Posts by: Joana Fernandes, PhD

Joana Fernandes, PhD

Joana brings more than 8 years of academic research and experience as well as Scientific writing and editing to her role as a Science and Research writer. She also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology in Coimbra, Portugal, where she also received her PhD in Health Science and Technologies, with a specialty in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

May 15, 2017May 15, 2017

New York Researchers Create Lung-in-a-Dish Model to Study Respiratory Diseases

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, News

A Columbia University Medical Center team has created a three-dimensional structure similar to a lung to help scientists do a better job of studying respiratory diseases, according to a study. They cultured ... Read more

April 21, 2017April 21, 2017

Heartburn Therapy May Not Be Effective or Safe for IPF Patients on Esbriet

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, News

Heartburn treatments, such as antacid therapy (AAT), may not be effective or safe as an add-on treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients receiving Esbriet (pirfenidone), according to a study. ... Read more

April 12, 2017April 13, 2017

Researchers Develop New Probe to Follow PF Progression, Treatment

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, News

Researchers developed a new probe to use in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging that may help diagnose and monitor pulmonary fibrosis, according to a study. The probe, called 68Ga-CBP8, binds ... Read more

April 4, 2017April 4, 2017

Tezacaftor-Kalydeco Combo Is Promising CF Treatment, Phase 3 Trials Show

Cystic Fibrosis, News

A combination of tezacaftor and ivacaftor significantly improved lung function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients 12 years and older who had a F508del mutation, according to two Phase 3 clinical ... Read more

March 23, 2017March 23, 2017

New Research Reveals How IPF Treatments Ofev and Esbriet Work

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, News

Researchers from Germany have identified how Ofev (nintedanib) and Esbriet (pirfenidone) work — two FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study, titled “A Novel Antifibrotic Mechanism ... Read more

March 20, 2017March 20, 2017

AstraZeneca, Circassia Partner on COPD Medications Tudorza and Duaklir for U.S. Market

COPD, News

AstraZeneca and Circassia Pharmaceuticals will joint develop and market Tudorza and Duaklir — inhaled drugs to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — in the United States. Tudorza received Food and Drug ... Read more

March 10, 2017March 10, 2017

Women with High Sex Hormone Levels More Prone to Asthma and Allergies, Researcher Says

Asthma, News

Women with high levels of the sex hormone estrogen are more susceptible to asthma, pollen and food allergies, according to an Austrian researcher who noted that estrogen levels fluctuate with ... Read more

February 14, 2017February 14, 2017

Antibiotics May Make Newborns More Susceptible to Pneumonia, Researchers Say

News, Pneumonia

Widespread use of antibiotics in newborns may interfere with gut bacteria, increasing the risk of the infants developing pneumonia, according to a study. The research, “Intestinal Commensal Bacteria Mediate Lung ... Read more

January 31, 2017January 31, 2017

Anxiety, Depression May Increase Mortality Among Lung Cancer Patients

Lung Cancer, News

Patients who are diagnosed with cancer can experience significant emotional distress. Now a study has shown that anxiety and depression may increase mortality among patients who have advanced lung cancer. ... Read more

January 10, 2017January 10, 2017

Researchers Remain Unsure if Using Heartburn Medication During Pregnancy Causes Asthma in Newborns

Asthma, News

Heartburn medication to treat acid reflux during pregnancy may be linked with the development of asthma in newborns, but it is not yet clear whether this association is direct or ... Read more