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Respiratory and sleep medicine researchers recognised by Academy

Two leading respiratory and sleep medicine pioneers are among 29 of the nation’s top medical and health researchers elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Professor Christine Jenkins,...

Two leading respiratory and sleep medicine pioneers are among 29 of the nation’s top medical and health researchers elected...

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Pulmonary hypertension is common in people with type 2 diabetes

Clinically significant pulmonary hypertension (PH) is relatively common in type 2 diabetes according to a WA study  - strengthening the case for consideration of PH in the routine assessment of people with type 2 diabetes. The study of 1430 participants in...

Clinically significant pulmonary hypertension (PH) is relatively common in type 2 diabetes according to a WA study  - strengthening the...
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Holy Grail: The endoplasmic reticulum’s role in severe asthma pathogenesis

Can you sum up the aim of your research in 10 words?   Understanding disease mechanisms and investigating therapeutic targets for severe asthma. What led you to this line of research?  I always loved biology and it was my passion. When I started doing...

Can you sum up the aim of your research in 10 words?   Understanding disease mechanisms and investigating therapeutic targets for severe...
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Bronchiectasis definitions changed to ensure trial quality

An international taskforce of experts has developed new recommendations and definitions for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis to help standardise terminology and boost the quality of patient recruitment in clinical trials. In a paper published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, the authors...

An international taskforce of experts has developed new recommendations and definitions for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis to help standardise terminology and...
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11 respiratory medicine research grant winners revealed by NHMRC

Respiratory medicine clinician researchers have been awarded almost $15 million by the NHMRC for research projects according to its list of outcomes for the 2021 NHMRC Grant Application Round. Professor Shyamali Dharmage of Melbourne University receives $2.89 million for...

Respiratory medicine clinician researchers have been awarded almost $15 million by the NHMRC for research projects according to its list...
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Spirometry useful in assessment of cardiovascular risk.

A modest reduction in lung function is associated with both risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and non-fatal coronary events, but consistently more strongly associated with future SCD. A Swedish study presented at the ERS 2021 Congress, assessed baseline spirometry in...

A modest reduction in lung function is associated with both risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and non-fatal coronary events,...
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News in brief: More info on Philips respiratory device recall; Expert recommendations on interstitial lung abnormalities; Call for Medicare review of procedural specialist incomes

More information on Philips respiratory device recall The TGA has provided additional advice on the Philips recall action for CPAP, Bi-Level PAP devices and mechanical ventilators. The regulator is urging users of the devices affected by the Urgent Product Defect Correction...

More information on Philips respiratory device recall The TGA has provided additional advice on the Philips recall action for CPAP,...
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News in brief: Treprostinil benefit in IPF; Trucks bring sleep clinics to the bush; Gender disparity in citations a career barrier for female academics in medicine

Treprostinil benefit in IPF When used in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and associated pulmonary hypertension, inhaled treprostinil  has most benefit in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and especially idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a study show. Sub-group analysis of  a phase...

Treprostinil benefit in IPF When used in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and associated pulmonary hypertension, inhaled treprostinil  has most...
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Optimal duration of antibiotics for wet cough in children? Australian RCT provides some answers

The first randomised controlled trial to investigate the optimal duration of antibiotic treatment for wet cough and protracted bacterial bronchitis in children has produced mixed results for extending treatment beyond two weeks. While a four week course of amoxicillin-clavulanate was no...

The first randomised controlled trial to investigate the optimal duration of antibiotic treatment for wet cough and protracted bacterial bronchitis...
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NOVELTY study finds predicted heterogeneity in asthma and COPD

Clinicians and patients can expect a future shake-up in the labels given to patients currently described as asthma or COPD or to patients with features of both diseases. Baseline characteristics from the NOVEL observational longiTudinal studY (NOVELTY) have already demonstrated...

Clinicians and patients can expect a future shake-up in the labels given to patients currently described as asthma or COPD...
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Shifting paradigm in bronchiectasis: Q&A on neutrophil extracellular traps and targeting inflammation

Research on the importance of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in bronchiectasis is gaining ground, with a recent Lancet paper finding NETs to be a key marker of disease severity and treatment. the limbic caught up with senior author...

Research on the importance of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in bronchiectasis is gaining ground, with a recent Lancet...
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News in brief: Menthol cigs weren’t Kool for public health; Eco-friendly inhaler now on PBS; Australian 4D lung project gets big funding boost

Menthol cigarettes responsible for 378K premature deaths The "crisp, clean taste of menthol” introduced into cigarettes in the early-mid 20th Century was likely responsible for an extra 10.1 million smokers, 378,000 premature deaths and three million life-years lost. Research has shown that...

Menthol cigarettes responsible for 378K premature deaths The "crisp, clean taste of menthol” introduced into cigarettes in the early-mid 20th Century...
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Long-COVID lung effects reviewed at UK respiratory conference

Research on long-COVID and the extended outcomes on lung function were featured at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting, with a review of the most important papers on the long-term sequelae from the year’s most important story. In one study...

Research on long-COVID and the extended outcomes on lung function were featured at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting, with...
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Research funding bias against respiratory medicine

Clinicians managing conditions with a high disability burden such as respiratory disease are unlikely to receive research funding from the government’s flagship $5 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), a new analysis shows. The MRFF is biased towards fatal diseases...

Clinicians managing conditions with a high disability burden such as respiratory disease are unlikely to receive research funding from the...
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Long term lung abnormalities seen in people with COVID-19

Respiratory symptoms persist for months after diagnosis in many patients hospitalised with COVID-19, according to new research. “Understanding long-term respiratory outcomes, and in particular the clinical predictors of poor respiratory outcomes, will direct evidence-based management of post-COVID respiratory care,...

Respiratory symptoms persist for months after diagnosis in many patients hospitalised with COVID-19, according to new research. “Understanding long-term...
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CRE in Asthma Treatable Traits launched

A Centre of Research Excellence in Asthma Treatable Traits (CREATT) has been established by the NHMRC at the University of Newcastle, NSW. The centre os led by Professor Vanessa McDonald who along with Professor Peter Gibson and Professor John Upham bring...

A Centre of Research Excellence in Asthma Treatable Traits (CREATT) has been established by the NHMRC at the University of...
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Concern grows over ghostwriter authorship in medical journals

More than 40% of journal papers about cancer trials are now being written by commercial medical writers rather than researchers, according to a new study that raises concerns the practice could result in conflicts of interest. The study found the use...

More than 40% of journal papers about cancer trials are now being written by commercial medical writers rather than researchers,...
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WATCH ON DEMAND: ATS 2020 highlights through an Australian lens

If you didn't manage to join us for our webinar on the highlights from the recent ATS 2020 virtual meeting, you can now watch it on demand. Watch the webinar here: ...

If you didn't manage to join us for our webinar on the highlights from the recent ATS 2020 virtual meeting,...
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Respiratory research funding is inadequate and inequitable: experts

Advocacy for respiratory research has not been successful in communicating the urgency or scale of the problem, respiratory experts say.  In a letter published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine members of the...

Advocacy for respiratory research has not been successful in communicating the urgency or scale of the problem, respiratory...
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Respiratory journal impact factors revealed

The latest medical journal impact factor rankings have been released, showing that Lancet Respiratory Medicine leads the field in respiratory medicine with an impact factor of 25.094. According to figures released in Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports, other high impact journals...

The latest medical journal impact factor rankings have been released, showing that Lancet Respiratory Medicine leads the field in respiratory...
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Consider vocal cord dysfunction as a cause of chronic cough

Patients with chronic cough refractory to medical treatment may have an underlying vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) that is amenable to speech pathology. According to a comparison of 51 patients with VCD and 39 patients with chronic cough from the John Hunter...

Patients with chronic cough refractory to medical treatment may have an underlying vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) that is amenable to...
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Diagnostic delay still a barrier to effective PAH treatment: respiratory physician

The diagnostic delay which prevents early intervention in patients with PAH is not improving over time, according to data from the Pulmonary Hypertension Society of Australia and New Zealand registry between 2004 and 2017 The evidence...

The diagnostic delay which prevents early intervention in patients with PAH is not improving over time, according to...
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Gender bias evident against females at respiratory conferences

Women have fewer active participation roles at respiratory medicine conferences than men, although Australian meetings fare better than their international counterparts, research shows. A Royal Melbourne Hospital study published in the European Respiratory Journal, analysed gender participation rates at the...

Women have fewer active participation roles at respiratory medicine conferences than men, although Australian meetings fare better than their international...
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Conservative management should be standard option for moderate-to-large pneumothorax

Conservative observational management is an acceptable alternative to interventional management for uncomplicated, moderate-to-large primary spontaneous pneumothorax, an Australian study has shown. In a study involving 316 patients with a pneumothorax (≥32% on chest radiography) at 39 hospitals, those who were...

Conservative observational management is an acceptable alternative to interventional management for uncomplicated, moderate-to-large primary spontaneous pneumothorax, an Australian study has...
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5 OSA traits identify patients suitable for oral appliances

Polysomnography can be used in people with obstructive sleep apnoea to identify five traits that predict a good response to oral appliances, research shows. The pharyngeal traits of collapsibility and muscle compensation and non-pharyngeal traits of loop gain, arousal threshold and...

Polysomnography can be used in people with obstructive sleep apnoea to identify five traits that predict a good response to...
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CPAP has independent effect on depression in CHD patients

CPAP treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) reduces depression symptoms in people cardiovascular disease independently of improvements in daytime sleepiness, an Australian study has shown. In what is claimed to be the largest trial of its type, Professor Doug McEvoy and...

CPAP treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) reduces depression symptoms in people cardiovascular disease independently of improvements in daytime sleepiness,...
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Holy Grail: Re-wiring the immune response to prevent asthma

Can you describe the aim of this project in 10 words? To discover new strategies to treat allergic asthma. What have you discovered so far in this area? Our recent research, in an experimental model, showed that the enzyme known as enhancer...

Can you describe the aim of this project in 10 words? To discover new strategies to treat allergic asthma. What have you...
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6 tips on how to be a better mentor

Specialists not only have a duty of care for patients but also for their trainees. This was the message from Melbourne-based medical oncologist Dr Ranjana Srivastava in a session on mentoring at ASCO 2019. In her presentation, Dr Srivastava said...

Specialists not only have a duty of care for patients but also for their trainees. This was the message from...
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Phone app trained to diagnose coughs

An Australian smartphone app has been shown to distinguish between the cough sounds in children with various respiratory disorders. The app was able to diagnose asthma, croup, pneumonia, lower respiratory tract disease and bronchiolitis with 81 - 97% accuracy in a...

An Australian smartphone app has been shown to distinguish between the cough sounds in children with various respiratory disorders. The app...
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ANZ vasculitis group seeks respiratory physicians

A collaborative group of clinicians, scientists and consumers interested in research, best practice care and education in vasculitis has been established. Professor Catherine Hill, director of rheumatology at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, told the limbic that ANZ Vasculitis...

A collaborative group of clinicians, scientists and consumers interested in research, best practice care and education in vasculitis has been...
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Banish the term ‘burnout’ because it puts the blame on the individual

The term burnout should be banished from medicine because it suggests individuals are at fault, instead of placing the onus on the overstretched system that clinicians work in, a UK physician says. In his keynote address to the Royal College of...

The term burnout should be banished from medicine because it suggests individuals are at fault, instead of placing the onus...
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Professor Anne Kelso: health research faces big ethical and social challenges

New technology is opening up exciting opportunities in health and medical research but also delivering new challenges such as ethical issues, the head of the NHMRC says. Delivering the Wunderly Oration at the TSANZSRS meeting, Professor Anne Kelso called on the...

New technology is opening up exciting opportunities in health and medical research but also delivering new challenges such as ethical...
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Superheroes tackle infections at TSANZSRS 2019

The Gold Coast is famous for its theme parks, so perhaps it won’t be strange to see Super Heroes fronting up to the final event of the TSANZSRS Annual Scientific Meeting. The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) and...

The Gold Coast is famous for its theme parks, so perhaps it won’t be strange to see Super Heroes fronting...
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Clinical trial rethink needed to address unmet needs in severe asthma

A major rethink is needed on how clinical trials are conducted in severe asthma, leading respiratory physicians say. Innovation in trial design, effective partnerships with patient groups and multi-national trials consortia are urgently needed to tackle "significant and major" unmet...

A major rethink is needed on how clinical trials are conducted in severe asthma, leading respiratory physicians say. Innovation in...
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4 respiratory medicine experts in 2019 Australia Day Honours List

Four respiratory medicine clinicians have been recognised in the Australia Day 2019 Honours List. Professor Carol Armour, a respiratory pharmacologist and Executive Director of the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, was made a Member of the Order of Australia...

Four respiratory medicine clinicians have been recognised in the Australia Day 2019 Honours List. Professor Carol Armour, a respiratory pharmacologist and...
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Spirometry safe in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm

Pulmonary function testing is safe in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA), with no evidence of acute rupture of even large aneurysms or poorer outcomes following spirometry, UK research shows. Researchers from the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, led by Respiratory...

Pulmonary function testing is safe in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA), with no evidence of acute rupture of even...
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Stem cell treatment hope for babies with chronic lung disease

The medical team behind a world-first trial aimed at treating premature babies with chronic lung disease have a Monash Health Award under their belts – and praise from the worldwide neonatal health community. But, for them, it’s all about what...

The medical team behind a world-first trial aimed at treating premature babies with chronic lung disease have a Monash Health...
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Uncontrolled asthma common in school students: survey

High rates of asthma are reported by Australian school students, among whom around two thirds have poorly controlled or uncontrolled disease. Almost 14% of students aged 10-14 years said they had current asthma, in a survey of 9663 students at 103...

High rates of asthma are reported by Australian school students, among whom around two thirds have poorly controlled or uncontrolled...
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Respiratory physician elected to Academy in recognition of medical research

Respiratory physician and asbestos disease researcher Professor Bruce Robinson is among the 37 new Fellows elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences  in recognition of their outstanding contributions to health and medical research in Australia. Professor Robinson  is...

Respiratory physician and asbestos disease researcher Professor Bruce Robinson is among the 37 new Fellows elected to the Australian Academy...
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Lung complications tough to treat after stem cell transplant

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) remains the most common late-onset, noninfectious pulmonary complication after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and an area of need for both prevention and treatment. Professor Anne Bergeron, from the Hôpital Saint-Louis in Paris, told the recent...

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) remains the most common late-onset, noninfectious pulmonary complication after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and...
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Respiratory trials still flouting the rules

A significant proportion of respiratory clinical trials  are registered after the trial has started despite a long-standing policy on mandatory prospective trial registration, a new study shows. The study published in ERJ Express reviewed all of the randomised trials published in...

A significant proportion of respiratory clinical trials  are registered after the trial has started despite a long-standing policy on mandatory...
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Inspiratory muscle training has role in dyspnoea

Physiotherapy interventions can play a role in managing dyspnoea according to a number of recent ‘breakthrough’ studies, the ERS International Congress was told. Dr Daniel Langer, a physiotherapist from the University of Leuven, Belgium, said breathing retraining was a non-drug therapy...

Physiotherapy interventions can play a role in managing dyspnoea according to a number of recent ‘breakthrough’ studies, the ERS International...
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Why it’s time to rebut milk-mucus myth

The widely held belief that drinking milk promotes excessive mucus production in the lungs needs to be rebutted, a UK paediatric respiratory specialist says. Dr Ian Balfour-Lynn, of the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, says his department's staff are constantly told by...

The widely held belief that drinking milk promotes excessive mucus production in the lungs needs to be rebutted, a UK paediatric...
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Spirometry interpretation: still working towards clarity & consistency

Variations in spirometry interpretation between labs in Australia is leading to inconsistencies in diagnosis and management  of obstructive lung disease, a study suggests. Findings from a survey of 36 TSANZ-accredited lung function laboratories in Australia and New Zealand reveal 'substantial'...

Variations in spirometry interpretation between labs in Australia is leading to inconsistencies in diagnosis and management  of obstructive lung disease,...
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First study of lung mycobiome finds link to morbidity in bronchiectasis

The first study to characterise the pulmonary mycobiome in bronchiectasis has shown that it is distinct and that fungi, and specifically Aspergillus, appear to have a significant role in the disease. Screening for Aspergillus-associated disease should be considered, even...

The first study to characterise the pulmonary mycobiome in bronchiectasis has shown that it is distinct and that...
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“We show exactly where the air is going”: the smart lung function test

Australian technology - a 4D, X-ray fluoroscopy-based take on lung function testing - can help pinpoint regional deficits in lung function that global measures such as spirometry cannot. Presented at the ATS 2018 International Conference and with FDA approval pending, 4Dx...

Australian technology - a 4D, X-ray fluoroscopy-based take on lung function testing - can help pinpoint regional deficits in lung...
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Phage therapy makes a comeback to counteract multidrug resistance

Dr Thomas Patterson’s wife was told to expect the worst after he contracted a multidrug resistant Acinebacter baumannii infection in Egypt in 2015. Despite being flown to Germany for treatment and eventually home to the US, he had developed an uncontrolled intra-abdominal...

Dr Thomas Patterson’s wife was told to expect the worst after he contracted a multidrug resistant Acinebacter baumannii infection in Egypt...
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TSANZ: call for sarcoidosis research

A State of the Art Paper on Sarcoidosis has highlighted the need for more advocacy and research around the aetiology, prevention and management of the disease. The TSANZ resource, also summarised in the MJA, is the first update on...

A State of the Art Paper on Sarcoidosis has highlighted the need for more advocacy and research around the aetiology,...
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No weekend effect on COPD mortality

Hospital staffers have no need to feel guilty about the level of care they provide on the weekend with evidence from New South Wales that weekend admissions are not associated with increased mortality. The retrospective analysis comprised 148,722 patients admitted...

Hospital staffers have no need to feel guilty about the level of care they provide on the weekend with evidence...
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Respiratory research gets a much needed boost

An unprecedented amount of dollars will be going to fund research into respiratory diseases this year thanks to a joint initiative by the TSANZ, the Lung Foundation Australia, Cystic Fibrosis Australia and the National Asthma Council....

An unprecedented amount of dollars will be going to fund research into respiratory diseases this year thanks to...
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Respiratory disease the focus for many Australian clinical trials: report

Respiratory conditions are among the top ten study areas for clinical trials in Australia, with latest figures showing there have been 620 trials studying asthma, COPD and sleep apnoea over the last decade. In its latest report, the Australian New...

Respiratory conditions are among the top ten study areas for clinical trials in Australia, with latest figures showing there have...
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Respiratory extremes at the top of the world

How far would you go to advance respiratory science? Professor Mike Grocott, leader of the Xtreme Everest Oxygen Research Consortium and anaesthetist and the University of Southampton, UK, has been to the roof of the world and back - twice. Delegates...

How far would you go to advance respiratory science? Professor Mike Grocott, leader of the Xtreme Everest Oxygen Research Consortium...
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Promise of controversy and rarefied air at BTS Winter meeting

The British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting in London next month looks set to take delegates to new heights, as well as court some topics that its convenor says are likely to be controversial. Critical care consultant Professor Mike Grocott, from the...

The British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting in London next month looks set to take delegates to new heights, as well...
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Payments to top journal editors may undermine public trust, study says

One in two editors of top U.S medical journals are taking payments from the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry, a new study has found. The finding threatens to undermine public confidence in published research, according to the authors of the study...

One in two editors of top U.S medical journals are taking payments from the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry, a...
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Favourable survival data from PAH registry

Local data from the Pulmonary Hypertension Society of Australian and New Zealand (PHSANZ) Registry confirms that Australian patients with PAH aren’t doing too badly considering limited access to combination therapy. In a study of 220 cases of predominantly idiopathic PAH diagnosed...

Local data from the Pulmonary Hypertension Society of Australian and New Zealand (PHSANZ) Registry confirms that Australian patients with PAH...
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Why neonatal ARDS is a unique clinical entity

A specific definition for neonatal acute respiratory distress disorder (ARDS) - the Montreux definition - has been developed 50 years after ARDS was first reported in an older child. Similar to ARDS in older children and adults, neonatal ARDS is characterised...

A specific definition for neonatal acute respiratory distress disorder (ARDS) - the Montreux definition - has been developed 50 years...
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Oxygen of no benefit in suspected MI without hypoxia

Experts have recommended doing away with the routine use of supplemental oxygen in patients with suspected MI after a new study has revealed it offers no benefit in patients without hypoxia. The firmly entrenched practice has come under fire in recent...

Experts have recommended doing away with the routine use of supplemental oxygen in patients with suspected MI after a new...
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Pathology atlas maps cancer genes

A pathology atlas with an analysis of all human genes in all major cancers showing the consequence of their corresponding protein levels for overall patient survival. Published in Science, the Atlas is based on the analysis of 17 main cancer types using...

A pathology atlas with an analysis of all human genes in all major cancers showing the consequence of their corresponding...
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The clinical implications of cardiac dysfunction in COPD

Can you describe the aim of your research in 10 words? Exploration of cardiac dysfunction in COPD and its clinical implication What do you know/have discovered about this topic so far? High levels of biochemical markers of cardiac dysfunction, natriuretic peptides and troponins,...

Can you describe the aim of your research in 10 words? Exploration of cardiac dysfunction in COPD and its clinical implication What...
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Pancreatic enzymes worth a look in diabetes

In this week's holy grail feature the limbic spoke to endocrinologist Dr Liza Phillips about how she is using research in cystic fibrosis to inform diabetes management. Describe the aim of this project in 10 words. To evaluate a new approach to improving...

In this week's holy grail feature the limbic spoke to endocrinologist Dr Liza Phillips about how she is using research in...
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Intracellular zinc critical for healthy airway cells

Can you describe the aim of your research in 10 words? Targeting disease-related molecular dysfunction at the airway epithelium What do you know/have discovered about this topic so far? The airway epithelium represents a vast and complex immunological interface to the environment which...

Can you describe the aim of your research in 10 words? Targeting disease-related molecular dysfunction at the airway epithelium What do you...
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How in utero exposure can alter lung development

Can you describe the aim of your research in 10 words? Understanding the impact of prenatal insults on postnatal airway/lung structure-function. What do you know/have discovered about this topic so far? We have demonstrated how in utero hypoxia leads to a more heterogeneous...

Can you describe the aim of your research in 10 words? Understanding the impact of prenatal insults on postnatal airway/lung structure-function. What...
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EPO gives no edge to serious cyclists, researchers claim

Controversial new research suggests that doping with recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) - a behaviour that has brought down many elite cyclists - may not enhance racing performance. The Dutch study published in Lancet Haematology found EPO provided a small benefit in terms of maximal...

Controversial new research suggests that doping with recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) - a behaviour that has brought down many elite...
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Genomics to help close the gap in respiratory health 

Can you describe the aim of this new research in 10 words? To improve treatment and prevention strategies for respiratory disease What have you discovered in this area so far? Chronic respiratory disease is complex, and the big questions need a cross-disciplinary approach...

Can you describe the aim of this new research in 10 words? To improve treatment and prevention strategies for respiratory disease What...
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Bedside pleural ultrasound improves patient outcomes

An intervention focused on increasing the use of bedside pleural ultrasound and hands-on teaching of drainage techniques has been able to improve outcomes in patients with pleural effusions. The study at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital found complication rates...

An intervention focused on increasing the use of bedside pleural ultrasound and hands-on teaching of drainage techniques has been able...
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CPAP trial honoured for excellence

The Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Endpoints (SAVE) study has been honoured with an inaugural Excellence in Trial Statistics Award. Led by the Australasian Sleep Trials Network and Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, the study as reported in the limbic, identified that CPAP does...

The Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Endpoints (SAVE) study has been honoured with an inaugural Excellence in Trial Statistics Award. Led by the Australasian Sleep...
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Improving respiratory outcomes for preterm babies

Can you describe the aim of your research in 10 words? To improve the immediate and long-term outcomes of premature infants What have you achieved in this area so far? Early research focused on the use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and how...

Can you describe the aim of your research in 10 words? To improve the immediate and long-term outcomes of premature infants What...
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‘Research waste’ as Cochrane Reviews ignored by guidelines

Clinical guidelines relating to paediatric respiratory disease have been heavily criticised for not using the high quality evidence available in systematic reviews from the Cochrane Collaboration. The UK study published in Thorax identified 21 guidelines comprising 1,025 recommendations related to conditions such...

Clinical guidelines relating to paediatric respiratory disease have been heavily criticised for not using the high quality evidence available in...
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Holy Grail: severe steroid-insensitive asthma a major unmet need in asthma therapy

In this month's holy grail Jay Horvat, a Senior Lecturer in Immunology and Microbiology at Newcastle University in NSW describes his progress in addressing a major unmet need in asthma therapy...

In this month's holy grail Jay Horvat, a Senior Lecturer in...
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Holy Grail: Reducing the burden of asthma in South Australia

What’s the issue your research is trying to solve? Recent research has identified that 70% of asthma mortality is considered preventable or to have modifiable risk factors. And up to 90% of...

What’s the issue your research is trying to solve? Recent research has...
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Cardiac rehab has issues too

The Heart Foundation’s chief medical advisor has renewed calls for a national annual audit of cardiac rehabilitation programs. Cardiologist Professor Garry Jennings says that despite the proven benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, too many patients are continuing to slip through the cracks...

The Heart Foundation’s chief medical advisor has renewed calls for a national annual audit of cardiac rehabilitation programs. Cardiologist Professor Garry...
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Holy Grail: Understanding CF related diabetes

  Paediatric respiratory fellow Dr Bernadette Prentice tells us about her Holy Grail: to be able to detect which patients with CF will go on to develop diabetes at an earlier age. ...

  Paediatric respiratory fellow Dr Bernadette Prentice tells us about her Holy Grail: to be able to detect which patients with CF...
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Alan Hsu’s search for a better understanding of the immune system

Dr. Alan Hsu is a post-doctoral research fellow at University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). His research is focused on influenza virus infections and human immunity, and...

Dr. Alan Hsu is a post-doctoral research fellow at University...
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Holy Grail: Neutrophils can be anti-inflammatory too

    In our latest holy grail we caught up with Francesca Tang from the Woolcock Medical Research institute about the day she discovered neutrophils in asthma could also be anti-inflammatory. Can you...

    In our latest holy grail we caught up with Francesca...
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Dr Christian Osadnik looks back for the future

What’s the issue your research is trying to solve? My research (and topic of my Lung Foundation Australia / Boehringer Ingelheim COPD Fellowship, awarded at the recent TSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting...

What’s the issue your research is trying to solve? My research...
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Holy Grail: Gene therapy for PAH

In this month's holy grail we caught up with recipient of the 2015 TSANZ Ann Woolcock Young Investigator Award Rebecca Harper on her work with endothelial progenitor cells to find a...

In this month's holy grail we caught up with recipient...
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Lungs for Life partnership needs YOU!

TSANZ President Peter Gibson has urged members to get involved in a new joint initiative with Lung Foundation Australia that will give respiratory research the attention, and the funding, that it deserves. Through a new collaboration called Lungs for Life the...

TSANZ President Peter Gibson has urged members to get involved in a new joint initiative with Lung Foundation Australia that...
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6 reasons why consumers should be a part of your research team

Here are our take out tips from this morning's TSANZ concurrent session chaired by Hayley Haines and Dr Peter Franklin from  the Telethon Kids Institute on the reasons why all respiratory researchers should  involve consumers. 1. Funding and publication - Research funding bodies and...

Here are our take out tips from this morning's TSANZ concurrent session chaired by Hayley Haines and Dr Peter Franklin from  the...
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Every rejection cloud has a silver lining

Getting your research rejected by a journal isn’t always a bad thing according to the editors of two leading respiratory journals. At a breakfast session on Sunday morning deputy editor of The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Professor Fernando...

Getting your research rejected by a journal isn’t always a bad thing according to the editors of two leading respiratory...
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Name that lung sound

A European task force has reached a consensus on the naming of lung sounds – in 29 languages. “Auscultation of the lung remains an essential part of physical examination even though its limitations, particularly with regard to communicating subjective findings, are well...

A European task force has reached a consensus on the naming of lung sounds – in 29 languages. “Auscultation of the...
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Nathan Bartlett answers the Holy Grail

  What’s the issue your research is trying to solve? We are trying to better understand how the common cold virus (rhinovirus) impacts on human health. All of us are susceptible to...

  What’s the issue your research is trying to solve? We are...
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Vanessa Murphy answers the holy grail

In this week's Holy Grail we caught up with research scientist Dr Vanessa Murphy about her work investigating the characteristics, mechanisms and consequences of asthma exacerbations during pregnancy and their...

In this week's Holy Grail we caught up with research...
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Prestigious research grants up for grabs

One of three prestigious research grants worth €50,000 could be yours for the taking. We just jumped on to Xe.com and that equates to almost $79,000 Australian dollars. The ERS Gold Medals recognise excellence in asthma, COPD and ILD research and...

One of three prestigious research grants worth €50,000 could be yours for the taking. We just jumped on to Xe.com...
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Be an early bird: #TSANZSRS16

In 64 days, 17 hours and 7 minutes*  the who's who of respiratory medicine and research will gather in Perth for this year's Annual Scientific Meetings of The Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia...

In 64 days, 17 hours and 7 minutes*  the who's who of respiratory medicine and research will gather in Perth for this...
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Respiratory medicine and critical care: a call for papers

The Lancet and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine are planning special issues to coincide with the 2016 American Thoracic Society Conference in San Francisco, CA, USA, on May 13–18. They are seeking high-quality submissions in any specialty...

The Lancet and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine are planning special issues to coincide with the 2016 American Thoracic...
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Pulmonary cysts part of ageing

Solitary or sporadic pulmonary cysts are part of the normal ageing process, an epidemiological overview suggests. The analysis of participants of the large Framingham Heart Study identified 7.6% pulmonary cysts from over 2,600 chest CT scans. The cysts were most likely...

Solitary or sporadic pulmonary cysts are part of the normal ageing process, an epidemiological overview suggests. The analysis of participants...
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Patient support and research top priorities says Lung Foundation Chair

Strengthening patient support across the spectrum of respiratory diseases and increasing research funding will be top priorities for newly appointed Lung Foundation Chair Professor Christine Jenkins when she takes up the position early next year. “The Lung Foundation has a very...

Strengthening patient support across the spectrum of respiratory diseases and increasing research funding will be top priorities for newly appointed...
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The Early Origins of Lung Disease: TSANZSRS2016

Breakfast with the editors, a master class on bronchial provocation testing, the challenges of running a randomised trial, and dinner with your colleagues in a Hi-Vis vest are just some of the things to look forward to at next year's TSANZSRS...

Breakfast with the editors, a master class on bronchial provocation testing, the challenges of running a randomised trial, and dinner with...
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Sandra Hodge answers the Holy Grail

This week we feature Sandra Hodge from Adelaide and her quest to develop novel ‘steroid-sparing’ therapies for chronic inflammatory lung diseases.  What’s the issue your research is trying...

This week we feature Sandra Hodge from Adelaide...
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In search of more inhalable drugs

This week we talk to pharmaceutical scientist Mehra Haghi about her work developing novel formulations based on surfactants of the lung that have been successful in delivering a wide range of drugs via inhalation. What’s the issue your research is trying...

This week we talk to pharmaceutical scientist Mehra Haghi about her work developing novel formulations based on surfactants of the...
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Submit your abstract: TSANZ16

Abstract submission for the Annual Scientific Meetings of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand is now open. Abstracts must be submitted by 30 October 2015. Click here for...

Abstract submission for the Annual Scientific Meetings of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and the Thoracic...
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Greg King answers the Holy Grail

In the first of a series of articles profiling researchers we speak to Greg King about his search for a cure for asthma, his idea of a perfect day, and what he’d like his tombstone to say. ...

In the first of a series of articles profiling researchers we speak to Greg King about his search for a...
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Video: Personalising respiratory care

In this documentary style short film European Respiratory Society President Professor Elisabeth Bel and Professor Alvar Agusti consider whether personalised medicine and telehealth have the power to reduce the burden of chronic diseases and help contribute to the sustainability of...

In this documentary style short film European Respiratory Society President Professor Elisabeth Bel and Professor Alvar Agusti consider whether personalised...
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UK respiratory community needs to pull together: experts

A failure to come together as a community and speak as one voice may be the reason why respiratory research in the UK gets a small share of funding compared...

A failure to come together as a community and speak...
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AAS President: Science needs support to build a better Australia

A shift has occurred in the past year in the way the Australian public, politicians and business talk about science. Scientists are no longer considered to be “precious petals”. We are being taken seriously. We are being heard. At the...

A shift has occurred in the past year in the way the Australian public, politicians and business talk about science....
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MSCs have a potential role in ARDS

Mesenchymal stromal cells have the potential to become a revolutionary treatment for acute respiratory syndrome, an animal study has shown, but there are many challenges in translating the findings to clinical practice, editorialists say. The study by researchers from the University...

Mesenchymal stromal cells have the potential to become a revolutionary treatment for acute respiratory syndrome, an animal study has shown, but...
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Do you have a burning issue you want to write about?

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine is putting out a call to all budding authors working, studying, and researching on the frontline. Essays should be pieces of prose on any topic related to respiratory medicine or critical care and...

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine is putting out a call to all budding authors working, studying, and...
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Want to publish in the Lancet?

The Lancet and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine would like to hear from authors of research papers in any area of clinical research related to respiratory medicine and critical care. The two journals are planning special issues timed to...

The Lancet and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine would like to hear from authors of research papers in any...
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Many more COPD studies needed

If you're thinking about conducting research into COPD you may want to take a look at this joint statement from the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society on the research questions that still need answering. Great strides...

If you're thinking about conducting research into COPD you may want to take a look at this joint statement...
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The darker side of peer review

The publisher BioMed Central has retracted 43 scientific papers as part of a wider investigation into fraudulent peer review. The UK based publisher had identified a number of cases last year where authors had submitted fake names or real...

The publisher BioMed Central has retracted 43 scientific papers as part of a wider investigation into fraudulent peer review. ...
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Challenge dogma, says TSANZ research medal winner

Professor Richard Beasley has been awarded this year's TSANZ research medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to respiratory research and medicine. His work on beta-agonists and mortality and the impactful nature of that research was why Richard was selected from...

Professor Richard Beasley has been awarded this year's TSANZ research medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to respiratory research...
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How to get your research published

The editors of Thorax and Respirology  have given delegates some sage advice on how to get research published. Speaking to a packed breakfast session this morning Andrew Bush and Peter Eastwood set out what they think are the most important rules...

The editors of Thorax and Respirology  have given delegates some sage advice on how to get research published. Speaking to a...