A new study on cocaine has found a way the drug breaks down proteins in the body, which could be used to detect it in biofluids for weeks or months. The research contributes to a more comprehensive picture of cocaine's toxic effects and may lead to improved tests for its detection.
A study by researchers from The University of Akron found that increased spirituality in teens undergoing substance abuse treatment is linked to greater likelihood of abstinence, positive social behaviors, and reduced narcissism. This shift was strongest among teens who reported a spiritual identity at discharge.
A study found that Twitter is used by individuals and organizations involved in clinical toxicology and poison control to share information on diagnosis, management, and conferences. The audit yielded 51 relevant accounts with an average of 1,084 followers.
A recent study by Vandenberg et al. found that bisphenol A (BPA) has significant effects on humans at incredibly low doses, often ten to forty times lower than previous toxicology studies. This new understanding of BPA's impact on human health and wildlife highlights the need for stricter regulations.
The study found that the EPA accepted only 23% of OSRI submissions, leading to the use of thousands of animals in unnecessary testing. The authors urge the EPA to standardize its evaluation procedures and support the use of existing data to reduce animal use.
Researchers have identified a new way to relieve pain in dogs with bone cancer, using a single spinal injection of neurotoxin. The treatment showed promise in reducing pain levels, offering an alternative to more aggressive approaches like amputation and chemotherapy.
UC Irvine scientists have identified a key molecular gateway for the botulinum neurotoxin, which can be blocked by inhibitor molecules to prevent the toxin from entering the bloodstream. The discovery provides a vital first step toward a pharmaceutical intervention and could lead to preventive treatments for botulism.
The invasive zebra mussel is unaffected by blue-green algae toxins, which may be harming native Unio mussels. This resilience allows the zebra mussel to outcompete and dominate freshwater ecosystems, posing significant costs to industries.
A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Riverside found that selenium, a naturally occurring metal, has toxic effects on honey bees. The study reveals that organic forms of selenium alter protein conformation and cause developmental problems, while inorganic forms cause oxidative stress.
A new study found that prenatal cocaine exposure is associated with lower gray matter volume in key brain regions involved in emotion, reward, memory, and executive function. This can increase the likelihood of initiating substance use by up to 83.6%, highlighting the need for a long-term perspective on the risks.
Researchers found that a less reactive form of titanium dioxide, rutile, is easier to wash off and causes less skin damage than the more common anatase form. This discovery aims to produce safer cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.
Researchers found that tempol, an anti-oxidant drug, reduces weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. The drug targets the gut microbiome, specifically reducing Lactobacillus levels and increasing tauro-beta-muricholic acid, which inhibits FXR and regulates metabolism.
A new Dartmouth study reveals toxic metals from an open-pit mine in Maine's Goose Pond estuary are spreading into nearby sediment, water, and fish, affecting the regional marine food web. Elevated levels of copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead were found, posing a potential health risk to humans who consume seafood from these areas.
The University of California, San Francisco will conduct multidisciplinary research to inform the FDA's regulation of tobacco products. The UCSF center will focus on seven areas, including risk perceptions and cardiovascular effects, to develop evidence-based policies to curb the global tobacco epidemic.
Research in Costa Rica found that pesticide use in banana plantations is contaminating protected conservation areas, affecting spectacled caiman species. The study highlights the need for improved regulatory infrastructure to mitigate pesticide damage to aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers investigate toxicology of alternate fuels, finding emissions from biodiesel vehicles are less mutagenic than petroleum-based diesel. The symposium also discusses human health effects of biofuels and engine changes with changing fuels.
The Entomological Society of America recognized Elina Lastro Niño, Kumaran Nagalingam, Lisa Overall, and Paul Michael Bardunias with various awards for their research and contributions to the field of entomology. The winners were announced at the 2013 ESA meeting.
A recent study by Eva Maria Putz and colleagues at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna has found that phosphorylation of a specific serine residue (ser-727) in the STAT1 protein regulates natural killer cell cytotoxicity. This regulation is crucial for tumor surveillance and preventing cancer development.
A new method uses a combination of techniques to detect genetic variations that initiate colon cancer. The technique achieved high sensitivity and was able to detect APC variations in 41 out of 80 samples, including previously unknown variations.
A structural defect in skin cells, specifically desmoglein 1, contributes to allergy development, including skin and food allergies. This finding could lead to a better understanding of the importance of other structural proteins in the skin barrier.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that inhibiting an enzyme can dramatically reduce tumor growth and aggressiveness in cancer cells. The study sheds light on the importance of lipids in cancer development and suggests a promising new target for cancer therapy.
Researchers used X-ray crystallography to visualize how brominated flame retardants bind to proteins like estrogens, potentially disrupting the body's natural hormones. The study sheds light on the effects of flame retardants on human health and provides insights for developing safer alternatives.
Researchers found that flavonoids in celery, artichokes and Mexican oregano can kill human pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting the GSK-3β enzyme. This pre-treatment approach may prolong life without curing the disease, while preventing it could reduce cancer risk with chronic flavonoid exposure.
Calabrese's research reveals how the linear no-threshold dose-response approach was adopted despite experimental support for a threshold model. He accuses two geneticists of suppressing evidence to prevent consideration of an alternative model.
A study by Karoline Kollmann and colleagues reveals CDK6's role in regulating tumour growth while also promoting blood vessel formation. The researchers found that a mutant form of CDK6 retains its ability to regulate expression despite losing kinase function.
Researchers aim to prevent diabetes-related damage to blood vessels in the retina by modulating the arginase enzyme. By stabilizing arginase levels, they hope to restore a healthy relationship between enzymes and reduce oxidative stress. This new approach may not only protect sight but also have broader benefits for cardiovascular health.
Researchers have found pesticides commonly used in California's agricultural regions contaminating Pacific Tree Frogs in remote mountain areas, including national parks. The detection of pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, and simazine highlights the potential long-term impact on biodiversity.
Three commonly used pesticides were found to be toxic to honeybees, even at sublethal doses. These pesticides modulated key enzymes that regulate physiological processes, affecting cognitive capacities and immune responses in bees.
Researchers have developed two compounds that show promise as safer alternatives to acetaminophen, reducing the risk of liver damage. The new substances have a similar architecture to acetaminophen but are non-toxic to liver cells grown in the laboratory.
A study published in Chemical Research in Toxicology reveals that cigarette smoke affects key genes protecting the heart and lungs, leading to increased risk of heart disease in obese smokers. Cigarette smoke exposure also amplifies this effect in non-smoking obese individuals who inhale second-hand smoke.
Researchers found that consuming soy peptide lunasin orally reduced the number of metastatic tumors in mice with human colon cancer cells. The highest dose of 20 mg/kg of lunasin achieved a 94% reduction in tumors, showing promise for new cancer treatment approaches.
A study published in The FASEB Journal found that moderate paternal exposures, such as cigarette smoking, increase the number of mutations transmitted to children and potentially future generations. DNA mutations were more frequent in families with low-income fathers who smoked cigarettes.
Yinsheng Wang, a UC Riverside professor of chemistry, has received the prestigious Biemann Medal for his significant contributions to mass spectrometry. The award recognizes his work on DNA damage and anti-tumor drugs, highlighting the importance of mass spectrometry in understanding genetic information.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have discovered a liver enzyme that protects cells from bilirubin damage, paving the way for new treatments for jaundice. The enzyme helps remove bilirubin and prevent liver cell death, offering hope for alternative therapies.
Scientists identify five epigenetic biomarkers associated with better weight loss response in obese adolescents participating in the EVASYON weight loss program. These biomarkers may help predict an individual's response to weight loss intervention and offer therapeutic targets for enhancing its effects.
Researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have found an innovative drug combination that targets the stubborn CLL cells. The combination of gossypol and navitoclax has shown to be effective in killing CLL cells, offering a new hope for patients with this disease.
A national study on nanomaterial toxicity has provided comparable health risk data, enabling regulators to develop policies to protect workers and consumers. The researchers found that carbon nanotubes caused inflammation in the lower regions of the lung, but made them less hazardous by modifying their structure.
Researchers used computer simulations to investigate the energy landscape of ion channels, identifying a critical amino acid that regulates their function. The study provides new insights into ion channel mechanisms, which are essential for developing targeted therapies.
Researchers have discovered health defects in Gulf killifish embryos exposed to sediments from oiled locations, including heart defects and delayed hatching. The findings may predict longer-term impacts on killifish populations and highlight the potential risks for other species sharing similar habitats.
A study published in Obesity found that the body's internal clock regulates hunger, increasing appetite for sweet, starchy and salty foods in the evenings. This natural tendency can lead to weight gain due to impaired sugar tolerance and energy storage in the evening, rather than expending energy after a morning meal.
A small pilot study found that 22% of participants in a hydrofracking-heavy area in Bradford County, PA, believe that natural gas operations may be causing their health problems. The most common symptoms reported were sinus problems, sleeping difficulties, and gastrointestinal issues.
Scientists decode a 'toggle switch' in mice that significantly stimulates fat burning by converting white fat cells into brown fat cells, potentially combating obesity.
Research by NC State University scientists found pesticide exposure causes more male offspring and reproductive problems in female Daphnia, a keystone species impacting population dynamics. Exposure levels as low as 71 nanograms per liter had significant impacts on reproductive health.
Researchers have developed a new approach to testing the health and environmental effects of nanoparticles, taking into account their unique properties. The study's findings highlight the need for revised nanotoxicology tests that consider factors such as size and composition.
Research published in The FASEB Journal found that sildenafil promotes healthy expansion and browning of white adipose tissue. This is achieved through the inhibition of cyclic GMP breakdown, which reduces pro-inflammatory hormones and shifts fat storage to 'brown' type.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine has identified DNA-damaging toxins in commonly consumed plant-based foods, including liquid smoke flavoring, black and green teas, and coffee. The toxins, pyrogallol and gallic acid, can activate the p53 gene, which is associated with cancer.
Scientists developed a cell-based alternative test that uses mouse skin cells in the laboratory to detect skin sensitisers. The test was found to be highly accurate, correctly identifying actual sensitizers in 92% of cases and producing no false positives.
Infant girls exposed to high levels of DDT while pregnant are three times more likely to develop hypertension as adults. Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease, which claims millions of lives worldwide.
Researchers found that certain bacteria in the stomach microflora can change the response to Helicobacter pylori infection, potentially allowing for prediction of disease development and identification of potential probiotics. The study, published in Infection and Immunity, has implications for treating human infections.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have validated a questionnaire to assess youth participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)-related helping activities. The Service to Others in Sobriety (SOS) questionnaire shows promise in identifying youths at risk of relapse and promoting recovery.
Renowned scientists at South Carolina College of Pharmacy, John Lemasters and Rick Schnellmann, have received national recognition from the Society of Toxicology for their groundbreaking work in toxicology research and education. The awards recognize their significant contributions to advancing our understanding of toxicology and promo...
IBN researchers successfully generated human kidney cells from human embryonic stem cells in vitro, providing a potentially unlimited source of cells for in vitro toxicology testing and regenerative medicine applications. The cells displayed similar gene and protein expression patterns to those isolated from fresh human kidney samples.
A study found that some organic cheeses in Spain have higher concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) than recommended by the EU. The presence of these toxins has been linked to health risks such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
Efforts to reduce lead pollution have been largely successful, but the problem persists due to new industrial inputs and consumer product contamination. Blood lead levels remain high, with no known threshold for toxicity, posing ongoing health risks to people and animals worldwide.
A new study finds that bacteria in the large intestine can deconjugate masked mycotoxins, releasing toxic forms of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone. The findings suggest that these toxins should be considered when evaluating population exposure.
Research found Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have a higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage before age 45 compared to non-Hispanic whites. The study revealed that Native Hawaiians were 54 years old when they had a hemorrhagic stroke, whereas non-Hispanic whites were 68 years old, highlighting the disparity in vascular health.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have discovered a sirtuin protein that can reverse age-related degeneration in mice by rejuvenating aged blood stem cells. The study provides new hope for targeted treatments for age-related diseases and opens up possibilities for a 'molecular fountain of youth'.
Research finds that exposure to certain plastics and hydrocarbons can cause reproductive diseases and obesity in descendants, leading to epigenetic inheritance. The study identifies nearly 200 molecular markers for exposure and disease, paving the way for diagnostic tools and new therapies.
A recent study found that residents in a rural Chinese village near an e-waste recycling site are 1.6 times more likely to develop lung cancer than their peers in a heavily polluted city. The study, conducted by Oregon State University researchers, highlights the risks of toxic air pollution from e-waste incineration.
A study has identified two enzymes elevated in prediabetes that could lead to new therapies for vascular complications and help predict who is at risk of developing diabetes. Elevated arginase and indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase trigger a stress response that damages blood vessels and immune cells.