Research suggests that lipid biomarkers in urine may be used to determine the type of asthma. However, it is unclear if this is a new development or a specific application of broader research into biomarkers, as related studies are also exploring the use of biomarkers for other conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The potential for urine tests to identify asthma types and severity is being discussed, but the scope and details of this specific application are not entirely clear.