NIEHS Spotlight

Senate hearing focuses on autism research

In an August 3 hearing, a Senate subcommittee met to discuss the state of research on environmental factors related to autism and related disorders.

New breast cancer committee to set federal research agenda

A newly formed advisory committee will coordinate a strategic federal research agenda on environmental and genetic factors related to breast cancer.

NIEHS joins NC oil spill forum

While the experts think it's unlikely oil from the Gulf will reach the shores of N.C., the state is coordinating a comprehensive response just in case it does.

Applying Superfund expertise to the gulf oil spill

Kim Anderson, Ph.D., of the Oregon State University (OSU) Superfund Research Program (SRP) is tracking the longterm chemical impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Superfund trainee awarded EPA fellowship

NIEHS-funded trainee Alissa Cordner, a Ph.D. student at Brown University, has been awarded a highly competitive EPA STAR Graduate Fellowship.

NIH announces climate change and health funding

In a funding opportunity announcement issued July 27, NIEHS announced a new trans-NIH program to fund research on climate change and human health.

DERT director finalists visit NIEHS

During a very busy week Aug. 16-20, employees at NIEHS had an opportunity to hear from the finalists for position of director of the NIEHS extramural program.

Superfund grantee honored by entomology group

Veteran NIEHS Superfund Research Program grantee Bruce Hammock, Ph.D., has added yet another prestigious honor to his long list of achievements.

Newton to chair National Children's Study committee

Continuing the NIEHS leadership presence in the National Children's Study (NCS), Sheila Newton, Ph.D., will chair the NCS Interagency Coordinating Committee.

NIEHS scientists help Milwaukee students imagine

Sylvia Hewitt and April Binder, Ph.D., were among some 50 volunteers at the first annual Society for the Study of Reproduction pre-meeting outreach day July 29.

Former trainee builds mentoring program at NCSU

When Shweta Trivedi, Ph.D., was in the middle of her fellowship at NIEHS, little did she know that she would one day build a highly successful mentoring program at NCSU.

Roman to head EEO

Gerard Roman will lead support services to NIEHS as the Institute's Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management specialist, according to an Aug. 23 announcement by NIH.

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Inside the Institute

Feds feed families with a half ton of help from NIEHS

This summer, NIEHS joined a government-wide effort to alleviate severe shortages of non-perishable items at food banks across the nation.

New NIEHS signs include NTP

NIEHS underwent a minor facelift in July and August when workers installed new signs on campus that include NTP for the first time.

Fellows enjoy food and fellowship at Lake Crabtree picnic

High temperatures and an overcast morning did nothing to dissuade approximately 50 fellows and their families from turning out for an afternoon of fun August 14.

Army gains as NIEHS loses Gentry

Friends and colleagues gathered August 10 to wish Supervisory Contract Specialist Melissa Gentry the best in her new job at the Army Research Office.

Ivanoff heads west for new adventures

At the end of August, NIH Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Specialist Ginny Ivanoff left her position at NIEHS for a new job in Little Rock, Ark.

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Science Notebook

Keystone lecture explores the challenges of mixtures research

During his visit to NIEHS June 23, biochemist Andreas Kortenkamp, Ph.D., spoke on "Mixtures: The Future of Toxicology Research, Testing and Risk Assessment."

Students showcase Summers of Discovery research

Participants in the NIEHS Summers of Discovery program brought to fruition several weeks of working toward a successful presentation at the annual poster competition.

MAGE-11 regulation of androgen receptor

On Aug. 3, the NIEHS Receptor Mechanisms Discussion Group welcomed Elizabeth Wilson, Ph.D., its most recent guest and an expert on androgen receptor regulation.

Study on early puberty advances breast cancer research

A new study led by NIEHS-funded investigators adds to widespread concern that girls are increasingly entering puberty at an earlier age.

High-throughput screening of mitochondrial toxicity

The NTP hosted a talk by Craig Beeson, Ph.D., July 30 on "High-Throughput Respirometric Assay for Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Toxicity."

Atrazine causes abnormalities in male rats

A new NIEHS-funded study shows that male rats prenatally exposed to low doses of atrazine, a widely used herbicide, are more likely to develop prostate inflammation.

NIEHS-led study advances predictive genomics

A new NIEHS-led study shows that genomic indicators in the blood can serve as diagnostic biomarkers predictive of drug-induced liver injury.

Unruly protein may shape learning and memory

Neurobiologist John Hepler, Ph.D., shared exciting findings about a protein found in the mouse hippocampus, where spatial learning and memory formation occur.

Summers of Discovery ends with module on air pollution

The program concluded its lecture series July 27 with a module on air pollution presented by three NIEHS postdocs and an NIEHS laboratory biologist.

This month in EHP

EHP tackles environmental issues in the Arctic in this month's news with a stunning cover depiction of an eerie frozen landscape and two timely feature articles.

DNA Repair Videoconference Seminar Series begins

The popular NIH series is broadcast live on the second Tuesday of each month between September and June to 14 linked sites across the country.

Upcoming distinguished lecturer Patricia Donahoe

On Sept. 14, NIEHS will host a talk by Patricia Donahoe, M.D., on the potential of Mullerian Inhibiting Substances in ovarian cancer treatment.

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Extramural Research

Extramural papers of the month

• Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals linked to ADHD
• Circadian clock in pancreas linked to diabetes
• In utero BPA exposure leads to epigenetic alterations
• Vitamin A treatment and lung disease in pre-term lambs

Intramural Research

Intramural papers of the month

• The absence of SIRT1 produces an inflammatory response
• Dyslipidemia and the TLR response
• Cohesin prevents genome instability by restricting DNA repair to sister chromatids
• Oxidized (bi)sulfite leads to reactive sulfur species and protein radical formation

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Calendar of Upcoming Events

• Sept. 1-2, in Rodbell Auditorium, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council fall meeting - public portions Webcast
• Sept. 7, in the Executive Conference Room, 12:00-1:00 p.m. - Receptor Mechanisms Discussion Group, featuring Yoshiaki Tsuji, Ph.D., exploring "A New Regulatory Mechanism of CREB and ATF1 by HIPK2 in Cellular Genotoxic Response"
• Sept. 8-9, in Keystone 1003AB, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. - "Autism and the Environment: New Ideas for Advancing the Science" - Webcast
• Sept. 13, in Rodbell Auditorium, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. - High Throughput Screening Pathways Identification Meeting
• Sept. 14-16 (Offsite Event), in the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Md., 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - International Workshop on Alternative Methods to Reduce, Refine, and Replace the Use of Animals in Vaccine Potency and Safety Testing
• Sept. 14, in Rodbell Auditorium, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Distinguished Lecture Seminar Series with Patricia Donahoe, M.D., discussing "Chemotherapeutic Agents vs. Mullerian Inhibiting Substance on Stem/Progenitor Cells in Human Ovarian Cancer"
• Sept. 15 (Offsite Event), in Building 106 Rooms 1A/1B at the National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Chamblee, Ga., 10:00-11:30 a.m. - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Seminar Series, with Celia Chen, Ph.D., addressing "Ecological Factors Controlling Metal Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer in Aquatic Food Webs"
• Sept. 16, in Rodbell Auditorium, 2:00-3:00 p.m. - Carter Van Waes, M.D., Ph.D., speaking on "Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapy of Subsets of Tobacco Related Head and Neck Cancers"
• Sept. 20, in Rall F193, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Laboratory of Molecular Genetics Seminar Series, with Vivian Cheung, M.D., speaking on "Genetic analysis of radiation-induced changes in human gene expression"
• Sept. 24, in Rodbell Auditorium, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. - National Postdoc Appreciation Day and NIEHS Trainees Assembly General Assembly Meeting

View More Events: NIEHS Public Calendar

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The Environmental Factor is produced monthly by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) (https://www.niehs.nih.gov/), Office of Communications and Public Liaison. The text is not copyrighted, and it can be reprinted without permission. If you use parts of Environmental Factor in your publication, we ask that you provide us with a copy for our records. We welcome your comments and suggestions. (bruskec@niehs.nih.gov)