In this new weekly feature, we’ll be sharing the SOT member research, interviews, and more that we’ve been highlighting over the past week on SOT’s various communication channels, such as the website, Facebook, and Twitter. We’ll also be sharing some of the top headlines and articles related to toxicology and science that came across our computer screens throughout the week. So without further adieu, let’s take a look at this week’s hot topics.
SOT Member Research
The research of Gary Miller’s Emory University Rollins School of Public Health laboratory into connections between alterations to the storage of the neurotransmitter dopamine Parkinson’s disease is featured in NIEHS’ Environmental Factor newsletter. Since environmental pollutants such as PCBs are known to inhibit dopamine and are connected to Parkinson’s, Dr. Miller’s team hopes their research leads to new insights on the disease.
Volume 48, Issue 5 of Environmental Science & Technology contains research from the Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology of the University of Southern Maine. Carolyne Falank, James T. F. Wise, John Pierce Wise, Jr., John Pierce Wise, Sr., Sandra S. Wise, and Hong Xie all contributed to the article, which looks at chromium and nickel concentrations in Gulf of Mexico populations of Bryde’s and sperm whales to determine potential effects from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Super lice are on the rise according to research by J. Marshall Clark and his team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Detroit Free Press interviews Dr. Clark about the newly published research, which details that 99.6 percent of lice tested between 2007 and 2009 were genetically resistant to the pyrethrin- and permethrin-based chemicals most frequently used to treat them.
Scientists around the country are investigating bisphenol A (BPA) and its effect on the endocrine system. The 2014 Special Issue of Johns Hopkins School of Public Health magazine shines a spotlight on the work of Julie Goodman, James D. Yager, Thomas Hartung, and DeLisa Fairweather, who are each studying unique aspects of the controversial subject.
SOT Member Interview
Tina Bahadori is interviewed by US EPA’s Science Matters blog. A choice quote: “We squash the American Dream when we deprive our children of a healthy environment in which they can thrive.”
Science Headlines
· Notre Dame Chemists Discover New Class of Antibiotics (University of Notre Dame)
· Bracelets Can Detect People's Chemical Exposures (Environmental Health News)
· FDA, Cosmetics Industry Remain at Odds Over Outdated Regulations (The Washington Post)
· Patience Wearing Thin on Chemical Safety Push (The Hill)
· Groups sue EPA to Force it to Move on Pesticide Disclosures (Reuters)
· Cities Take the Lead in Regulating Electronic Cigarettes (NPR)
· Almost 500 Foods Contain the “Yoga Mat” Compound. Should We Care? (NPR)
· Deconstructing Inherently Safer Technology (Chemical & Engineering News)
· Controversy Clouds E-Cigarettes (Chemical & Engineering News)
To stay abreast of these types of items throughout the week, be sure you “like” SOT on Facebook and “follow” SOT on Twitter.
Have news or research you want featured in the future? Send me an email.