NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - News

Brain Study May Lead to Improved Epilepsy Treatments

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 8:30:00 EDT

Using a rodent model of epilepsy, researchers found one of the body's own neurotransmitters released during seizures, glutamate, turns on a signaling pathway in the brain that increases production of a protein that could reduce medication entry into the brain.

Newly Awarded Autism Centers of Excellence to Further Autism Research

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 11:45:00 EDT

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced on April 1, 2008, the latest recipients of the Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) program. These grants will support studies covering a broad range of autism research areas, including early brain development and functioning, social interactions in infants, rare genetic variants and mutations, associations between autism-related genes and physical traits, possible environmental risk factors and biomarkers, and a potential new medication treatment.

Rodent Study Finds Artificial Butter Chemical Harmful to Lungs

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 8:00:00 EDT

A new study shows that exposure to a chemical called diacetyl, a component of artificial butter flavoring, can be harmful to the nose and airways of mice. Scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health, conducted the study because diacetyl has been implicated in causing obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) in humans.

Increased Allergen Levels in Homes Linked to Asthma

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:30:00 EST

Results from a new national survey demonstrate that elevated allergen levels in the home are associated with asthma symptoms in allergic individuals. The study suggests that asthmatics that have allergies may alleviate symptoms by reducing allergen exposures inside their homes.

NIH Collaborates with EPA to Improve the Safety Testing of Chemicals

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST

Testing the safety of chemicals ranging from pesticides to household cleaners will benefit from new technologies and a plan for collaboration, according to federal scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who today announced a new toxicity testing agreement. The concept behind this agreement is highlighted in the Feb. 15, 2008 issue of the journal Science.

NIH/EPA Leading Scientists to Discuss New Chemical Testing Collaboration

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST

On Feb. 14, leading scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will discuss a new research collaboration related to U.S. environmental health protection. The collaboration creates a toxicity testing process using state-of-the-art robotic technologies that rely less on animals and more on cell-based tests and will generate data that are specifically applicable to humans.

Plan Expedites Alternatives to Animal Testing

Tue, 5 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST

A new plan to further reduce, refine and replace the use of animals in research and regulatory testing commonly referred to as the 3Rs was unveiled today at a symposium marking the 10-year anniversary of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM).

NIEHS Awards DISCOVER Grants

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 9:00:00 EST

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health, is awarding a total of $6.8 million for the first year of funding to three new research centers called DISCOVER - Disease Investigation Through Specialized Clinically-Oriented Ventures in Environmental Research.

Ozone Can Affect Heavier People More

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST

A new study provides the first evidence that people with higher body mass index (BMI) may have a greater response to ozone than leaner people.

Ron Melnick Receives Award from American Public Health Association

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 9:00:00 EST

NIEHS Selects Editor-In-Chief for Environmental Health Perspectives

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Hugh A. Tilson, Ph.D., a nationally recognized environmental health scientist, has been named the new editor-in-chief of Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), a journal published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Tilson will start at NIEHS Nov. 26, 2007 and will officially begin his new role as editor-in-chief Jan. 1, 2008. Since 1972, the NIEHS has published EHP to provide a worldwide forum for research and education on environmental health sciences.

Unique Pattern of Gene Expression Can Indicate Acetaminophen Overdose

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:00:00 EDT

In a new study, researchers found they could detect toxic levels of acetaminophen in laboratory animals by analyzing gene expression in the blood.

NIEHS Awards Outstanding New Environmental Scientists

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EST

Five-year grants totaling $3.5 million will go to seven exceptionally talented and creative investigators in the early stages of their careers, the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced today.

Folic Acid Lowers Blood Arsenic Levels in Bangladesh

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EST

A new study conducted in Bangladesh finds that folic acid supplements can dramatically lower blood arsenic levels in individuals chronically exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water.

NAS Report Offers New Tools to Assess Health Risks from Chemicals

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EST

Determining how thousands of chemicals found in the environment may be interacting with the genes in your body to cause disease is becoming easier because of a new field of science called toxicogenomics.

Genes, Environment and Health Initiative Invests In Genetic Studies, Environmental Monitoring Technologies: Studies Focus on Common Conditions, Personal Environmental Exposures

Mon, 04 Sep 2007 9:00:00 EST

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has selected the first projects to be funded as part of the Genes, Environment and Health Initiative (GEI), a unique collaboration between geneticists and environmental scientists.

Independent Panel to Evaluate Widely Used Chemical, Bisphenol A

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:00:00 EST

An independent panel of 15 scientists convened by the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR), of the NIEHS and National Toxicology Program, will review recent scientific data and reach conclusions regarding whether or not exposure to a commonly used chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA) is hazardous to human development or reproduction.

Lavender and Tea Tree Oils May Cause Breast Growth in Boys

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:00:00 EST

A study published in this week’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that repeated topical use of products containing lavender oil and/or tea tree oil may cause prepubertal gynecomastia, a rare condition resulting in enlarged breast tissue in boys prior to puberty, and for which a cause is seldom identified.

Folic Acid May Prevent Cleft Lip and Palate

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 10:00:00 EST

A new study finds that women who take folic acid supplements early in their pregnancy can substantially reduce their baby’s chances of being born with a facial cleft.