Lungs are vital respiratory organs found in mammals, birds, and most reptiles, which are essential for breathing and gas exchange. In humans, the lungs are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the chest (thorax). The primary function of the lungs is to oxygenate blood by extracting oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide from the blood to the air, a process that occurs in the millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. The lungs are part of the lower respiratory system, which includes the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles that channel air in and out of the lungs. The surface area of the lungs is impressively large, due to the extensive network of alveoli, facilitating the vast exchange of gases necessary to support the body’s functions. The respiratory system is closely linked with the circulatory system, ensuring that oxygen-rich blood reaches all parts of the body while removing carbon dioxide waste, a byproduct of cellular metabolism.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered that ferroptosis, a specific type of cell death, is primarily responsible for the lung damage observed in severe COVID-19…
UC San Diego collaborates with UK researchers on a retrospective observational study to unravel a medical mystery. Pradipta Ghosh, M.D., sat down in her office…
A previously overlooked type of immune cell allows SARS-CoV-2 to proliferate, Stanford Medicine scientists have found. The discovery has important implications for preventing severe COVID-19….
NIH-supported research shows that the virus that causes COVID-19 can damage the heart without directly infecting heart tissue. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can…
Recent research reveals a breakthrough in lung repair, showing how delivering VEGFA via lipid nanoparticles can significantly repair damaged blood vessels, akin to plumbing repairs….
Researchers discovered that the sac around the lungs contains macrophages that fight flu infections by moving into the lungs, offering new insights into lung health…
Scientists from the University of São Paulo have discovered that severe COVID-19 is primarily caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the lungs,…
According to findings recently presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting, combining marijuana and cigarette smoking could result in greater harm to…
The SHAMAL study reveals that benralizumab, a biologic therapy, offers a new, safer approach to treating severe asthma without relying on high-dose steroids. A landmark…
A groundbreaking study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 can linger in the lungs for months, eluding detection and potentially leading to long COVID, due to failures in…
The survey reveals that the poorest regions are most severely impacted by the ‘postcode lottery’ in diagnostic services, and the report cautions about the fatal…
Researchers from the University of Iowa demonstrate that pulmonary ionocytes play a key role in the absorption of chloride and water. Researchers from the University…
Prolonged exposure to fine airborne particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) might heighten the risk of non-lung cancers in the elderly, according to recent research…
Statins lower the risk of dementia, however, a new drug negatively affects lung function. One of the most extensive global studies on the effects of…
Radiologists surpassed AI in accurately detecting three common lung diseases from chest X-rays, as per a study in the Radiology journal. AI tools, while sensitive,…
Researchers from UC San Francisco and UCLA have discovered that workers who produce artificial stone slabs for the most popular type of countertops sold in…
Researchers have demonstrated the potential to heal injured lung tissue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients using their own lung cells for the first…
The findings could lead to a cure for LAM. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati may have identified a potential treatment for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a…