Eating legumes, soy products may help improve COPD symptoms

Isoflavones in these foods may reduce inflammation for people with COPD

COPD Foundation

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Miami (April 23, 2026) – Consuming legumes and soy-based foods may help improve symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by reducing inflammation and irritation, according to a new study in the March 2026 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal.

COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a progressive, inflammatory lung disease that affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Previous research has identified diet and nutrition as modifiable risk factors for chronic lung disease, including COPD.

This new study examined how increased isoflavone consumption impacted participants’ breathing symptoms, cough, and overall lung health. Isoflavones are a natural substance, commonly found in legumes and soy-based foods.

Participants were all former smokers and completed questionnaires regarding diet and symptoms, in addition to lung function tests and clinical assessments, at baseline, three months, and six months. Isoflavone consumption was reported as the average intake at each of the three visits or at all visits that consumption data was available.

Study results showed people with higher isoflavone consumption experienced fewer breathing-related symptoms, including reduced coughing and less difficulty clearing mucus, and improved lung health.  

“Research has proven diet and nutrition can impact lung health. We need to further understand which specific nutritional components are responsible for reducing the symptoms of inflammatory conditions like COPD,” said Daniel C. Belz, M.D., MPH, of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and lead author of the study. “Additionally, larger studies are necessary to explore how increasing isoflavone consumption helps improve COPD symptoms and overall lung health.”

To access current and past issues of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, visit journal.copdfoundation.org.

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About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help millions of people live longer and healthier lives by advancing research, advocacy, and awareness to stop COPD, bronchiectasis, and NTM lung disease. The Foundation does this through scientific research, education, advocacy, and awareness to prevent disease, slow progression, and find a cure. For more information, visit copdfoundation.org, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

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Journal

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation

DOI

10.15326/jcopdf.2025.0695 

Method of Research

Observational study

Article Title

Isoflavone Intake is Associated With Decreased Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Morbidity

UH OH. WAIT, WHAT?!

New 3D device harnesses living brain cells for computing

Princeton University, Engineering School

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Biological neurons growing over and through a layer of a 3D electronic mesh. Researchers programmed the device to recognize patterns. Image courtesy of the researchers

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Credit: Courtesy of the researchers/Princeton University

Princeton researchers have combined brain cells and advanced electronics into a single 3D device that can be programmed to recognize patterns using computational techniques.

Past attempts at using brain cells to do computation have relied on 2D cultures grown in a petri dish or 3D clusters that are probed and monitored from outside. The Princeton device takes a different approach, working from the inside out.

Using advanced fabrication techniques, the team created a 3D mesh made of microscopic metal wires and electrodes supported by a thin epoxy coating. Because the coating is so thin, it has just the right amount of flexibility to interface with the soft neurons that grow around it. The team used the mesh as a scaffold to culture tens of thousands of neurons into a vast 3D network that can be used to do computation.

The study was published in Nature Electronics on Apr. 23.

The researchers said the new integrated approach enabled them to record and stimulate the neurons’ electrical activity at a much finer scale than past approaches. They tracked the evolution of the system over a period of more than six months, experimenting with ways to strengthen and weaken connections between key neurons, and ultimately trained an algorithm that could recognize patterns of electrical pulses.

In one test, they used pairs of distinct spatial patterns. In another, they used distinct temporal patterns. The system correctly distinguished among the patterns in both tests. The researchers said they hope to scale the system to the point where it can do increasingly complex tasks.

The work was led jointly by Tian-Ming Fu, assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute; James Sturm, Stephen R. Forrest Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and Kumar Mritunjay, a postdoctoral researcher in electrical and computer engineering.

While initially developed to study fundamental problems in neuroscience, the team realized it could shed light on a key bottleneck of modern AI technology: energy consumption.

“The real bottleneck for AI in the near future is energy,” said Fu. “Our brain consumes only a tiny fraction — about one millionth — of the power consumed by today’s AI systems to perform similar tasks.”

Mritunjay, the paper’s first author, said that systems like this, called 3D biological neural networks, “not only help uncover the computing secrets of the brain but can also assist in understanding and possibly treating neurological diseases.”

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Journal

Nature Electronics

DOI

10.1038/s41928-026-01608-1 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

A three-dimensional micro-instrumented neural network device

Article Publication Date

23-Apr-2026

Artist's rendering of a biocomputing device that combines biological neurons with advanced electronics into a network that can be programmed to recognize patterns. Image by Kate Zvorykina/Ella Maru Studio, Inc. 

Credit

Kate Zvorykina/Ella Maru Studio, Inc.

WORD OF THE DAY

A sinking lithospheric root raised Mongolia’s Hangay Mountains

New study identifies oroclinal bending as the trigger for lithospheric foundering and surface uplift

Geological Society of America

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Central Mongolia’s Hangay Mountains rise more than four kilometers above sea level, forming a dramatic dome that shapes the region’s climate. But for decades, geologists have been puzzled: what caused this massive mountain range to form so far from any active plate boundary? Unlike the linear Himalayas, which are still rising from the collision of India and Asia, the dome-shaped Hangay Mountains show little internal deformation, suggesting a different and previously unknown mechanism.

In a new study published in Geology, an international research team led by Professor Pengfei Li of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reports the first discovery of Cretaceous magmatism in the Hangay Mountains, allowing them to establish a spatial and temporal link between deep geodynamic processes and surface uplift. By analyzing the ages and geochemistry of newly discovered volcanic rocks, the team found that a dense piece of lithospheric mantle beneath the Hangay Mountains broke off and sank into the deeper mantle about 125–114 million years ago.

This “foundering” event triggered melting of the mantle, generated magma, and caused the overlying crust to dome upward, creating the dome-shaped Hangay Mountains we see today. Remarkably, this foundering happened after an ancient plate boundary bent into a giant U-shape—a process called oroclinal bending—which thickened the lithosphere at the most-curved part of that bend to facilitate the subsequent foundering.

The findings offer a new model for understanding how mountains can form in the middle of continents, far from plate boundaries. They also reveal a surprising link between deep Earth processes and surface landscapes: large-scale oroclinal bending can drive a lithospheric root to sink, which in turn triggers volcanism, builds topography, and even influences regional climate by creating rain shadows. This study opens fresh questions about how such “intracontinental” mountains may have shaped Earth’s habitability over deep time, and it could help scientists better interpret similar mountain ranges elsewhere on our planet.

Citation: Ling, J., et al., 2026, Early Cretaceous uplift of the Hangay Mountains (central Mongolia): A consequence of lithospheric foundering following oroclinal bending: Geology, https://doi.org/10.1130/G54383.1

Sign up for e-Alerts for Geology, GSA Bulletin, and Geosphere: https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/GSA/Pubs/jrnlAccess.aspx

About the Geological Society of America

The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global professional society with more than 18,000 members across over 100 countries. As a leading voice for the geosciences, GSA advances the understanding of Earth's dynamic processes and fosters collaboration among scientists, educators, and policymakers. GSA publishes Geology, the top-ranked “geology” journal, along with a diverse portfolio of scholarly journals, books, and conference proceedings—several of which rank among Amazon’s top 100 best-selling geology titles.

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Journal

Geology

DOI

10.1130/G54383.1 

Article Title

Early Cretaceous uplift of the Hangay Mountains (central Mongolia): A consequence of lithospheric foundering following oroclinal bending

Article Publication Date

20-Apr-2026

From air to tea: new sensor reveals invisible pollution in minutes

Fine particulate matter in the air or nanoparticles in water – a remarkable new technology developed at TU Wien makes it possible to detect tiny amounts of a wide range of substances in a very short time

Vienna University of Technology

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Jelena Timarac Popovic

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Credit: Romana Maalouf Photography

Over many years, researchers at TU Wien have developed an unusual new measurement technique: nanomembranes and infrared light are used to detect extremely small quantities of different substances. It has now been demonstrated that the technology is ready for practical use and outperforms existing methods by orders of magnitude in many respects. Environmental pollutants can be detected in the nano- or picogram range – results that previously required days or even weeks can now be obtained within minutes.

This measurement technique has been developed and refined at TU Wien over the past years in collaboration with the spin-off company Invisible-Light Labs, founded by Prof. Silvan Schmid together with Dr. Josiane P. Lafleur, Dr. Niklas Luhmann, and Dr. Hajrudin Bešić. The resulting product, EMILIE™, is now commercially available, and the first scientific publications have appeared. In two research articles, the team has demonstrated how well the new method performs: in Science Advances, it was applied to aerosols in the air, and in ACS Nano to nanoparticles in water – even enabling the detection of minute traces released from a nylon teabag into tea. “We have now reached the decisive milestone: we were able to show that our method delivers excellent results in real-world applications and clearly outperforms other techniques.”

Making the invisible visible with light

“In principle, it is already possible today to detect almost any chemical substance in trace amounts,” says Silvan Schmid, head of the research team. “For example, a sample can be illuminated with many different wavelengths in the infrared range. Different molecules respond to different wavelengths – and from that, we can determine which molecules are present in the sample.”

However, this approach has its limitations: a sufficient amount of the target substance is required to generate a measurable signal. Other, irrelevant components of the sample can obscure the signal of interest and render it invisible – much like the noise of a jackhammer drowning out the song of a bird.

The nanomembrane trick

“In recent years, we have developed a detection method that makes it possible to reliably measure extremely small quantities of material,” says Silvan Schmid. The method analyzes particles that accumulate on a tiny membrane. The membrane, together with the particles, is illuminated with infrared light. Certain wavelengths are strongly absorbed by the particles, causing them – and thus the membrane – to heat up slightly. This leads to a tiny change in the membrane’s vibrational behavior – similar to how a drum sounds slightly different depending on its temperature. These changes can be measured with great precision, allowing even very small particle quantities to be chemically identified.

Greenland air and a nanoliter of tea

In the past, detecting ultrafine particulate matter in air required special filters through which air had to be pumped for days or even weeks until a sufficient amount of particles had accumulated. With the new membrane-based approach, far fewer particles are needed – results can be obtained after just 15 to 45 minutes. This 100-fold reduction in sampling time enables cost-effective field studies of the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols – from densely populated urban areas to remote polar regions.

Prof. Julia Schmale from the Extreme Environments Research Laboratory (EERL) at EPFL in Switzerland used the new method to investigate aerosols from Arctic and Antarctic regions in order to better understand their impact on the climate. The sensors are both highly sensitive and sufficiently portable to be deployed on tethered balloons in polar regions, allowing researchers to study the vertical distribution and chemical composition of airborne particles.

“Thanks to the high sensitivity of our method, Julia Schmale’s team can analyze the chemical composition of particles with high temporal resolution. It is now possible, using tethered balloons, to observe how the chemical composition of aerosol particles changes over short timescales and how it varies between ground level and higher altitudes – something that was practically impossible with previous methods,” explains Josiane P. Lafleur, CEO of Invisible-Light Labs.

The technology also works extremely well for liquids: the research group led by Silvan Schmid at TU Wien analyzed just 100 nanoliters of tea water – roughly one thousandth of a drop. Even in this tiny amount, they were able not only to detect components of the tea itself, but also traces of nylon released from the teabag.

“We have demonstrated that our method represents a major step forward in environmental analytics,” says Silvan Schmid. “Together with Invisible-Light Labs, we now aim to further commercialize this technology and hopefully contribute to more effective environmental protection.”

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Journal

Science Advances

DOI

10.1126/sciadv.aeb2254 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Quantifying submicrometer atmospheric aerosol chemical composition using nanoelectromechanical Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Article Publication Date

22-Apr-2026

 

Why heat deaths occur during low-level alerts - new UK study

Public misunderstanding and low engagement with warnings leaving vulnerable groups exposed, researchers say

University of East London

Many heat-related deaths in England occur during lower-level alerts that the public is least likely to respond to, with new research from the University of East London highlighting a critical gap between warning systems and public behaviour.

Based on a nationally representative survey of more than 1,000 adults in England, the research highlights widespread gaps in awareness, understanding and response to heat health alerts.

Key findings include:

• Nearly one in three people (30%) had not received a heat-health alert at all
• Over 40% of those who had received alerts said they ignored them
• Only 25% said they would act on yellow alerts, compared to a much higher response to red warnings
• Older adults (65+) were among the least likely to take action unless alerts reached the highest level

Older people - who account for more than 90% of heat-related deaths - are also among those least likely to respond to lower-level alerts, suggesting those most at risk may be missing critical opportunities to protect themselves.

The research also highlights inequalities in who receives and engages with alerts, with older adults and lower-income groups less likely to encounter warnings in the first place, pointing to gaps in reach and digital exclusion.

Beyond awareness, the study found that many people do not perceive heat as a serious personal risk, or lack clear guidance on what action to take. Misunderstanding of alert levels is common, and unclear messaging may be contributing to widespread inaction.

Researchers warn that the current system risks creating a false sense of security during lower-level alerts, when people are less likely to act despite real and present dangers.

Dr Mehri Khosravi, Senior Research Fellow at the University of East London and lead author of the study, said,

“Too many people are not seeing, not understanding, or not acting on heat alerts – and that is putting lives at risk. Lower-level warnings in particular are being overlooked, despite posing real danger.”

She added,

“We need to rethink how we communicate heat risk, especially with the elderly who are mostly digital exclusive. Alerts must be clearer, more relevant and more actionable, especially for those most vulnerable, if they are to prevent avoidable deaths.”

The research, entitled The heat is on: Understanding public responses to heat-health alerts in England, co-authored by Dr Mehri Khosravi, Angela Afua Assan, and Dr Gloria Osei, is published in Energy Research & Social Science.

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Journal

Energy Research & Social Science

DOI

10.1016/j.erss.2026.104685 

Method of Research

Survey

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

The heat is on: Understanding public responses to heat-health alerts in England

 

New technology helps flat-faced dogs breathe easy

Australian scientists have developed an injectable therapy that helps clear blocked airways in flat-faced dogs

RMIT University

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Pugtato the Pug and Piglet the French Bulldog both showed significant improvement in breathing and exercise ability after the Snoretox-1 treatment as part of the initial small-scale trial.

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Credit: RMIT

Australian scientists have developed an injectable therapy that helps clear blocked airways in flat-faced dogs. 

Biotechnology company Snoretox and RMIT University have shown early success using the first therapy from a new technology, known as Snoretox-1.  

The collaboration tested the therapy on bulldogs with breathing difficulties caused by a common condition in flat-faced dogs that restricts airflow, known as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).  

Almost half of all Pugs, French and British Bulldogs are affected, impacting their ability to breathe, eat, exercise and sleep, according to Snoretox Managing Director and RMIT Adjunct Professor Tony Sasse.  

“Decades of selective breeding for the popular flat-faced appearance have unfortunately led to serious breathing problems,” he said.  

“In severe cases, the condition has been shown to shorten a dog’s life by up to four years.”  

Successful early results in affected dogs 

The early-stage trial involved six bulldogs with severe symptoms that struggled to complete a three-minute walk but were able to do so far more easily after receiving the patented Snoretox-1 treatment, with noticeably reduced breathing noise and effort.   

The first published results of the study in The Veterinary Journal show how all six dogs displayed visible improvements and were able to complete a brisk walk that was previously difficult.   

Surgery to widen the nostrils and remove excessive throat tissue, along with weight-management strategies, are currently the main treatment options available, but outcomes vary.  

“Research shows that up to 60 per cent of affected dogs still experience breathing problems after surgery, and seven per cent do not survive the procedure,” Sasse said.   

Sasse said the bulldog trial results suggested a possible combination with, or alternative to, surgery.  

“We also observed improvements in dogs that had not responded well to previous surgery,” he said.  

“Further research and regulatory approvals are required before the treatment can be offered more widely, but these positive results provide an early indication that we are on the right path.”   

How Snoretox-1 works  

Snoretox-1 is an injectable treatment that uses a modified tetanus toxin to improve the muscle tone in the floor of the dog’s mouth, helping keep the airway open.  

The technology has been in development for over 15 years in collaboration with RMIT School of Science biotechnologist Professor Peter Smooker.   

“In short-snouted breeds, the soft tissue in the upper airway hasn't adapted to the shorter skull. This leaves excess tissue crowded into a smaller space, where can obstruct airflow,” he said.  

“The therapy strengthens the muscles at the front of the airway, helping support the throat and maintain airflow during breathing.” 

The treatment combines a targeting component with a tiny dose of the therapeutic agent to safely increase muscle tone in the airway. The technology may also have future applications in other conditions involving weak muscle tone, although the current focus is on veterinary use.  

“This product has platform potential for a range of conditions in both animals and humans,” Sasse said.   

“From a regulatory approvals perspective, it makes sense to start with these animal applications, but we are keeping the bigger picture of wider applications in animals and humans in mind.”  

Impact-focused research  

RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Distinguished Professor Calum Drummond AO said the technology was an example of RMIT’s commitment to research impact.  

“This project is focused on making a real difference to animals, with the potential for broader impact in the future,” he said.   

Professor Russell Conduit, who is part of the team from RMIT’s School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, said the findings also point to future applications beyond veterinary care such as such as obstructive sleep apnoea, incontinence and pelvic floor disorders for humans.   

“This is exciting evidence to support human drug trials for conditions involving poor muscle tone.” Conduit said.  

The research was supported by Australian Research Council Linkage (ARC) grants, Medical Research Future Fund Frontier Round 1 (MRFF), Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) and RMIT Enabling Impact Platform funding.  

The team also recognises Pug Rescue & Adoption Victoria, and its founder Joanna Herceg, for their contribution to the trial and ongoing dedication to pug welfare more brioadly.

‘Clinical observations of tetanus toxin plus decoy, Snoretox-1, a novel targeted neuromuscular stimulant, in a pilot study of 6 British bulldogs with BOAS’ is published in The Veterinary Journal (DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106636). 

Almost half of all Pugs, French and British Bulldogs are affected by BOAS, impacting their ability to breathe, eat, exercise and sleep.

Credit

RMIT

Journal

The Veterinary Journal

DOI

10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106636 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Clinical observations of tetanus toxin plus decoy, Snoretox-1, a novel targeted neuromuscular stimulant, in a pilot study of 6 British bulldogs with BOAS