Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

Urine test may predict COPD exacerbations 1 week in advance

A urine test developed in a dipstick format by Global Access Diagnostics helped not only distinguish between stable and exacerbation states among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients but also was able to predict exacerbations a week in advance. That’s according to the results of a new study…

Lung inflammation in COPD is reduced with a form of vitamin B3

Oral supplementation with nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B3, helped reduce markers of lung inflammation in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), data from a placebo-controlled study shows. The benefits were sustained for at least three months after supplementation ended. These findings are “significant, because inflammation…

FDA approves Dupixent for adults with poorly controlled COPD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Dupixent (dupilumab) as an add-on maintenance treatment for adults with poorly controlled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and high counts of immune cells called eosinophils. Elevated eosinophils are a marker of type 2 inflammation, which is thought to contribute…

Mepolizumab reduces exacerbations in COPD with type 2 inflammation

Adding GSK’s mepolizumab to standard inhaled treatment reduces the frequency of moderate to severe exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with type 2 inflammation, which contributes to lung inflammation. That’s according to top-line data from a Phase 3 clinical trial called MATINEE (NCT04133909) announced by GSK…

Plant-based diet may halve emphysema risk for young smokers

Young adults who smoke or have smoked may halve their risk of developing emphysema — a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — by eating a nutritionally rich, plant-based diet, a new U.S. study suggests. The study, “A Plant-Centered Diet is Inversely Associated With Radiographic Emphysema: Findings…