Respiratory Research Bulletin

Every year, millions of dollars is invested into research studies that aim to increase our knowledge of diseases so they can be better understood, diagnosed and treated. In this issue, we cover some of the respiratory health research projects that are currently being studied in New Zealand and Australia.

What does vaping really do to our lungs?

Dr Kelly Burrowes, a researcher and bioengineer from the University of Auckland, has now launched a study using human trials and stateof-the-art 3D computer models to get a precise look at what vaping does to our lungs.

The study looks at what exactly goes into vaping aerosols, where these chemicals travel in the body, and what effect they have on everything, from cells to whole organs.

Using their world-leading 3D computer modelling, the team will demonstrate the link between changes occurring at a cellular level, to how the lungs work as a whole, to really understand the impact of vaping on our bodies.

Exploring how Pacific children can better self-manage their asthma

Led by Dr. Sunia Foliaki from Massey University, this research study will explore ways that Pacific children can effectively self-manage their asthma by using asthma action plans.

Asthma self-management plans that are simple and readily available are proven to be effective at controlling asthma and reducing asthma mortality. However, the process of delivering and supporting Pasifika asthma patients has proven difficult in the past.

This study will explore the understanding of asthma among Pacific children and their families, and how they are being informed and educated about the management of asthma. It will also explore the perspectives, knowledge and experiences of asthma healthcare providers when working with Pasifika patients.

The findings will be integrated with previous research to develop recommendations, which will inform policies and guidelines to improve asthma control for Pasifika people in New Zealand.

The link between vanishing nature and asthma rates

and follows earlier research that studied a group of 50,000 children over 18 years. The research team previously discovered that children exposed to more green space were about 6% less likely to develop asthma, and that effect was even stronger in places with plenty of native trees and plants about.

The explanation could potentially be found in kids’ gut microbiota, given the growing evidence that the mix of microorganisms living within us play critical roles in maintaining our health.

Their next project will investigate if changes in gut microorganisms over time are associated with loss of biodiversity or less access to green spaces. They’ll also compare samples from asthmatic and nonasthmatic kids in New Zealand, Ecuador, Brazil and Uganda, to see if there are differences in microbiota.

If earlier findings are replicated, then the hope is that the learnings can be applied to the general population. For example, this could involve working with city councils to start providing more high-quality green spaces to help to reduce local asthma rates.

Differences in fungi and bacteria in leaky and nonleaky homes and their effect on lung health

Led by University of Otago Wellington, the ‘EM³ Microbiota of New Zealand Homes’ study will look, for the first time, at the communities of microbes (fungi and bacteria) that inhabit our homes, and if there are differences in microbes in homes that have had leaks .

Researchers will also investigate whether any of these microbes found in house dust or the traces of chemicals they produce may have an impact on our lung health.

Dietary supplement for asthma management

Researchers at Melbourne’s Monash University have found commonly used dietary supplement L-Tyrosine could help significantly reduce the severity of an asthma flare-up.

The study hopes to move to human trials next year, and if successful, researchers hope GPs will be able to prescribe the molecule to those with asthma in the near future.