Environmental Factor - April 2018

Environmental Factor - April 2018

April 2018 The April 2018 Environmental Factor offers stories on new findings and methodological advances shared by NIEHS and National Toxicology Program (NTP) scientists at the Society of Toxicology annual meeting; recommendations of an expert panel that evaluated NTP draft reports on tumors in rats and mice exposed to cell phone radiofrequency radiation; and insights reported by Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., from Harvard, based on her studies of stem cells in skin. We hope there is something for everyone among these and other environmental health science news stories. Feedback is always welcome.

Many NIEHS and NTP advances shared at 2018 SOT NIEHS and NTP scientists shared new findings and methodological advances in approximately 100 presentations at the Society of Toxicology meeting. NTP cell phone studies — experts recommend elevated conclusions An expert panel recommended the National Toxicology Program indicate stronger evidence that cell phone radiofrequency radiation caused tumors in rats. Stem cells in skin featured in distinguished lecture Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., discussed the importance of skin stem cells during her Distinguished Lecture Series talk.

New North Carolina endocrine disruptor group meets at NIEHS The first meeting of Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Research in North Carolina tackled chemicals’ role in human and ecological health. New research approaches target gene-environment interactions A special issue of the journal Mammalian Genome looks to genetics for reasons why people respond differently to environmental stressors. Breast cancer link to environment highlighted at symposium NIEHS-supported researchers discussed environmental factors linked to breast cancer at a Duke University symposium. Measuring autoimmunity in America NIEHS clinical researcher Fred Miller discussed the increase in autoimmune diseases in the U.S., and the research to better understand why. Oncologist takes on early-onset colorectal cancer Oncologist Thomas Weber discussed the rise of early-onset colorectal cancer and suggested environmental factors may play a role. Honors for Guilarte and Richards at Society of Toxicology meeting The Society of Toxicology honored NIEHS grantee Tomas Guilarte, Ph.D., from Florida International University, and grad student researcher Alicia Richards. Karletta Chief featured in Science Friday film NIEHS grantee Karletta Chief is featured in “Breakthrough: Bitter Water,” a film by Science Friday and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Imprinted genes and the environment discussed by Susiarjo Martha Susiarjo researches imprinted genes and how their interactions with environmental chemicals can affect maternal and fetal health. Birnbaum speaks at allergy, asthma, immunology meeting Linda Birnbaum delivered a keynote address at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting. Pi Day at NIEHS features citizen science On Pi Day, the NIEHS Office of Data Science hosted a seminar on citizen science, complemented with delicious pies. Ferguson examines phthalate–preterm birth link in public webinar NIEHS epidemiologists Kelly Ferguson and Amy Padula presented a free webinar exploring links between chemical exposures and preterm birth. Congressional briefing on neurological diseases and the environment Congressional staffers were briefed March 8 on scientific findings about connections between neurological diseases and the environment. Extramural papers of the month  •    Fracking chemicals linked to breast tissue changes •    PFAS exposure linked to body weight regulation •    Toxin formed during oxidative water treatment process •    Legionnaires’ disease linked to Flint drinking water change Intramural papers of the month  •    NTP-led team creates sentinel gene set for exposures studies •    Molecular crosstalk in the ribosomal RNA processing complex •    Particulates in air pollution associated with chronic bronchitis •    Acetylcholine plays key role in regulating memory formation •    Metal change in superoxide dismutase 2 promotes oxidative stress