Environmental Factor - November 2018

Environmental Factor - November 2018

The latest issue of Environmental Factor leads with a story on the final NTP report on tests of cell phone radiofrequency radiation. You’ll also learn about NIEHS activities during National Children’s Health Month, and our appreciation of the institute’s hardworking trainees. As always, we hope there is something for everyone. We welcome ideas for stories, as well as other feedback. Kelly Lenox, Editor in Chief 984-287-3281

High exposure to radio frequency radiation associated with cancer in male rats The National Toxicology Program found clear evidence that male rats exposed to high levels of radio frequency radiation developed cancerous heart tumors.

Child Health Month highlights environmental research During October, NIEHS raised visibility of the science through a congressional briefing, grantee meeting, and other events.

Fellows praised during NIEHS appreciation week NIEHS Fellows Appreciation Week was an action-packed celebration of those who are instrumental to the institute’s research programs.

Male mice grow ovaries after single gene tweak By turning on a gene found in all mammals, NIEHS scientists prompted male mice to grow ovaries, which suggests sexual development is flexible. Innovative research ideas win new NIH grants NIEHS will administer the grants of three scientists whose innovative research ideas received funding from the National Institutes of Health. When pain causes more pain: opioid hazards in the workplace The state of opioid-related hazards in the workplace was the focus of the 2018 Worker Training Program workshop at NIEHS. SOX17 protein is critical for pregnancy NIEHS scientists and colleagues discovered that a protein in mice and humans called SOX17 may be critical for a woman to become pregnant. Teresa Woodruff elected to National Academy of Medicine Grantee Teresa Woodruff, Ph.D., was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for achievements that include the invention of EVATAR. Researchers respond quickly after Hurricane Florence After Hurricane Florence devastated southeastern North Carolina, NIEHS grantees hit the ground running to test for contaminants. Algal blooms’ toxic recipe uncovered NIEHS-funded researchers unmasked the genetic basis for how one form of harmful algal bloom becomes toxic. New NTP leadership brings new direction The National Toxicology Program’s advisory board discussed new directions shared by Associate Director Brian Berridge, D.V.M., Ph.D. NIEHS fellows land dream jobs in academia This summer Heather Vellers, Ph.D., and Rachel Carroll, Ph.D., began academic careers, after only two years of research training at NIEHS.

Nanoparticles offer low-cost, reusable way to clean up drinking water Novel technologies using nanoparticles may help clean up contaminated drinking water, according to the 2017 Karen Wetterhahn Award winner. PFAS contamination spurs university research collaboration North Carolina researchers gathered to discuss a group of chemicals called PFAS that contaminate some of the state’s drinking water. Jackson lands Harvard fellowship NIEHS epidemiologist Chandra Jackson, Ph.D., is one of 15 new JPB Environmental Health Fellows at Harvard. Expanding environmental health research in Africa In Kigali, Rwanda, an NIEHS-sponsored workshop focused on building environmental health research capacity in the H3Africa consortium. New role for DNA repair protein Former NIEHS scientist Ben Van Houten, Ph.D., shared findings on new functions for a DNA repair protein known as UV-DDB. Diversity Speaker Series honors Hispanic Heritage Month NIEHS honored National Hispanic Heritage Month Oct. 16 with a talk by Scientific Review Branch Chief Alfonso Latoni, Ph.D. Goldstein wins prestigious achievement award Scientist Emeritus Joyce Goldstein, Ph.D., received the International Society of the Study of Xenobiotics scientific achievement award. LEED Platinum rating awarded to NIEHS warehouse The NIEHS net-zero energy warehouse is the first Department of Health and Human Services building to achieve LEED Platinum certification. Susceptible populations highlighted at local tox meeting The fall meeting of the North Carolina Society of Toxicology highlighted populations that are especially sensitive to toxicants.

Extramural papers of the month  •    Genetic basis for algal bloom toxicity •    Respiratory support source of phthalates in NICUs •    Caspase-2 enzyme implicated in fatty liver disease •    Generational impacts of arsenic on DNA methylation

Intramural papers of the month  •    NTP finds that arsenic encourages stem cells to become cancer-like •    NRF2 mutation activates cancer target genes •    Male mice grow ovaries after single gene tweak •    The brain’s stress chemical has surprising effects •    School lunch linked to higher chemical levels in children’s urine