The NIH is evaluating seven widely used plasticizers for their potential reproductive and developmental effects. A panel of scientific experts will meet to assess the chemicals' impact on human health.
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) is hosting a public meeting to review its report on carcinogens and gather feedback from interested parties. Written and oral comments can be submitted until September 15, with the goal of informing the review process for the 10th edition of the Report on Carcinogens.
A genetic trait has been found to predispose people to Gulf War syndrome, a condition where veterans of the war may have gotten ill from chemical exposures. The study reveals that people with high levels of a specific enzyme did not get sick, while those with low levels did.
Researchers may consider a new concept proposing the immune system responds only to foreign substances causing damage, rather than traditional views. This approach could lead to better understanding of hypersensitivity reactions and development of predictive tests for drug interactions.
Researchers found that melatonin reacts with peroxynitrite-derived free radicals, forming compounds similar to brain signaling chemicals. These metabolites could impact aspects of behavior, such as mood, with unclear consequences for human health.
A recent UB study found that women eating Lake Ontario fish have higher levels of PCBs and pesticides in their breast milk than non-fish-eaters. The study, conducted on lactating women in the New York State Angler Cohort, shows a decline in toxicant concentrations with increasing number of children and time spent breastfeeding.
The completion of a high-density integrated genetic linkage and radiation hybrid map for the laboratory rat is a landmark in genomic science. The maps provide an integrated reference to more than 3,000 genes and ESTs, enabling researchers to connect disorders to their underlying genetic components.
Research found that pollutants in house dust, such as PAHs, can enhance the inhibitory effect of chlorpyrifos on cholinesterase, a critical enzyme for nerve cell function. The study suggests that exposure to these pollutants may increase pesticide toxicity, posing health risks to humans.
A new NTP Center for Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction will assess the potential reproductive risks of seven phthalates found in consumer products. The center aims to fill knowledge gaps on their contribution to declining sperm counts, birth defects, and developmental problems.
A new cleanup system called Anodic Fenton Treatment (AFT) can clean up waste water from pesticides and textile processing on-site in just two to three minutes. The AFT process uses two electrochemical half-cells to produce hydroxyl radicals that break down unwanted chemicals, producing safe water for disposal.
Researchers found that chromium picolinate causes DNA breakage, potentially leading to genetic mutations and cancer. The study's findings highlight the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of chromium picolinate supplementation.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that intensive hog operations are disproportionately located in poor and non-white communities across North Carolina. The research, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' Environmental Justice Program, analyzed data from 1998 and 1990 to show that...
Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University have identified a key brain peptide, orphanin, that regulates the body's inner clock and controls the circadian rhythm. The discovery opens new avenues for understanding sleep disorders and natural light cycles.
A Cornell University study suggests that chelation therapy used to treat lead poisoning in children may have adverse effects on the developing immune system. The therapy, DMSA, was found to impair immune function in offspring of pregnant rats who received the treatment during pregnancy.
A new detoxification method using titanium dioxide and light has been developed to destroy potentially deadly microcystins found in drinking water. The method is quicker and more effective than current methods, but further testing is needed to confirm its safety.
A commonly used sunscreen ingredient, PBSA, can damage DNA when exposed to sunlight, according to a recent study. The research suggests that this could lead to increased risk of developing skin cancer if similar damage occurs within skin cells.
Aromatic amines, used in industrial processes, have been detected in human milk, raising concerns about breast cancer risk and infant exposure. The study's findings suggest that breast ductal epithelial cells are also exposed to these substances, highlighting the need for further investigation.
Researchers at Duke University have identified 31 genes that react to cadmium exposure, including 22 previously unknown genes. These findings offer new insights into the toxic effects of cadmium and potential biomarkers for monitoring contamination.
Researchers at NIEHS and U.C. Davis have identified a key protein involved in sperm-egg fusion, paving the way for new approaches to family planning and infertility diagnosis. A vaccine targeting this protein may provide women with a non-hormonal means of birth control.
This September/October 1998 issue of Public Health Reports explores the intersection of neuroscience and early childhood policy, as well as indoor air quality. Scientific contributions include studies on community-based nutrition campaigns, surveillance of injuries, and mortality due to unintentional injuries in the Netherlands.
A new study found that children retain more simulated air pollution per unit of lung surface area than adults, suggesting they are more susceptible to illnesses caused by polluted air. Researchers will extend their studies to exercising volunteers to further understand the effects of particulate air pollution on children.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to reduce atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits, eliminating some fat already present. The Wistar Institute, established in 1892, is making history through its development of vaccines and discovery of molecules helping the immune system fight diseases.
Scientists have identified a new family of insecticidal toxins produced by Photorhabdus luminescens, which are active against a wide range of insects and at least as potent as Bt. The discovery holds promise for the future of natural pest control, particularly in the face of increasing resistance to Bt.
A comprehensive review article by Stephen S. Hecht summarizes the biochemistry, biology, and carcinogenicity of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, linking them to lung cancer formation. The article highlights the importance of understanding these compounds for developing effective chemoprevention strategies and targeted prevention methods.
Researchers at Penn State aim to protect crops by targeting insect taste buds, which are a direct connection between the central nervous system and the outside. By identifying chemicals that stimulate or suppress feeding behavior, scientists hope to develop more effective control methods for corn rootworm pests.
Researchers have discovered reproductive and hormonal problems in alligators from Lake Okeechobee, similar to those found in the highly polluted Lake Apopka. The study suggests that environmental toxicants can affect thyroid function and growth in animals.
Researchers found that rats receiving ginkgo biloba extract learned quicker and made fewer errors in learning tasks, with an average lifespan of five months longer than control animals. The study suggests that the extract may have a positive effect on longevity beyond its purported benefits on brain function.
Scientists have discovered a new bacterium, Photorhabdus luminescens, with a toxin effective against a broad range of insect pests. The bacteria can be used as a spray or fed directly to insects, and its genetic material has been licensed for use in crop plants.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a novel biochemical mechanism for carbon monoxide poisoning that may lead to new clinical approaches. The study reveals that CO binds to heme proteins, usurping nitric oxide and leading to tissue-damaging oxidants and free radicals.
Chernobyl wildlife exhibits genetic change but no apparent defects, suggesting less severe environmental damage than feared. The area's abundant species thrive in a largely abandoned landscape.
Preliminary tests indicate that years of consuming PCB- and DDE-contaminated fish have had no negative effects on fine motor skills. A comprehensive study is ongoing to examine the effects of environmental contaminants on older people.
Researchers at White River Junction Veterans Administration Medical Center and Dartmouth Medical School have found that more than one protein plays a major role in making acetaminophen toxic to the liver of rats administered alcohol. The study identified CYP3A as another culprit that may cause even more liver damage in individuals who ...
Researchers found that genetic variations in enzymes metabolizing drugs contribute to cancer risk, particularly head and neck cancer. Individuals with certain enzyme genotypes or histories of environmental exposures are at increased risk for cancer.
Coral reefs face an alarming decline due to unknown causes, including coral bleaching and diseases. The loss of these ecosystems could have severe consequences for thousands of species and the global economy.
A recent study published by Duke researchers has found that the toxic marine organism Pfiesteria piscicida causes severe learning impairment in rats. The toxin was shown to affect spatial learning, with injected rats performing poorly on new tasks even after training had begun.
A University of Georgia researcher's study found that many PCBs in the environment may not be as carcinogenic as previously believed. The project aimed to re-evaluate the toxicity of PCBs based on new scientific information and changes in cancer classification.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new test for detecting DNA strand breakage in freshwater mussels, which can serve as an early warning system for pollution. The study found significant strand breakage in mussels exposed to lead, but no damage after long-term exposure.
The U.S. Geological Survey detected MTBE in urban stormwater samples from 16 cities, with concentrations below the EPA's health advisory limit. In New England, MTBE was detected in 24% of ground-water samples, also at low levels.
Two USGS studies investigate endocrine disruption in carp, finding significant differences in sex steroid hormones and vitellogenin across regions. Pesticide concentrations were also detected in higher levels in certain waterways, raising concerns about the impact of environmental contaminants on fish populations.
Researchers at Duke University found that harmless doses of DEET, permethrin, and pyridostigmine bromide become highly toxic when used together. This combination may explain the wide range of symptoms reported by an estimated 30,000 Gulf War veterans.