Artificial stone, which is used mainly for kitchen benchtops, is a potent source of silica dust, which can scar the lung and cause lung cancer. Banning artificial stone could save lives.
Traditionally marketed to women, banning menthol tobacco flavouring would make a moderate impact on smoking harms. Australia is behind many other countries.
While the gut microbiome has gotten much of the spotlight, the microbes in the lungs also play an important role in health.
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New data shows 18% of workers in Victoria’s stone benchtop industry have silicosis. Ignorance and complacency around the risks of working with artificial stone are seeing tradies paying a high price.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
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Teaching deaf babies sign language improves the success of cochlear implants – and also safeguards their long-term physical and mental health.
Much of India experiences both extreme heat and extreme air pollution, as seen in this photo of the Akshardham Hindu temple. Days with both are going to increase.
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In South Asia, days with both extreme heat and extreme pollution are expected to increase 175% by 2050. Separately, the health effects are bad; together they will likely be worse.
Research shows smoking or vaping can make coronavirus illnesses worse.
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An addiction psychiatrist explains why smoking raises the risks from COVID-19 and how to quit.
To avoid the high risk COVID-19 poses to older adults with chronic illnesses, many doctors have shifted appointments to telemedicine.
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While COVID-19 raises the risk for people with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and COPD, social distancing can make it harder to keep up diets and medication.
Many young people are unaware of the health risks of e-cigarettes.
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Even as evidence of its adverse effects emerges, vaping is growing more popular among young people.
Hospitals have started using albuterol inhalers with coronavirus patients, making the rescue medication harder for asthma patients to find in some areas.
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Asthma rescue inhalers are in short supply, and asthma sufferers are worried about the risks they face from COVID-19. A doctor answers six key questions.
Controlled coughing can help people with cystic fibrosis, under supervision and in hospital. But when done at home, it could help spread the coronavirus.
Premature infants are at higher risk for lung diseases.
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Prenatal and postnatal antibiotic exposure combined with oxygen treatment led to lung inflammation and altered immunity in a study in mice.
In an emergency, like a bushfire, making sure you have enough of your regular medication can mean the difference between life and death. But there are many ways to prepare.
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Defining what this disease is and who has it has helped those investigating the outbreak understand what caused it.
If we can’t afford natural stone, like marble, it’s tempting to choose engineered or artificial stone instead. But at what cost to those who breathe in the silica dust when cutting it?
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We’ve still got a lot to learn about the long term health effects of vaping. But based on what we know so far, vaping liquids containing oils, and especially cannabis/THC liquids, should be avoided.
Lung MRI of an ex-smoker of cannabis and tobacco, showing poor lung function and truncated airway tree. In vaping patients, oily substances have also been found inside their lung tissue and airways.
(Parraga lab)
Lung infections are the most common reason for Aboriginal children to be hospitalised. But many cases can be prevented by seeking treatment for wet coughs that last for four weeks or more.
Research Leader in Respiratory cellular and molecular biology at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney