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In two thousand four, GINA released a report called "The Global Burden of Asthma." The group said asthma is a growing problem in both industrial and developing countries. It estimated that there may be an additional one hundred million people with asthma by the year twenty twenty-five.

BOB DOUGHTY: GINA says there are many things that people can do to control their asthma.

People should know the causes of their asthma symptoms and try to avoid these triggers. For example, seek to avoid animal hair, dust, pollen and cigarette smoke.

Some people may need to take medicines before they work hard or exercise.

Asthma patients should work with their doctors to control the disorder. They should go to the doctor for medical examinations even if they are feeling fine. They should make sure they understand how and when to take their medicines. They also should act quickly to treat asthma attacks and know when to seek medical help.

The Global Initiative for Asthma urges governments and health officials to do more to improve asthma control. GINA hopes to reduce asthma hospitalization by fifty percent by the year twenty fifteen.

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SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: There is also new research that offers hope to asthma sufferers. Researchers say they have developed a vaccine that protects against one of the most common allergens, dust. They say the vaccine tricks the body into not overreacting to dust. It does this by producing dust mite proteins on its own. Results of the study are to be published in the journal Human Gene Therapy.

The researchers in France used asthmatic mice to test the vaccine. They are now seeking approval to do future studies involving human patients.

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BOB DOUGHTY: This SCIENCE IN THE NEWS was written by June Simms, who was also our producer. I'm Bob Doughty.

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: And I'm Shirley Griffith. Visit us at 51voa.com, where you can find transcripts and MP3s of our reports. Join us again next week for SCIENCE IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.