Data/Statistics and Ongoing Research on the Respiratory System

Yesterday, we looked at one specific part of the respiratory system, which was the bronchial. It was confirmed that bronchial can be replaced with arterial allograft. Today, we are going to look at some interesting numbers and ongoing research about the respiratory system.

We all know that the major organ in the respiratory system would be the lungs. Did you ever wonder how many lung transplants happens in a year? Well, I did some research, and the largest number of lung transplants happened in 2007, which was 1,468 ("Number of U.S. Transplants Per Year, 1988-2008"). 

Did you know that the surface area of the lungs is approximately the same size as a tennis court? ("Respiratory - Amazing Facts")

Did you also know that a person at rest usually breathes between 12 and 15 times per minute? ("Respiratory - Amazing Facts")

Besides data and statistics about the respiratory system, I found an interesting ongoing research about the respiratory system. 

On April 4, 2012, Carolyn Herbert posted up a science article named "X-rays shed new light on lung function." Australian researchers found a new technique for assessing lung function using x-rays (Herbert). Basically, they found a way to look at the anatomy of the respiratory system in the human body. According to the article, Herbert says that this may permit earlier detection of lung diseases. This x-ray device can check to see if that person is going to get a lung disease. Dubsky and his team made this 4D imaging and uses an x-ray source to make movies of the breathing lung (Herbert).  They did experiments on animals, such as mice, but never did it on a human being. Their question to themselves are, "Is 4D imaging safe for use on humans?" (Herbert) As of now, they are still experimenting on this 4D imaging technique for human beings. They estimated that a product for patients will be available within five years, which is in 2017 (Herbert). 

Personally, I hope that these Australian researchers create this x-ray to check our lung function. The reason why is because both sides of my family have asthma. If they create this device, it will benefit not only me, but it will benefit everyone around the world who are having respiratory problems.

Were you interested in the data and statistics that I provided for you? Do you have a friend or family member who has a problem with their respiratory system? Do you think the Australian researchers will be successful creating the 4D imaging x-ray? Why or why not? Leave your questions and/or comments below and I will get to it as soon as I can!

Works Cited:

Herbert, Carolyn. "X-rays shed new light on lung function." ABC.net.au. N.p., 4 Apr. 

2012. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. 

<http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/04/04/3470282.htm>

"Number of U.S. Transplants Per Year, 1988–2008." Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, 

Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework 

help. | Infoplease.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. 

<http://www.infoplease.com/science/health/us-transplants-year-1988-2007.html>.

"Respiratory - Amazing Facts."District_Homepage_Index. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. 

<http://warriors.warren.k12.il.us/dburke/amazingfactsrespiratory.htm>.