NPR

Experimental Lung Treatment Could Make Breathing Easier

Lung surfactant coats tiny air sacs in the lung. Without it, every breath is a struggle, like blowing up millions of little balloons. With surfactant, breathing is as easy as blowing soap bubbles.
An image from an electron microscope shows a type II alveolar cell, found in the air sacs of lungs. In the cell's cytoplasm (pink) are lamellar bodies (purple), which contain surfactant.

An engineer in California has an invention that she hopes will someday help people with damaged lungs breathe easier.

Stanford University's has developed a synthetic version of something called lung surfactant. Lung surfactant coats the tiny air sacs in the lung. Without

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR4 min read
On 'Here In The Pitch,' Jessica Pratt's Pop Seduces Listeners Into A Los Angeles Noir
The singer-songwriter's fourth album is her best yet, with crisp, commanding songwriting, shades of '60s baroque pop and melodies that seem to have existed forever.
NPR3 min read
Houston Area Braces For Flooding To Worsen Following Storms
A flood watch remained in effect through Sunday afternoon as forecasters predicted additional rainfall Saturday night, bringing another 1 to 3 inches of water to the soaked region.
NPR5 min readInternational Relations
Campus Protests Over The War In Gaza Have Gone International
Students in the U.K., France and Mexico have sought to erect what many of them call "solidarity encampments," prompting a variety of responses from university authorities and local law enforcement.

Related Books & Audiobooks