The first new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years is a drug already available—and it’s 4x more effective than steroid tablets.

Treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which contributed to Sinead O'Connor's death last year, has been "stuck in the 20th century." But no longer, says Dr. Sanjay Ramakrishnan of the University of Western Australia,

Every 30 seconds, someone in the world will experience a flare-up of their asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms. For decades, the standard treatment for these potentially life-threatening episodes has remained unchanged—treatment with steroids,