Environmental Factor

NIEHS Spotlight

Woychik named NIEHS deputy director

In a message to employees Dec. 2, NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., announced the appointment of Richard Woychik, Ph.D., as the Institute's deputy director.

Collman named extramural director

NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., reached another milestone in her quest to build a quality leadership team with the appointment of Gwen Collman, Ph.D.

NTP board reviews Biomolecular Screening Branch and Tox21

Predictive toxicology was the focus of the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) meeting Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at NIEHS.

Tice talks Tox21

As a follow up to the BSC review of his branch, chief Ray Tice, Ph.D., responded to several questions about Tox21 and its future directions.

Birnbaum addresses Mt. Sinai autism workshop

NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., was the keynote speaker at a scientific workshop at the New York Academy of Medicine Dec. 8.

Balbus reports on US federal climate change and health initiatives

NIEHS Senior Advisor for Public Health John Balbus, M.D., highlighted new collaborative efforts to address climate change and public health.

NIEHS holds public partners meeting

The annual NIEHS Public Interest Partners Meeting Dec. 9 in Washington, D.C., featured open discussions with NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D.

Clinical Research Unit enhances intramural research

In December, the CRU enrolled its 500th study participant and experienced its busiest week to date, with 42 people volunteering to take part in a clinical study.

NIEHS completes draft of metrics manual

Now available for public review, the new PEPH Evaluation Metrics Manual is designed to help grantees identify and measure their partnership work.

Oil spill update - NIEHS activities in the Gulf

The Gulf oil spill may be largely out of the headlines these days, but NIEHS continues its efforts to better understand the impact on the health of the people of the region.

NIEHS scientists join tour of Morehead Planetarium

NIEHS women scientists joined their colleagues for a special behindthe- scenes tour of the Morehead Planetarium at UNC-CH on Nov. 17.

Hughes represents NIEHS at White House forum

WETP Director Chip Hughes joined top-level policy and practice leaders Dec. 15 in Washington, D.C. for an historic collaboration on environmental justice issues.

NIEHS helps launch Healthy People 2020

The HHS Healthy People initiative looks to its third decade of striving for a society in which all people live longer, healthier lives.

Philbert named dean at Michigan

The University of Michigan announced the appointment of NIEHS grantee and former council member Martin Philbert, Ph.D., as dean of the School of Public Health.

 Back to top

Inside the Institute

NIEHS holds annual awards ceremony

NIEHS recognized employees' accomplishments at the 2010 NIEHS Awards Ceremony in Rodbell Auditorium Dec. 16, followed by the annual International Day celebration.

CFC has best year yet

2010 was a banner year for NIEHS participation in the Combined Federal Campaign, with a record total of $106,000 pledged.

 Back to top

NIEHS Papers of the Year

2010 Papers of the Year

Of the 2,900 papers published by NIEHS-supported researchers in 2010, 21 publications were chosen as Papers of the Year:

• Prenatal exposure to phthalates is associated with reduced masculine behavior in boys
• Obesity is a tumor promoter
• Fetal and early life exposures to BPA may increase the risk of cancer
• Mother's exposure to urban air pollutants affects children's cognitive abilities
• Researchers map the first human epigenome
• Living, breathing lung-on-a-chip
• Flame retardants linked to reduced human fertility
• Arsenic-related mortality in Bangladesh
• Genetic studies identify DNA sequences associated with lung function
• Acetaminophen-induced transcriptional changes predict liver injury
• Early-life exposures are linked to development of uterine fibroids
• Stem cell survival advantage toward arsenic drives malignant transformation
• Cholesterol trafficking linked to inflammatory response
• Genome instability due to ribonucleotide incorporation into DNA
• Gender differences in glucocorticoid-mediated inflammation
• Paused Pol II regulates gene activity
• Effects of low dose atrazine on pubertal timing and prostate development of male rats
• Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in liver tumors of oxazepam-exposed mice
• Useful immunohistochemical markers of tumor differentiation
• Arsenic, stem cells and the developmental basis of adult cancer
• Cancer in experimental animals exposed to arsenic and arsenic compounds

 Back to top

Science Notebook

Birnbaum presents Whittenberger Symposium keynote lecture

NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., added yet another laurel to her long list of honors with her keynote talk at the 13th James L. Whittenberger Symposium Dec. 17.

Aston-Jones explores the biology of addiction

Neurobiologist Gary Aston-Jones, Ph.D., discussed the role of orexin neurons in reward-seeking behavior and addiction during his Distinguished Lecture Nov. 23.

Novel small RNA molecules regulate stem cell self-renewal

Yale University School of Medicine researcher Haifan Lin, Ph.D., visited NIEHS recently to talk about exciting new discoveries he has made with stem cells.

Guest lecture underscores environmental links to autism

Environmental factors are likely among several contributors to the rapid rise in new cases of autism, according to guest lecturer Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Ph.D.

Crouch links RNase H to infectious and genetic diseases

A presentation by guest lecturer Robert Crouch, Ph.D. provided insight into an RNA cleaving enzyme, whose production he playfully called "the purpose in life."

Study proposes new paradigm for the field of environmental toxicology

A new NIEHS-funded paper offers insight into how organic pollutants impact the delivery of therapeutic drugs to the central nervous system.

Chatterjee wins Young Investigator Award

Visiting Fellow Saurabh Chatterjee, Ph.D., was recognized at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine.

Highlighting the role of nutrition in host susceptibility

The old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away picked up a Superfund twist during a half-day workshop Dec. 2 at the University of Kentucky.

Miller presents study on erionite exposure and mesothelioma

A collaborative effort in the U.S., including work by NIEHS Senior Medical Adviser Aubrey Miller, M.D., may be able to reduce exposure to a cancer-causing mineral.

Review emphasizes potential dangers of e-waste

A new NIEHS-funded analysis is sending a wake-up call on the emerging health concerns posed by electronic waste disposal practices worldwide.

Study finds mitochondrial dysfunction in autistic children

A new exploratory study funded in part by NIEHS finds that deficits in the ability to produce cellular energy are significantly more common in children with autism.

NIEHS to fund new mitochondrial dysfunction studies

A new funding opportunity announcement calls for projects to identify biomarkers for early detection of environmentally induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Casey presents at international meeting on alternatives for endocrine disruptors

NTP scientist Warren Casey, Ph.D., participated in an expert meeting to discuss in vitro methods for detecting substances that might interfere with normal hormone function.

New green safety testing methods available to identify ACD

NIEHS has endorsed two new alternative safety-testing methods to determine if chemicals and products may cause allergic skin reactions.

Stokes presents at international meeting on alternatives for vaccine testing

NTP scientist William Stokes, D.V.M., traveled to Germany to share recommendations for reducing, refining, and eventually replacing animal use for testing vaccines.

This month in EHP

With a vivid cover photo of a melting iceberg, the January issue of Environmental Health Perspectives revisits climate change.

Susan Amara to present distinguished lecture

The NIEHS 2010-2011 Distinguished Lecture Series returns to the fascinating world of neuroscience with its next talk Jan. 11 by neurobiologist Susan Amara, Ph.D.

 Back to top

Extramural Research

Extramural Papers of the Month

• BPA exposure and oocyte quality
• Freeway proximity and autism
• A simple sensor for explosive chemicals
• Blood DNA methylation related to heart disease and stroke

Intramural Research

Intramural Papers of the Month

• Paused Pol II regulates gene activity
• Estrogen receptor α has cell specific roles in the endometrium
• Involvement of human CYP epoxygenases in hypertension and kidney damage
• DNA polymerase delta replicates on lagging strand

 Back to top

Calendar of Upcoming Events

• January 4 (Offsite Event), in 103 Bryan Research Building on the campus of Duke University - Ion Channel Seminar Series with David Armstrong, Ph.D., presenting "Phosphorylopathies: Losing Control of Ion Channel Phosphorylation"
• January 10, in Rodbell Auditorium, 12:00-1:30 p.m. - Partnerships for Environmental Public Health - Measuring Partnership Activities: Release of the Evaluation Metrics Manual
• January 11, in Rodbell Auditorium, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Distinguished Lecture with Susan Amara, Ph.D., speaking on "The Ins and Outs of Neurotransmitter Transporters"
• January 11-13 (Offsite Event), at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley - NTP Workshop: Role of Environmental Chemicals in the Development of Diabetes and Obesity
• January 13, in Rall D450, 10:00-11:00 a.m. - Laboratory of Molecular Carcinogenesis Seminar Series with Sharon Dent, Ph.D., presenting "The Secret Lives of Histone Modifying Enzymes"
• January 19, in Rodbell Auditorium, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance featuring a presentation by North Carolina Rep. Mickey Michaux
• January 24, in Rodbell Auditorium, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Laboratory of Molecular Genetics Fellows Invited Guest Lecture with Yikang Rong, Ph.D., topic TBA
• January 25, online (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/774689450), 1:00-2:00 p.m. - Partnerships for Environmental Public Health - Overview of the Evaluation Metrics Manual (register (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/774689450))
• January 26, in Rodbell Auditorium, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - NTP Technical Reports and Special Emphasis Panels Meeting
• February 1 , in Rodbell Auditorium, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - NIEHS Centers for Disease Investigation through Specialized Clinically-Oriented Ventures in Environmental Research (DISCOVER) Conference: Presentations on Research Approach and Early Findings
• February 1 (Offsite Event), in Room 147, Nanaline Duke Building on the campus of Duke University, 12:30-1:30 p.m. - Tuesday Seminar Series with Mike Resnick, Ph.D., topic TBA

View More Events: NIEHS Public Calendar

 Back to top

The Environmental Factor is produced monthly by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/), Office of Communications and Public Liaison. The content 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)