Environmental Factor

NIEHS Spotlight

NIEHS leaders help shape regulatory policy

NIEHS leaders joined experts from government, industry, academia and public interest organizations at an April 5-6 workshop on FDA's evaluation of science.

NTP board supports folic acid workshop, nanomaterials program, and more

The NTP Board of Scientific Counselors gave several scientific initiatives the "thumbs up" when it met April 13 at NIEHS.

Spirit Lecturer advocates diversity in academic medicine

As part of Women's History Month, Duke University School of Medicine Dean Nancy Andrews, M.D., Ph.D., visited NIEHS March 29 to deliver the 2011 Spirit Lecture.

NHGRI director reveals roadmap for genomic medicine

In his first visit to NIEHS on April 11, Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, reflected on the past, present, and future of genomics.

GEI grantees reflect on program at final annual meeting

About 170 scientists from the NIH Genes, Environment, and Health Initiative (GEI) Exposure Biology Program gathered April 14-15 at NIEHS.

Hot Zone summit challenges environmental injustices

A luncheon panel session March 25 featured NIEHS staff and distinguished grantees addressing lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Thayer presents NTP obesity workshop findings to local communicators

NTP lead scientist Kris Thayer, Ph.D., showcased the breadth of some of the expanded research activities her office is conducting during a talk April 19 at Sigma Xi.

New SRP webinars to highlight community engagement successes

An NIEHS Superfund Research Program webinar March 31 kicked off a new series on community engagement, a vital element of SRP projects.

NIEHS trainees serve as DNA ambassadors for high schools

Commemorating North Carolina DNA Day, trainees presented molecular biology lectures and hands-on activities to high school students around the state.

Remembering James Fouts

The environmental health sciences community lost one of its pioneers April 15 with the death of pharmacologist and Episcopal priest James Fouts, Ph.D., at age 81.

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Inside the Institute

Fellows urged to nurture careers

Trainees gathered April 19 in Rodbell Auditorium for the annual NIEHS Trainees Assembly General Meeting.

Women's history month talk takes aim at cosmetics

NIEHS employees were among some 75 federal employees and guests attending a talk by dermatologist Amy Fox, M.D., on the potential toxicity of personal care products.

EHP and NIEHS celebrate Earth Day 2011

EHP is celebrating the 41st anniversary of Earth Day, the birth of the modern environmental movement, with a special page published on April 22.

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Science Notebook

Hormones and the stress response

According to NIEHS Distinguished Lecturer Ron de Kloet, Ph.D., speaking April 12 at NIEHS, everyday stressors induce specific physiological changes in the body.

Symposium charts the impact of stress on children's environmental health

NIEHS grantees joined colleagues in the field of children's health March 25 at Duke University to explore "The Social Context of Environmental Exposures in Children."

Exercise may protect the brain from chemical-induced injury

Recent research suggests that exercise may offer some protection against environmental toxicants and neurodegenerative diseases by reducing inflammation in the brain.

NTP Peer Review Panel weighs in on Aloe vera extract, other compounds

Don't throw out the aloe plant you keep to treat burns, but it might be time to reconsider if you consume certain commercial products containing Aloe vera.

Economist models effects of global climate change

NIEHS grantee Olivier Deschenes, Ph.D., spoke at NIEHS April 7 as part of the Keystone Science Lecture Seminar Series to discuss his research on this topic.

Protecting telomeres involves HipHop protein

NCI geneticist Yikang Rong, Ph.D., presented evidence during an April 11 talk at NIEHS that explained models for maintaining telomeres in the fruitfly.

Diet may protect against colon cancer, says NIEHS study

Consuming meat cooked at high temperatures can cause DNA damage in the colon, while eating certain other foods may have a protective effect, according to a new NIEHS study.

This month in EHP

The May issue of EHP highlights a longstanding threat to water quality with a cover story on "Phosphorus Paradox: Scarcity and Overabundance of a Key Nutrient."

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Extramural Research

Extramural Papers of the Month

• Beijing Olympics pollution controls could save lives
• Amyloid-binding compound extends lifespan in C. elegans
• Study finds no link between mercury exposure and cardiovascular disease
• Mitochondrial, but not nuclear ligase3 is required for cellular viability

Intramural Research

Intramural Papers of the Month

• Physiological key player found for glucose-induced insulin secretion
• Dioxin targets the blood-brain barrier
• Comparison of global gene expression profiles in response to xenoestrogens
• Study highlights importance of protein complexes in liver metabolism

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Calendar of Upcoming Events

• May 3-5 (offsite event), at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, Mobile, Ala. - Worker Education and Training Program Spring Awardee Meeting and Technical Workshop: Deepwater Horizon's Lessons Learned Workshop: Improving Safety and Health Training for Disaster Cleanup Workers
• May 4, in Rall D-350, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Arieh Zaritsky, Ph.D., speaking on "Manipulating the bacterial cell division cycle by physiological means"
• May 3-7 (offsite event), in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y - 2011 Cold Spring Harbor Meeting on Telomeres & Telomerase
• May 9, in Keystone 1003AB, 3:00-4:00 p.m. - Keystone Lecture Seminar Series with Michael Skinner, Ph.D., exploring "Epigenetic Transgenerational Actions of Environmental Compounds on Reproduction and Disease"
• May 12-13, in Keystone 1003AB, 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. - Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee meeting
• May 16, in Rodbell Auditorium, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Laboratory of Molecular Genetics Fellows Invited Guest Lectures Series presentation, speaker TBA
• May 17, in Rodbell A, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Biostatistics Branch Seminar Series presentation by Paul Albert, Ph.D., topic TBA
• May 18, in Rall F-193, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Laboratory of Neurobiology Seminar Series presentation on "The potential role of maternal antibodies in the etiology of autism: Support from a monkey model and the clinical population," by Loren Martin, Ph.D.
• May 19, in Rall D-450, 10:00-11:00 a.m. - Laboratory of Molecular Carcinogenesis Seminar Series presentation by Susan Henning, Ph.D., "The Elusive Intestinal Stem Cell: Progress and Challenges"
• May 18-20, in Rodbell Auditorium, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council 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)