Articles tagged with Toxicology
A new study by University of Toronto researchers found high levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in Canadian fast-food packaging, contaminating the food people eat. The study suggests that PFAS can enter the environment through waste streams and never break down, posing significant health risks.
A new study reveals that fluorinated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers can leach PFAS into food, particularly when exposed to temperature changes. The research highlights the potential for significant exposure to hazardous chemicals linked to various health issues.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have localized changes to DNA building blocks altered by tobacco smoke's toxic compounds. These findings suggest a potential method to predict cancer risk and study genetic predispositions.
A new study finds that andiroba oil accelerates wound healing, increases contraction rates, and promotes local re-epithelialization. The oil also presents a similar potential to low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in treating oral mucositis, a common side effect of chemotherapy.
Researchers have discovered that vaping might not be a healthier alternative to smoking, especially in adolescents. EVALI symptoms can mimic those of other respiratory conditions, making diagnosis challenging. Pictorial questionnaires can help identify e-cigarette products used.
A high-throughput analysis of 26 medically important snakes in sub-Saharan Africa reveals the benefits of an integrated approach to understanding their venom composition and function. The study provides a solid foundation for further research on snake biology and antivenom development.
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has been awarded funding for three Collaborative Research Centers in the life sciences, including CRC 1551 and CRC/Transregio 355. The centers will focus on investigating polymer concepts in cellular function and heterogeneity of regulatory T cells in distinct microenvironments.
The German Research Foundation renewed CRC 1361 for an additional four years to explore mechanisms of DNA repair and genome stability. The consortium aims to elucidate how cells safeguard genetic information and promote human health by understanding DNA damage signaling pathways.
A team of scientists has identified three new biomarkers for detecting the consumption of emerging synthetic cannabinoids like OXIZID. These biomarkers will facilitate work by drug enforcement agencies worldwide in monitoring OXIZID abuse, enabling more accurate identification of abusers and potentially preventing overdoses.
An international research team developed an animal-free testing battery to detect developmental neurotoxicity, using human cells instead of animals. The results show that the testing battery is technically feasible and already has a measurement sensitivity comparable to animal experiments.
A research team led by Ivano Amelio found that the protein p53 acts as a key to maintaining genomic stability, preventing cancer-promoting mutations. Without p53, cells become more aggressive and prone to acquire genomic instability.
Exotic snakebites in the UK are increasing, with 321 reported cases over 11 years, mostly affecting children under 5. Most bites result in mild symptoms, but severe cases have occurred, prompting concerns about illegal snake ownership and access to expert advice.
A new PSU study found that vaping cannabinoid acetates leads to the formation of ketene, a toxic gas known to cause vaping-induced lung injury. The study suggests that prolonged exposure to ketene could be particularly hazardous, as it is virtually untraceable in the human body.
Researchers discovered that copper accelerates protein aggregation in Parkinson's disease, forming ring-shaped structures that can be used as therapeutic targets. The study provides new clues to the development of the neurodegenerative disease.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers shows a sharp increase in opioid poisoning cases and sales in Switzerland between 2000 and 2019, with oxycodone being the second most common cause. The rise is similar to that seen in other European countries, but per capita sales are higher in Switzerland.
A new study published in Ecological Applications found that urban density has a stronger correlation with house sparrow health than other environmental factors like light pollution or noise levels. The researchers also discovered high lead levels in the birds' bodies, which could be linked to bioaccumulation from food sources.
A study found that nearly 90% of areas studied had cancer-causing dioxins and PCBs in free-range eggs exceeding EU regulatory food limits. Eggs are a major pathway for human exposure to toxic chemicals, and contaminated sites include industrial waste incinerators and plastic burning sites.
A study found that a methionine-deficient diet alters gene expression and DNA methylation in liver cells, increasing the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A methionine-supplemented diet had the opposite effect, reducing the risk of liver damage.
Researchers investigate microplastic risks using nanotoxicology lessons, standardizing particles for reproducible studies. Scientists aim to replicate real-world situations in lab simulations to understand human gut and lung cell effects.
The number of US children suspected to have attempted suicide by poisoning increased by 26.7% between 2015 and 2020, according to researchers at the University of Virginia Health System. The majority of these cases involved girls, and the age group with the largest increase was children aged 10-12.
Researchers at NIST developed a new, faster, and more accessible method for screening skin allergens without animal testing. The electrophilic allergen screening assay (EASA) achieved similar results to existing methods with 77% agreement rate, paving the way for potential standardization and increased international trade.
Researchers found that maintaining hard water reduces zinc accumulation and oxidative stress in goldfish, mitigating toxic effects. This study provides an eco-friendly approach to address aquatic ecosystem pollution caused by heavy metal contamination.
The Chemical Insights Research Institute has received a prestigious award from the National Institutes of Health to study the link between electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) usage and periodontal disease. The researchers will analyze consumer vaping behavior data and biosamples to identify biomarkers of exposure and injury, aim...
A new study finds that many children's products, including those labeled as water- or stain-resistant, contain harmful PFAS chemicals. The research highlights the need for stricter safety standards in green certifications and retailer accountability to prevent toxic chemical pollution.
Researchers have found that two sugar substitutes, acesulfame potassium and sucralose, inhibit the activity of P-glycoprotein, a vital protein in liver detoxification. This can lead to impaired transport of toxins and drugs, potentially affecting people taking certain medications. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A study has found that lead poisoning from gun ammunition has suppressed the populations of birds of prey across Europe, resulting in a loss of around 55,000 adult birds. The impact is particularly significant for species like eagles and Red Kites, which are long-lived and breed later in life.
Researchers found that exposure to 6PPD-quinone at environmentally relevant levels can be deadly for rainbow and brook trout, but not for Arctic char or white sturgeon. The study suggests possible non-lethal effects on the latter species, warranting further examination.
The study reveals that asbestos minerals undergo changes that resemble self-defense when internalized by human lung cells. These changes include the formation of an iron-rich layer on the minerals, which may be a mechanism to protect the cell from toxicity.
A new study reveals that construction workers are at high risk of tracking multiple toxic metals into their homes, including arsenic, chromium, and lead. The study found a range of factors, such as lack of work lockers and poor hygiene practices, can impact metal concentrations in home dust.
A national study found that states with higher labor underutilization, non-Hispanic white populations, and opioid prescriptions had higher SIM rates. States with centralized medicolegal death investigation systems detected more SIM cases due to toxicologic testing.
A US study found that e-cigarettes were less popular as a smoking cessation aid in 2017 compared to FDA-approved pharmaceuticals. However, researchers did not see any reduction in relapse rates among those who quit using e-cigarettes.
A team of researchers has developed a new approach to discover the thousands of human-made 'forever' chemicals, PFAS, using advanced mass spectrometry. The technique enables them to characterize and catalog the chemical compounds in the PFAS family.
A two-year randomized trial found that cannabis use significantly impaired driving ability, particularly in the first few hours after smoking. Despite varying levels of THC content and user history, participants displayed diminished skills on simulated driving tests.
A study found that 31.4% of trauma patients at Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo, Brazil, tested positive for psychoactive substance use, including alcohol (23%), cocaine (12%), and marijuana (5%). The study contributes to the development of public policies to prevent accidents.
Researchers at Hiroshima University discovered that a broccoli compound, DIM, induces controlled cell death and recycling of cellular components in fission yeast. The study suggests that targeting the nuclear envelope could be an early target for future anti-cancer treatments.
A new study by the University of California - San Francisco found an association between increased drinking and hospital visits for atrial fibrillation in a large population. The study linked acute alcohol consumption with a higher risk of new-onset AF in previously undiagnosed individuals.
A recent study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili's TecnATox research group detected seven emerging flame retardants in indoor spaces in Tarragona, Spain, including at high levels. The findings suggest potential health risks for adults and children due to inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.
A recent UC San Diego study has found that e-cigarette use does not help smokers stay off cigarettes, but rather increases the risk of relapse. Former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes were more likely to relapse compared to those who remained tobacco-free.
A study by UCSF researchers found that emergency department visits and hospitalizations made by patients with addictions increased by 30% and 57%, respectively, between 2014-2018. The authors highlight the urgent need for hospitals to develop systems of hospital-based interventions to provide addiction treatment.
Scientists at Kobe University have created plants that can identify polychlorinated biphenyls and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which contaminate soil and water. The plant-based method offers a convenient and inexpensive way to monitor toxicity levels.
A team of scientists discovered molecules called 'toxin sponges' in poison frogs and birds that can act as mops to clean up the poisons, potentially leading to a treatment for paralytic shellfish poisoning. The study found that captive-raised poison frogs were resistant to deadly toxins due to these toxin-sponging proteins.
The article examines autopsy, toxicological, and psychiatric reports of Portugal's first major forensic case. It highlights the importance of toxicological analysis and suggests potential new insights with current knowledge.
A study reveals that xylazine, a non-opioid sedative, is implicated in nearly a third of fatal overdoses involving heroin and/or fentanyl in Philadelphia. The substance has been increasingly appearing in the illicit drug supply across the US.
A research team led by Prof. Dr. Robert Grosse has found that bundled fibers of actin play a crucial role in the expansion of cell nuclei after division. This process is essential for reorganizing genetic information and processing chromatin.
A toxicology study found that nonprescribed fentanyl and stimulants were the primary contributors to overdose mortality in BC. Only 8.7% of individuals had taken prescribed opioids, highlighting the need for alternative strategies to address the current overdose crisis.
A new diagnostic/treatment algorithm complements early guidance from the CDC for managing vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI). The tool was developed by pulmonary and toxicology experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the New York State Department of Health.
A new study by Imperial Brands found that Blu vapor did not trigger significant toxicological responses in human lung cells, unlike cigarette smoke. The research used a 3D model of human lung tissue and found no decrease in cilia or ciliated cells after four weeks of exposure.
A clinical trial found that all four tested sunscreen active ingredients (avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule) were detected in blood samples at levels exceeding the FDA's recommended toxicology threshold. The study's limitations include lack of exposure to heat, sunlight, or humidity, which may impact absorption rates.
A new study investigates potential botanical-drug interactions (BDIs) with Boswellia serrata extract, a widely used anti-inflammatory supplement. The study compared two in vitro methods and found that the sandwich-cultured human hepatocyte model is a more accurate predictor of BDIs.
Researchers found no significant increase in opioid-involved fatal crashes in Maryland from 2006 to 2017. A new approach defined by limiting analysis to those who died at the scene with opioids in their systems versus those who died later revealed this steady trend.
The KIT National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease has secured funding for its second phase, which will focus on developing domestic respiratory disease products. The center will utilize a one-step solution combining inhalation testing with toxicology evaluation and clinical studies to evaluate product efficacy.
The study found that seven states have adopted their own guideline levels for PFOA and/or PFOS, with three setting levels lower than EPA's health advisory. State guidelines vary dramatically, from 13 nanograms per liter to 1,000 nanograms per liter.
A recent study found that consumers' knowledge about toxicological principles is limited, leading to misconceptions about man-made versus natural chemicals. Emotions such as disgust also play a significant role in accepting new food technologies, with a negative association between willingness to eat and disgust responses.
Researchers found a significant drop in hospital admissions for toxic effects of so-called legal highs after UK government restrictions and local council measures were implemented. This led to healthcare savings, suggesting that these measures were effective in preventing drug-related harm.
Researchers at Portland State University developed methods to measure free-base nicotine in e-cigarette liquids and vapor. The study found that JUUL products have low free-base levels but high total nicotine, making them tolerable for inhalation.
A study found that pangasius contains high levels of mercury, exceeding European limits. Researchers recommend avoiding the fish due to its low nutritional value and potential health risks, especially in children.
The special focus issue of Bioanalysis examines models and trends in outsourcing, featuring insights from key opinion leaders. The issue highlights the rapidly evolving aspect of drug discovery and development.
A study found that tweets about opioid misuse on Twitter were strongly correlated with state-by-state information from the National Surveys on Drug Usage and Health. The research used a list of keywords to extract relevant tweets, which were then clustered based on semantic distance and verified by medical toxicologists.
Researchers developed two new mechanistic models, Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs), to assess toxicological risk of chemicals without animal testing. The AOPs were recognized by PETA International Science Consortium for their contributions to non-animal approaches.
A new method for identifying illicit drugs has been developed, offering high sensitivity and fast results. This technique uses multi-dimensional chromatography combined with a micro-extraction method, allowing for rapid analysis in under 20 minutes.