NIEHS Spotlight

SOT 2014 — packed with good science, energy, and enthusiasm

The 53rd annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology concluded March 27, fulfilling its mission of showcasing cutting-edge science and fostering collaborations.

Workshop advances arsenic research and prevention

NIEHS hosted a meeting March 3-4 that gave scientists across a range of disciplines a venue for laying the foundation for the next generation of arsenic research.

A visit from the Dalai Lama — not an ordinary science talk

The Dalai Lama visited NIH March 7 to discuss the role of science in human flourishing as part of the J. Edward Rall Cultural Lecture.

Spirit Lecture features UNC Chancellor Carol Folt

NIEHS welcomed University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt, Ph.D., March 20 to present the 2014 Spirit Lecture in Rodbell Auditorium.

NIH celebrates equity, diversity, and inclusion

NIH officially launched the new Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion with a full schedule of activities March 24-27 that included a special flash mentoring session at NIEHS.

Roundtable explores benefits and challenges of data sharing

The Institute of Medicine hosted a roundtable March 19 to explored the benefits and challenges of sharing of environmental health sciences data.

Seminar explores communication of uncertainty and risk

For insight into how to better express its conclusions on potential health concerns, NTP turned to two experts in psychology during a March 12 seminar at NIEHS.

Scientists inaugurate inflammation faculty

The faculty will enhance cross-cutting research on environmentally associated inflammation, involved in some increasingly prevalent diseases.

Regional symposium addresses reproductive biology

Regional researchers and trainees connected at the March 8 annual symposium of the Triangle Consortium for Reproductive Biology.

Trainees shine at reproductive biology symposium

Two NIEHS trainees received recognition at a symposium March 8 in Research Triangle Park, N.C., winning top awards for their presentations.

UNC Superfund scientists study effects of Dan River coal ash spill

Damian Shea, Ph.D., and colleagues are collecting and analyzing samples from the Dan River to determine the potential for human exposure.

Building global partnerships to improve research communication

In March, NIEHS Global Environmental Health program coordinator Banalata (Bono) Sen, PhD., led a seminar in India as part of the Institute's commitment to international collaborations.

Collaboration, focus, and innovation keys to replacing animal use

NTP’s Warren Casey, Ph.D., keynotes a conference on effective alternatives to use of animals in toxicology research, presented by the N.J. Association for Biomedical Research

Duke and UNC SRP scientists connect with journalists

The NIEHS-funded Duke and UNC Superfund Research Program Research Translation Cores co-hosted a workshop March 5-6, focused on communicating science to the media.

NTP holds flash mentoring session for trainees

NTP caught a flash wave that’s been sweeping NIH recently, with a mentoring and poster session for trainees March 20 in Rodbell Auditorium.

Inside the Institute

NIEHS to upgrade exterior lighting to LED

The Institute is replacing lights on its roadways with LED lights, saving on both energy and cost.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Apr 03, Webcast 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — NIH webcast, , National Native American Heritage 2014 Speaker Series, featuring presentations by Dawn Satterfield, R.N., Ph.D., CDC, and Lawrence Agodoa, M.D., NIDDK
Apr 03 (Off-site event), C113 at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Research Triangle Park, NC 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. — NIEHS/EPA seminar on “Exposure Science in the 21st Century: A Vision, a Strategy, and New Directions in 2014,” by Paul Lioy, Ph.D.
Apr 03, Rodbell Auditorium 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. — Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award Seminar Series, featuring a presentation by Nicki Baker, Ph.D., on “Polychlorinated Biphenyl Ligands of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Promote Diabetes”
Apr 09, Webinar 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. — EPA/NIEHS Children's Centers 2014 Webinar Series
Apr 14, Rodbell Auditorium 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Hans L. Falk Lecture, “The Evolutionary History of Steroid Hormone Receptors: Ancient Insights Into Endocrine Disruption,” by Joseph Thornton, Ph.D.
Apr 15, Webinar 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. — Superfund Research Program Trainee Webinar Series , featuring Minghui Gui of the University of Kentucky, and Fabian Grimm of the University of Iowa
Apr 16–18, Rodbell Auditorium 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — NTP Board of Scientific Counselors meeting
Apr 25 (Off-site event), EPA conference center 7:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m. — 17th Annual NIEHS Biomedical Career Symposium , Registration
Apr 30, Webinar 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. — Superfund Research Program Trainee Webinar Series, featuring Jing Sun of Columbia University, and Peter Wagner of Harvard University
May 01, Rodbell Auditorium 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — NIEHS Genomics Day

View More Events: NIEHS Public Calendar

Science Notebook

Distinguished lecture highlights RNA discoveries

Melissa Moore, Ph.D., sheds new light on how RNA is transported at the cellular level and diseases that can result when the process goes awry.

Cholesterol gene may be responsible for increased inflammation

In the first paper to result from the Environmental Polymorphisms Registry, NIEHS researchers find the APOE4 gene contributes to inflammation risk.

Prevalence of allergies the same, regardless of where you live

In largest, most comprehensive U.S. study to date, NIEHS scientists find allergy prevalence is consistent, except in children under 6.

Obesity primes the colon for cancer

NIEHS scientists, studying a gene thought to be protective of colon cancer, discovered that obesity, not diet, causes changes in the colon that may lead to colorectal cancer.

Solving a mystery

In a March 5 seminar at NIEHS, Richard Peterson, Ph.D., presented pioneering work that implicated dioxin in pesticides in the mysterious disappearance of fish in Lake Ontario.

New study links BPA and prostate cancer in humans

Researchers funded in part by NIEHS report higher urinary concentrations of BPA in men with prostate cancer than in men without the disease, and that low-dose BPA may contribute to disease progression.

Symposium explores cognitive effects of neurotoxic exposures during development

The Duke University Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program held its spring symposium March 7 on the Duke campus in Durham, N.C.

Lecture highlights flame retardants

In a March 19 lecture, Heather Stapleton, Ph.D. presented studies of human exposure to flame-retardants and potential endocrine-disrupting effects.

Silicone wristbands facilitate exposome study

NIEHS-funded Superfund researchers at Oregon State University, led by Kim Anderson, Ph.D., have developed a simple wristband and extraction method that can test exposure to 1,200 chemicals.

Osteoporosis drug may treat breast and liver cancers

NIEHS-funded researchers determine that raloxifene binds with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, killing cancer cells that do not have receptors for estrogen.

Community resilience and disaster response in the U.S. Gulf Coast

Along the Gulf Coast, NIEHS-funded researchers study the factors that contribute to community resiliency after disasters and the best ways to build resilience.

Webinar advances review of TCE

NTP hosted a webinar March 17 to obtain scientific input to exposure assessment issues and public input on protocol for its review of TCE.

NIEHS scientists contribute to advance in urinary bladder cancer research

Dmitri Gordenin, Ph.D., and colleagues reported in Nature their analysis of molecular alterations in urothelial bladder carcinomas, identifying potential therapeutic targets.

Jetten explores the role of Glis proteins in development and disease

Anton Jetten, Ph.D., discussed findings related to Glis proteins and their role in diseases such as diabetes and kidney disease in a March 4 talk at NCSU.

This month in EHP

The April issue of Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) highlights concerns with lead in decorative paints, and impacts of the Navajo Nation owning coal mines on its land.

Extramural Research

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Intramural Research

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Environmental Factor

April 2014