Research News

This paper details an innovative study protocol which aims to use mobile technology to help treat young African Americans with asthma, customized to their activity level, daily experience, and personal goals. Participants will be recruited in part from multiple sites of the American Lung Association-Airway Clinical Research Centers network.

Bria Coates, M.D., was awarded the COVID-19 Respiratory Virus Research Award as a part of the American Lung Association’s COVID-19 Action Initiative. In January, she contributed to research reported on by the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), which provides evidence that pregnant women who were vaccinated for COVID-19 reduces the risk of infants being hospitalized from COVID-19 by 60%. 

John R. Balmes, M.D., a national volunteer medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association, drafted an editorial on the importance of indoor air quality, rounding up several studies that highlight how underrecognized household air pollution is on lung health. Dr. Balmes calls for large scale studies using HEPA and charcoal filters which would improve indoor air quality and ultimately reduce exposure to allergens and outside pollutants.

John R. Balmes, M.D., and national volunteer medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association, drafted an editorial on how long-term ozone exposure has negative effects on small airways. More studies are needed, but Dr. Balmes summarized the few available studies, and points out that individuals with COPD may be at greater risk when exposed to ozone, and lead to small airway obstruction.

A new study by Lung Association funded researcher, Andrew Stokes, Ph.D., from Boston University School of Public Health revealed that young adults who used e-cigarettes were more likely to develop respiratory issues within one year of vaping. The study found that participants who used e-cigarettes had greater incidence of self-reported respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, dry cough during sleeping and wheezing during exercise, within 12 months of use.

Dr. Hyungjin Eoh’s lab discovered that mycobacterium tuberculosis has evolved its metabolism to in such a way that it is able to withstand drug treatments, a mechanism important to developing better, more effective drugs in treating Tb. Dr. Eoh received the American Lung Association’s 2020-2021 Innovation Award for his work in tuberculosis.

This review article summarizes the epidemiology of tobacco use among people with HIV and the health consequences of tobacco use and dependence in this vulnerable population. This clinical guide is important as more than 40% of people living with HIV smoke cigarettes, and in patients on antiretroviral therapy, smoking reduces life expectancy more than HIV itself. Co-Author Krishna Reddy, M.D. is funded by the American Lung Association Innovation Award.

Dr. Hyungjin published this study finding that adding the molecule Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to the current TB drug regimen helps fight against dormant, non-replicating tuberculosis which might be hiding within the body’s cells. These findings will help to improve the treatment effect of drugs. Dr. Eoh received the American Lung Association’s 2020-2021 Innovation Award for his work in tuberculosis.