The rise and rise of asthma
Further Reading
January/February 2010, page 5
RNA approach to asthma and arthritis
Describes Australian research into blocking microRNA molecules to prevent asthma.
October 2006, pages 38-40
Genetic links between asthma and obesity (by Cheryl Salome and Michael Rolph)
Examines the activity of a gene implicated in metabolic disease and asthma.
June 2005, pages 14-17
The effect of indoor air pollution on children's health (by Krassi Rumchev)
Infants and children are more vulnerable to pollutants found in high concentrations in our homes.
May 2004, pages 19-20
The scars of asthma (by Janette Burgess)
Explains how the growth of scar-forming tissue is responsible for airways narrowing in asthmatics.
2 May 2011
Childhood eczema leads to adult allergic asthma (by Becky Crew)
Discusses the links between the conditions of asthma, hay fever and eczema.
August 2005
Worms of endearment (by Abbie Thomas)
Describes a possible therapy for allergy sufferers.
June 2006, pages 43-46
Asthma: have we reached the peak? (by John Woods and Philip Thompson)
Says that the rise in asthma cases seems to have plateaued and discusses possible reasons for the prevalence of asthma.
11 February 2011
Breath sensor predicts an asthma attack the day before (by Helen Knight)
Magazine issue 2798
Reports on new technology that can help warn asthma sufferers of an impending asthma attack.
5 July 2007
Gene variation raises asthma risk by 60% (by New Scientist and Reuters)
Describes the discovery of a genetic variation that increases the risk of developing asthma.
29 March 2007
Asthma soothed by airway radio-blasts (by Roxanne Khamsi)
Looks at a device that heats the muscle lining of airways using radio waves to prevent asthma attacks.
10 September 2005, page 18
Dose of worms may ease asthma (by Andy Coghlan)
Describes a new therapy for allergy-prone people.
11 April 2005, pages 34-39
Pregnant smokers increases grandkids' asthma risk (by Gaia Vince)
Discusses the theory that commensal microbes regulate the response of the immune system to allergens.
January 2008
Asthma and allergies: Spotlight on leukotrienes (by Julie Van Rossom)
Reports on research into an enzyme involved in allergies.
May 2004
The allergy enigma
Looks at the epidemiology of allergies and sources of environmental allergens. Also includes boxed information ‘Data on plant proteins’ and ‘Apples, false friends’.
3 November 2010
Traffic fumes risk kids’ asthma
Describes how children aged 4 and under are most at risk of asthma attacks from traffic related air pollution.
15 October 2007
Breastfed babies breathe easy
Breastfeeding within the first 12 months of life may offer a protective effect against asthma and wheezing in children.
19 June 2007
Asthma link to obesity
A new asthma gene has provided an unexpected link between asthma and obesity.
27 October 2010
What can country of birth tell us about childhood asthma?
Compares country of birth and socioeconomic status on the prevalence of childhood asthma.
25 October 2010
Discovery of taste receptors in the lungs could help people with asthma breathe easier
Describes how this bizarre new discovery may help in the development of new asthma treatments.
17 August 2010
Ozone and nicotine a bad combination for asthma
Outlines how second hand tobacco smoke can combine with ozone forming dangerous ultrafine particles.
5 July 2010
Ultrafine particles in air pollution may heighten allergic inflammation in asthma
Describes the role of ultrafine pollution particles in causing allergic airway inflammation.
1 June 2009
Caffeine shown as effective at reducing exercise-induced asthma symptoms as an albuterol inhaler
Ingesting caffeine within an hour of exercise may reduce the symptoms of exercise induced asthma.
9 April 2010
Traffic-related pollution near schools linked to development of asthma in pupils, study suggests
Suggests that traffic-related pollution near schools contributes to the development of asthma in children.
25 March 2010
Breathe easy: a natural fruit compound may help asthma
Natural chemicals from blackcurrants may help breathing in some types of asthma
Scientific American
14 April 2011
Why Are Asthma Rates Soaring? (by Veronique Greenwood)
Discusses research that contradicts the argument that asthma rates have increased as a result of our cleaner, more sterile environments.
10 March 2011
Old MacDonald Had Some Kids ... Without Asthma (by Bill Chameides)
Discusses the link between asthma and microbes and the possible disadvantages of living in a sterile environment.
5 July 2007
Asthma Gene Newly Uncovered (by Nikhil Swaminathan)
Reports on the discovery of a gene mutation that may increase the risk of developing asthma.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Asthma in Australia 2011.
A comprehensive study of the current status of asthma in Austalia.
Page updated March 2010.