Common genetic variation safeguards children from asthma

Too much residential traffic removes the protective effect a specific gene has on lowering asthma risk, according to a new USC study.
Children could have zero, one or two copies of a common gene variant.
“Environmental exposures such as traffic-related air pollution can trigger lung inflammation, but the effects depend on genetic background,” said Frank Gilliland, senior author, preventive medicine professor and director of the Division of Environmental Health at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.....

Read more here: scienceblog.com

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Disparity in pediatric asthma education plans found worldwide

Results from an online survey of the national Member Societies of the World Allergy Organization indicated a wide disparity of available allergy materials aimed at children and their parents, according to recent research.....

Read more here: healio.com

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Asthma: An Unrecognized Risk Factor for Shingles

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a painful rash caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, also called the chickenpox virus.
Risk for shingles increases after age 50, and about 30% of US adults who live to age 80 develop it. Only 10% of patients with herpes zoster are significantly immunocompromised, so other factors must influence the risk of virus reactivation.....

Read more here: pharmacytimes.com