In an effort looking for optimized air pollution control, scientists from Peking University have detected large variations in the composition and toxicity of ambient particles collected from 31 major Chinese cities located across varying latitudes. The results imply an urgent need to rethink the suitability of current air quality standard adopted, i.e., sole use of PM mass concentration.
Tag: Toxicity
Hyperhomocysteinemia Is Associated With a Myriad of Age-Related Illnesses: A Potential Role for Metal Toxicity
Section snippets Pathophysiology of Hyperhomocysteinemia and Relation to Heavy Metal Exposure Hyperhomocysteinemia is commonly caused by folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and/or vitamin B2 deficiencies due to either nutritional inadequacies or genetic predisposition.3 However, a number of other factors can influence or…
A genetic predisposition to alcohol use is not the same as a genetic destiny for alcohol misuse
There is a clear relationship between alcohol and neurodegeneration; for example, an alcohol use disorder correlates with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It is unclear, however, whether individual differences in brain structure and connectivity are risk factors for, or consequences of, alcohol use. New research exploring this relationship will be shared on Wednesday, 26 June 2024 at the 47th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Working Towards Toxic-Free AI
Unlike existing work, which relies on training data from social media examples, a new benchmark, named ToxicChat, is based on examples gathered from real-world interactions between users and an AI-powered chatbot. ToxicChat is able to weed out queries that use seemingly harmless language but are actually harmful, which would pass muster with most current models.
Flame-Retardant Chemicals May Increase Risk of Preterm Birth, Higher Birth Weight
Rutgers Health participated in a federal study that found certain organophosphate esters were linked to increased risk of early birth, especially in girls
Current estimates of Lake Erie algae toxicity may miss the mark
A new study analyzing toxins produced by Microcystis, the main type of cyanobacteria that compose the annual harmful algal bloom (HAB) in Lake Erie, suggests that the toxicity of the bloom may be overestimated in earlier warm months and underestimated later in the summer.
Toxic effects of pesticides on the marine microalga Skeletonema costatum and their biological degradation
Since in modern agricultural systems, large amounts of pesticides are applied to specific purposes such as weeding and insecticide, and most pesticides are eventually entering the ocean, however, the toxic effects of pesticides on marine microes are unlear.
New Research Shows That Bacteria Get “Hangry,” Too
The findings, published in Nature Microbiology, are particularly important in understanding how and why bacterial communities defer duties to certain cells – and could lead to new ways to tackle antibiotic tolerance further down the line.
Changing temperatures increase pesticide risk to bees
Temperature influences how badly pesticides affect bees’ behaviour, suggesting uncertain impacts under climate change, according to a new study.
FDA mandate to limit acetaminophen in acetaminophen-opioid medications is associated with reduced serious liver injury
A United States Food and Drug Administration mandate to limit the dosage of acetaminophen in pills that combine acetaminophen and opioid medications is significantly associated with subsequent reductions in serious liver injury.
UNC Researchers Tackle the E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use–associated Lung Injury (EVALI) Epidemic
Although doctors and researchers sympathize with smokers wanting to quit smoking, scientists are discovering that vaping might not be a healthier alternative to smoking, especially in adolescents. E-cigarette products have recently been linked to a new, serious lung condition known as E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-associated Lung Injury, or EVALI, which primarily affects youth and young adults. In 2019, the illness was declared an epidemic by the CDC.
Microplastics could make other pollutants more harmful
On their own, microplastics are potentially harmful, and it’s unclear what effect they could have on pollutants. Now, researchers reporting in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters show that, when attached to microplastics, UV filters in sunscreens can make chromium metal more toxic.
EPA grant to Wayne State to evaluate chemical mixture health risks
There are hidden metabolic health impacts in things that most people encounter every day. From surface cleaners to silicone wristbands, from fracking fluids to wastewater — even household dust — these diverse environmental mixtures have a potential to disrupt human health. A grant from the EPA to Wayne State University will evaluate the risks of chemical mixtures on health.
A Need to Consistently Characterize Aerosol Research Associated with E-cigarettes Is Featured in New Issue of ToxSci
Other featured research in October 2022 issue involves an exploration of a pharmacokinetic model for quantifying the mother-to-child transfer of environmental chemicals and how febuxostat may increase the risk for cardiovascular events by dysregulating calcium dynamics.
Carnegie Mellon University study finds toxicity in the open-source community varies from other internet forums
Trolls, haters, flamers and other ugly characters are, unfortunately, a fact of life across much of the internet. Their ugliness ruins social media networks and sites like Reddit and Wikipedia.
Long-Banned Toxic Chemicals Remain a Global Threat
A new analysis by researchers at Masaryk University, the University of Toronto, and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) has found most countries are not on track to remove their stocks of highly hazardous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by the 2028 deadline set forth in the Stockholm Convention, the global chemicals management treaty.
Scientists Detect Common Fungicide in Pregnant Women and Children
For the first time, UNC-Chapel Hill scientists have measured the concentration of a biomarker of the commonly used fungicide azoxystrobin in the urine of pregnant women and children. They also documented maternal transfer of the chemical to mouse embryos and weaning-age mice.
Pituitary Reproductive Regulatory Factors, Mercury Levels, and More Featured in November 2021 Toxicological Sciences
In the November 2021 issue, Toxicological Science features leading toxicology research in areas such as biomarkers, carcinogenesis, and environmental toxicology.
Innovation in Cancer Prevention – Bio-robots Transporting Cordyceps Extract
Chula researchers celebrate the success of Active Targeting, a revolutionary innovation in the medical industry using bio–robots to deliver targeted cordyceps extract to halt cancer with reduced side effects.
Metal Contamination, Gene Signatures, Bisphenol F, and More Featured in June 2021 Toxicological Sciences
Toxicological Sciences delivers the latest research in toxicology, in areas such as clinical and translational toxicology; emerging technologies, methods, and models; and environmental toxicology.
Researchers use modern techniques to unravel an 18th century mystery
The mysterious death of a young, 18th century socialite has inspired a research project which could yield new information about the dangers of lead exposure.
3D Printers May Be Toxic for Humans
Several studies that aim to characterize and quantify the release and composition, particle size, and residence time in the indoor environment will be presented in the Exposure and Risk Assessment of 3D Printing and Emerging Materials symposium on December 15, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET at the 2020 Society for Risk Analysis virtual Annual Meeting held December 13-17, 2020.
Agricultural Toxicity, Hepatic Effects of Phenobarbital, and More Featured in October 2020 Toxicological Sciences
Toxicological Sciences features leading research biotransformation, toxicokinetics, and pharmacokinetics; computational toxicology and databases; mixtures toxicology; and more in the October 2020 issue.
Bacteria Can Defuse Dangerous Chemical In Passaic River
Bacteria that can help defuse highly toxic dioxin in sediments in the Passaic River – a Superfund hazardous waste site – could eventually aid cleanup efforts at other dioxin-contaminated sites around the world, according to Rutgers scientists. Their research, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, needs further work to realize the full potential of the beneficial bottom-dwelling microbes.
How much fluorine is too much fluorine?
Research investigates how fluorine levels affect beneficial soil microbes
Xenobiotic Receptor Activation, CRISPR/Cas9, Magnetic Resonance-Guided Radiotherapy, and More Featured in May 2020 Toxicological Sciences
During these difficult times, the Society of Toxicology’s official journal, Toxicological Sciences, remains a source for leading research in toxicology, including in the areas of biomarkers, carcinogenesis, and organ-specific toxicology.
Toxicological Research on E-cigarettes, PFAS, Cannabinoids, Wildfires, and More to Be Presented during the SOT 59th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo
With 80+ Featured and Scientific Sessions and 2,000+ presentations showcasing advances in fundamental and translational sciences and emerging disciplines and technologies, the 59th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo of the Society of Toxicology is the largest forum for toxicological research in the world.
Mechanisms of Chronic Fialuridine Hepatotoxicity; Comparison of Models for Predicting Cardiotoxicity in Humans; and More Featured in October 2019 Toxicological Sciences
Papers on the epigenetic changes to mouse livers induced by a specific ligand and prenatal dexamethasone exposure-induced alterations in neurobehavior in female rat offspring are featured in latest issue of Toxicological Sciences.