Environmental Factor - September 2018

Environmental Factor - September 2018

September 2018 The September issue reports a much broader role than previously thought for the well-researched p53 tumor suppressor; new findings on sleep and health disparities; recommended actions on air pollution and health in India; and much more. As always, we hope there is something for everyone. We welcome ideas for stories, as well as other feedback. Kelly Lenox, Editor in Chief 984-287-3281

Tour-de-force analysis sheds light on human tumor suppressor The critical cancer-fighting protein p53 plays a much broader role in human biology than previously thought, says a team from NIEHS. New five-year strategic plan builds on success The new NIEHS strategic plan updates the goals that guide priorities and leadership in environmental health science research. India’s air pollution, health burden get NIEHS attention NIEHS and international collaborators recommended actions to reduce India’s national health burden from air pollution.

Genetics and pollution drive severity of asthma symptoms Asthma patients with a certain genetic profile have worse symptoms after exposure to traffic pollution, according to a team led by NIEHS. New insights on pesticide exposure and autism Pregnant women with high levels of DDT in their blood are more likely to have children who develop autism, according to NIEHS grantees. PCE exposure linked to stillbirth risk, NIEHS grantee says An NIEHS grantee reported that women who drank water contaminated with the solvent PCE had double the rate of a certain type of stillbirth. Building data-competent scientists, training ideas explored Experts grappled with approaches to training environmental health scientists to make the most of big data at an NIEHS gathering in August. Two tenure-track researchers join NIEHS NIEHS Scientific Director Darryl Zeldin, M.D., welcomed two scientists to NIEHS — Anne Marie Jukic, Ph.D., and Joseph Rodriguez, Ph.D. NIEHS water and energy team wins DOE award The U.S. Department of Energy named four winners from NIEHS for outstanding efforts with the 2018 Federal Energy and Water Management Award. Feeding families, federal employees donate more NIEHS donated more than 3,360 lbs. of food and other items through Feds Feed Families, surpassing totals in each of the past two years. Are sleep-related health disparities linked to the home environment? Racial disparities in sleep and cardiometabolic health may have more to do with the environment than previously thought, says new study. Liver disease and environmental exposures Matthew Cave, M.D., discussed links between liver diseases and exposures to chemicals, such as vinyl chloride, in an NIEHS seminar. Sixty-five students showcase summer research projects As the 2018 Summer Intern Program ended, high school, undergraduate, and graduate students shared their research at a poster session. Documentary shows community, researchers collaborating for clean air A new documentary tells of a successful collaboration to stop diesel trucks from detouring through an urban New Jersey neighborhood. High-tech tool detects diet-cancer links Robert Turesky, Ph.D., uses noninvasive samples, such as hair, to find evidence of dietary exposure to certain carcinogens. Replacing animal testing — progress and challenges Environmental Factor spoke with Warren Casey, Ph.D., on progress and challenges in reducing and replacing animals in safety testing. Extramural papers of the month  •    Phthalate exposure before birth may hinder brain development •    Metabolism disrupted by night-shift sleep patterns •    Connection between genes, response to environmental chemicals •    Air pollution deaths linked to more air conditioning use Intramural papers of the month  •    NTP mines tissue archives for liver cancer mutations •    Characterizing the structure of substrate-bound DNA ligase IV •    The role of aprataxin in a rare neurodegenerative disorder •    Chromatin accessibility in the presence of steroids •    House dust bacteria differs between farming and nonfarming households