Children's lung development is slowed due to air pollution, according to a comprehensive study. Lung function growth rates were 10% lower in the most polluted community compared to cleaner areas, with effects also observed in asthmatic and healthy children.
A study of 18,244 Chinese males found that consuming cruciferous vegetables like broccoli was protective against lung cancer. The benefit depends on genetic factors, with subjects lacking the metabolism enzyme GSTM1 showing a 64% decrease in risk of lung cancer.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is hosting a public meeting to discuss possible studies related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. The meeting aims to gather expert advice on the feasibility of conducting research in Vietnam and will coincide with an annual conference of dioxin researchers.
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) will review testing recommendations for future studies on DNA-based therapies, dietary supplements, and occupational chemicals. The agenda includes discussion of DNA-derived vaccines, gene therapies, and radio frequency radiation emissions from cellular phones.
Recent safety studies by the National Toxicology Program will be reviewed by a public meeting on May 18. The studies include chloral hydrate, napthalene, and indium phosphide.
A national survey found that over 45% of US homes have bedding with dust mite allergen concentrations exceeding 2 micrograms per gram of dust, a level associated with allergy development. The study also revealed that 17% of household occupants reported cockroach infestations in the year prior to the study.
A chemoprevention regimen containing myoinositol and dexamethasone has been shown to effectively prevent lung tumors in male mice exposed to cigarette smoke. The regimen worked when given daily during exposure or after the mice had returned to clean air, reducing tumor incidence by nearly 40%.
A study found that prenatal exposure to DDE and PCBs increased the size of children at puberty, with boys growing taller and heavier and some girls becoming heavier for their heights. The findings suggest a potential link between environmental pollutants and childhood growth.
Scientists generate mutant mice with disrupted estrogen receptors, resulting in adult female ovaries transforming into male-like cells. This discovery advances our understanding of the action of estrogen and its role in human fertility and cancer.
The NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction will convene an Expert Panel to review seven phthalate esters. The meeting aims to complete integrated evaluation documents and draft summary statements on the chemicals' developmental and reproductive toxicity.
Research highlights potential causes of autoimmune diseases, including prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals and certain dietary factors. Studies also explore links between ultraviolet radiation, stress, and exposure to heavy metals.
Historically black colleges and universities are partnering with high-tech research-intensive universities for $1 million environmental health grants. The program, called ARCH, aims to strengthen research capabilities at minority-serving institutions, enabling them to conduct competitive research in environmental health sciences.
Scientists have discovered that naturally occurring fatty acids can help prevent vascular inflammation, a key component in the development of atherosclerosis. The NIEHS-cloned gene produces an enzyme that makes these fatty acids, which can suppress inflammation and protect against heart disease.
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.
Fetuses that implant late in the uterus have a higher risk of dying in the first weeks of pregnancy. The study found that if a fertilized egg implanted on or after day 12, it had an increased chance of loss, with risks reaching as high as 82%. Daily urine testing revealed that these lost fetuses tended to implant later than those that ...
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 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that women with birth defects are at a small risk of having children with birth defects, with only 4% of affected offspring. The majority of women with birth defects will have healthy, unaffected babies.
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.
A new animal study suggests that female mice exposed to DES in utero are at higher risk of reproductive tract cancers, while their unexposed offspring show no such increase. This finding indicates a potential transmission of susceptibility to cancer across generations.
A recent international study found that mothers with high lifetime lead exposure may transfer toxic levels of lead to their breastfed infants. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between the amount of lead in the mothers' milk and the corresponding blood lead levels of the infants.
A study by NIEHS found that variations in two genes (NAT1 and NAT2) interact with environmental exposure to tobacco smoke, increasing the risk of bladder cancer. Individuals carrying both at-risk copies of these genes have a tenfold higher risk of developing bladder cancer.
A shellfish toxin study has discovered a mechanism that may help treat cystic fibrosis by stimulating fluid flow through protein phosphatase inhibition. This could lead to loosening of accumulated mucus in the lungs and gut, reducing bacterial infections and early death.
New research from the Ispra, Italy meeting of the Scientific Group on Methodologies for the Safety Evaluation of Chemicals has made significant progress in developing and validating alternative methods to animal testing. These advances aim to reduce animal pain and distress while improving human health protection and environmental prot...
Rising global temperatures could lead to the expansion of dengue fever's geographic range into temperate regions. The mosquito Aedes aegypti's larval size and adult frequency will increase with warmer temperatures, boosting disease transmission.
A two-year study found that moderate air pollution can decrease lung function in adult hikers, even at relatively low ozone concentrations. Hikers with a history of asthma or wheezing experienced more pronounced declines.
A reanalysis of international data reveals a significant decline in sperm density across the United States and Europe, with the rate of decrease varying by region. The study found an average annual decrease of 1.5 million sperm per milliliter in the US and 3.1% per year in Europe.
A recent study suggests that a human gene variation affecting lung enzyme production may be associated with reduced susceptibility to lung cancer. The study found that approximately 8% of the population has the 'protective' gene form, which reduces by about 54% the risk of developing lung cancer among smokers.
Researchers investigate three possible causes: chemicals from agricultural fields, increased UV radiation due to ozone depletion, and parasitic invasions. Preliminary research suggests water from affected ponds and nearby wells may also cause malformations in embryos of Xenopus laevis frogs.
A recent study has found a link between methylmercury exposure in pregnant mothers and neurological delays in 7-year-old children. The research, conducted in the Faroe Islands, used sophisticated neuropsychological and neurophysiological techniques to examine the effects of prenatal mercury exposure on brain development.
Researchers have identified a critical nicotinic receptor in the brain that may contribute to the development of epilepsy, Alzheimer