Environmental Factor

NIEHS Spotlight

Zeldin named NIEHS scientific director

As the latest addition to its top leadership team, NIEHS has named Acting Director of Clinical Research Darryl Zeldin, M.D., as its new scientific director, effective Oct. 23.

NIEHS celebrates Postdoc Appreciation Week

NIEHS joined institutions nationwide Sept. 23, as it paid tribute to its postdoctoral fellows with a celebration on the final day of National Postdoc Appreciation Week.

Birnbaum addresses ISEE Barcelona

NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., gave a keynote lecture at the annual meeting of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology Sept. 13-16.

CFC launches 2011 campaign

NIEHS will kick off its 2011 Combined Federal Campaign Oct. 4 with a goal of raising more than $100,000 in pledges for charitable contributions from employees.

Council briefed on new developments at NIEHS

There's never a dull moment at NIEHS. That truth was quite evident at the latest meeting of the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council Sept. 1-2.

Guillette honored by Heinz Foundation

Former NIEHS grantee Louis Guillette, Ph.D., became the latest in a long list of NIEHS-funded environmental health scientists to receive the coveted $100,000 Heinz Award.

NIEHS launches GuLF STUDY media tour

As part of its recruitment for the GuLF STUDY (Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study), NIEHS conducted the first of four fall media tours Aug. 31-Sept. 1 in southern Alabama.

NRC report offers lawmakers new approach for health impact assessment

In a new report, the National Research Council introduced a comprehensive, six-step framework for assessing the potential health impact of new policies, plans, and projects.

Superfund signs Memorandum of Understanding with EPA

This MOU formalizes an agreement between the NIEHS Superfund Research Program and the EPA office responsible for overseeing the cleanup of Superfund sites.

Woychik addresses NY Committee for Occupational Safety and Health

NIEHS Deputy Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., spoke at a conference Sept. 16 on "Protecting Worker and Community Health: Are We Prepared for the Next 911?"

Olden honored at environmental public health conference

Former NIEHS Director Kenneth Olden, Ph.D., received the 2011 Richard and Barbara Hansen Leadership Award Sept. 8 from the University of Iowa College of Public Health.

Cavanaugh and Wilson group paper highlighted by JBC

The Sept. 9 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry features an image from the paper on its cover and a profile of its first author, postdoctoral fellow Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D.

Writer and editor kick off trainees' brown bag lunch series

The NIEHS Trainees Assembly kicked off its new series of career-development brown bag lunches Sept. 9 with a session on scientific writing opportunities.

LSB fellow makes move to private sector

Kelly Mercier, Ph.D., made a major transition in her career to a position as an applications scientist at the private sector diagnostic company LipoScience.

Gottesman announces new intramural research website

On Sept. 19, Michael Gottesman, M.D., deputy director of the NIH Intramural Research Program, announced the launch of a new website to highlight in-house researchers.

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Inside the Institute

NIEHS honors staff for years of service

NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., recognized 40 employees, commemorating career milestones of 10, 20, 30, and 40 years of federal service.

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Calendar of Upcoming Events

• Oct. 4, location and time TBA - Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Kick-off with Charity Fair and Bake Sale
• Oct. 11-13, (offsite event), Center for Veterinary Biologics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Centers for Animal Health, Ames, Iowa, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - International Workshop on Alternative Methods for Rabies Vaccine Potency Testing: State of the Science and Planning the Way Forward
• Oct. 12, in Rodbell C, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, featuring Jane Delgado, Ph.D., of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health
• Oct. 17-18, in Rodbell Auditorium, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Board of Scientific Counselors Review of Laboratory of Respiratory Biology
• Oct. 18, in Rall D350, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Biostatistics Branch Seminar by Zhigen Zhao, Ph.D., topic TBA
• Oct. 18, (offsite event), in Room 103 of the Bryan Research Building at Duke University, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Neurobiology Invited Seminar Series with Serena Dudek, Ph.D., topic TBA
• Oct. 24-25, (offsite event), at the Hilton Lexington Downtown, Lexington, Ky. - Superfund Research Program Annual Meeting
• Oct. 24-26, in Rodbell Auditorium, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - NIEHS/Pan American Health Organization Collaborating Centers Meeting
• Oct. 25-27, in Rall Lobby and Keystone Lobby, time TBA - CFC Book, DVD and CD sale
• Oct. 31, in Rodbell Auditorium, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Laboratory of Molecular Genetics Fellows Invited Guest Lecture
• Oct. 31, in NIEHS Cafeteria, time TBA - CFC Ice Cream Social and Halloween Costume Contest

View More Events: NIEHS Public Calendar

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Science Notebook

Council scientific talks showcase diverse research interests

Two scientific presentations at the 134th meeting of Council Sept. 2 highlighted the vast range of the research interests supported by NIEHS.

Conference highlights toxicogenomics, bioinformatics and computational biology

The conference was webcast in two-way transmission to researchers at EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment in Washington, D.C. and Health Canada.

Toxicology and infectious disease research: Is it time for more collaboration?

Facilitated by Mike Humble, Ph.D., the workshop examined the state of the science to determine the gaps and set directions for future research initiatives in the field.

NIDA director visits NIEHS, provides addiction research update

National Institute of Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow, M.D., presented an update on drug abuse and addiction research during a noontime presentation at NIEHS Sept. 23.

Applying 21st century toxicology to green chemistry

Scientists aiming to develop real-world solutions for problem chemicals gathered at a workshop Sept. 20-21 in Washington, D.C.

Meyer returns to NIEHS to discuss mitochondrial DNA damage

Former Laboratory of Molecular Genetics fellow Joel Meyer, Ph.D., summarized his research about the persistent effects of environmental agents on mitochondrial DNA.

Menthol may promote nicotine addiction

Findings from a new study that appeared online in the September 8 issue of The FASEB Journal could help smokers understand why their habit is so hard to break.

Superfund study examines carcinogenicity of nickel nanoparticles

Brown University researchers have published a study showing evidence nickel nanoparticles activate a cellular pathway that contributes to cancer in human lung cells.

NTP alternatives center showcases accomplishments

NTP representatives attended the Eighth World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences Aug. 21-25 in Montreal, Canada.

Researchers discover how Geobacter remove uranium contamination

A new study funded in part by NIEHS has revealed that Geobacter bacteria use their conductive hair-like filaments or pili to clean up nuclear waste and other contamination.

Women scientists shine at NCSOT meeting

What made this meeting stand out from previous ones was its domination by women scientists, who delivered three of the four talks at the event and won all of its awards.

Epigenomics data goes public

The NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Mapping Consortium is delivering on its promise of developing a public resource of human epigenomic data.

SRP researchers quantify PCB pollution in East Chicago harbor

NIEHS-funded researchers have found high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in the deep sediment of the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal in East Chicago, Ind.

This month in EHP

In its annual Children's Health issue, EHP highlights new research into the potential effects of psychological stress on children's response to environmental pollutants.

Upcoming NIEHS workshop on erionite and mesothelioma

NIEHS will host a workshop exploring the state-of-the-science surrounding the mineral erionite and its potential threat to human health Oct. 12 in Rodbell Auditorium.

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Extramural Research

Extramural Papers of the Month

• Carbon nanotubes: Cells bite off more than they can chew
• Widespread RNA/DNA mismatch
• Reprogramming adult fibroblasts into functional neurons
• Mold exposure during infancy increases risk of asthma

Intramural Research

Intramural Papers of the Month

• Neonatal exposure to estrogenic environmental chemicals may contribute to infertility
• New software analyzes next-generation sequencing data
• Mitochondrial targeting of phospholipid scramblase 3 depends on palmitoylation
• COX-2 is a key regulator of Th17 cell differentiation in allergic lung inflammation

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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)