses to deeper threats Barrier organs that form boundaries between the body and the outside environment, such as the lungs, skin, and intestines, face a difficult balancing act. They must respond quickly to threats such as infection, but they also need to avoid triggering unnecessary inflammation that can damage the tissue. A new study led by Whitehead Institute member Pulin Li and graduate student in her lab Diep Nguyen reveals one way the lung manages that tradeoff. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-lungs-defense-tuning-responses-deeper.html Sat, 16 May 2026 08:00:03 EDT news697991375 Ultra-processed foods tied to nearly fourfold asthma risk in children Children who get more than 30% of their daily energy from ultra-processed foods (UPFs), such as soda drinks, packaged snacks, and sweetened breakfast cereals, have a nearly fourfold risk of developing asthma in their early school years. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-ultra-foods-fourfold-asthma-children.html Thu, 14 May 2026 11:40:01 EDT news697977176 Urine nanosensor tracks lung cancer signals and early fibrosis, moving toward clinical trials A urine test developed by scientists at the University of Cambridge has moved a step closer to clinical use following new findings revealing it could do more than first thought. Originally designed to detect early signs of lung cancer and treatment resistance, the test shows potential in identifying biological signals associated with pulmonary fibrosis—a serious condition where early diagnosis remains a major challenge. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-urine-nanosensor-tracks-lung-cancer.html Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:07 EDT news697727282 Despite breakthroughs, many go without treatment for metastatic lung cancer About half of people diagnosed with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer never receive treatment, despite advances in options over recent decades that have created meaningful improvements in lifespan and quality of life for many patients. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-breakthroughs-treatment-metastatic-lung-cancer.html Thu, 07 May 2026 11:00:13 EDT news697277282 Study identifies post-extubation pneumonia as a distinct condition after surgery and determines key risk factors A Hiroshima University study of more than 31,000 patients found that pneumonia occurred more often after breathing tubes were removed than during ventilation, with most cases developing within a 1–2 week window after surgery. The findings suggest this under-recognized condition may be a distinct clinical entity linked to swallowing dysfunction and that early assessment and intervention, including identification of high-risk patients, may be key to prevention and improved outcomes. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-extubation-pneumonia-distinct-condition-surgery.html Thu, 07 May 2026 09:56:07 EDT news697366516 What is hantavirus? Symptoms, transmission and treatment explained As an Atlantic cruise ship remains isolated off the South African coast due to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, the world watches with anticipation to learn more about this uncommon but dangerous infectious disease. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-hantavirus-symptoms-transmission-treatment.html Thu, 07 May 2026 08:40:28 EDT news697361282 A preventable mining disease is still spreading through global pits as demand for critical minerals grows Researchers from National Jewish Health have conducted what is believed to be the largest systematic review of silicosis in mineral miners. Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease caused by the inhalation of respirable (breathable) crystalline silica dust, and—while preventable—it is not treatable and can be disabling. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-disease-global-pits-demand-critical.html Tue, 05 May 2026 16:00:06 EDT news697214461 Two-pronged phage treatment counters resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus lung infections Scientists from A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR IDL), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and international collaborators have uncovered how Mycobacterium abscessus—a bacterium that causes serious lung infections—can evade bacteriophage (phage) therapy, and demonstrated a combination strategy to overcome this resistance, offering a pathway toward more effective and durable treatments. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-pronged-phage-treatment-counters-resistance.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:40:01 EDT news697123621 Mothers without a specific fatty acid in the blood more often have children with asthma, study reveals Shortness of breath, coughing, and respiratory infections. Childhood asthma, also known as asthmatic bronchitis, is one of the most common chronic diseases in children worldwide. But why does the disease develop? Research shows that conditions in the very early phase of life—already during pregnancy—are likely to be decisive. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-mothers-specific-fatty-acid-blood.html Fri, 01 May 2026 12:20:01 EDT news696853681