An online self-management tool for people with asthma has been shown to significantly improve their ability to reduce their symptoms. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Respiratory Research tested the system in 200 adults with asthma, finding significant effects in those whose asthma was either partly controlled or uncontrolled at the beginning of the trial...

 'This study adds to existing evidence supporting the hygiene hypothesis, which states that early exposure to potential allergens results in a reduced risk of asthma and allergy development...

 'There is now a wealth of research indicating that a person's diet can contribute to their risk of developing asthma and allergies, most likely as a result of their antioxidant, lipid and vitamin E intake...

 Revotar Biopharmaceuticals AG / Revotar Biopharmaceuticals AG Starts Phase II Clinical Trial in COPD Patients with inhaled Bimosiamose processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement...

 'Over three quarters of people with asthma also have a doctor-diagnosed allergy, which can often trigger their asthma symptoms and impact on their daily lives. We are therefore excited about the potential of this ground-breaking vaccine to make a real difference to people with asthma and allergies, especially as it has been shown in clinical trials to have relatively few side effects...

 'The results of this long-term study are exciting and suggest that, in principle, it is possible to protect high risk children from developing asthma by minimising their exposure to allergens...

 Dr Elaine Vickers, Research Relations Manager at Asthma UK, says: 'This large study has probed deeper into the relationship between asthma and diet...

 'There is now a broad spectrum of evidence which suggests that the pre-natal environment, including factors such as family history and the mother's diet during pregnancy, can influence whether or not a child will go on to develop asthma or allergy symptoms...

 'There is substantial evidence linking asthma to the use of cleaning sprays, chlorine bleach and disinfectants at work, although further research is needed to understand the processes involved and how many people are at risk...