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Research Briefs by Year: 2020

Superfund Research Program

  • 301 - Cadmium Exposure Impairs Production of Neurons Responsible for Learning and Memory -- Xia
    Release Date: 01/08/2020

    A new study funded by the Superfund Research Program (SRP) shows cadmium exposure can impair new neurons from forming and maturing in the hippocampus region of the brain. Led by Zhengui Xia, Ph.D., the researchers at the University of Washington (UW) SRP Center also found that cadmium can lead to the death of stem cells that produce these neurons. In people, learning and memory formation depends on the production of new neurons in this region of the brain.

  • 302 - PAH and Hypoxia Exposure Result in Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Fish -- Di Giulio
    Release Date: 02/05/2020

    Zebrafish exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water with inadequate oxygen, or hypoxia, can experience a broad range of effects on the mitochondria, according to an NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP)-funded study. Changes to the function and integrity of mitochondria, which are organelles that make energy for the cell, can disrupt metabolism and reduce organism fitness and performance.

  • 303 - High-Fiber Diet May Protect Against Harmful Health Effects of PCBs -- Hennig
    Release Date: 03/04/2020

    Two new NIEHS-funded Superfund Research Program (SRP) studies showed how a type of dietary fiber, inulin, may protect against heart disease, including heart disease resulting from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). According to University of Kentucky SRP Center researchers, a diet high in inulin may reduce or modify certain lipids associated with an increased chance of developing cardiovascular problems and may protect against adverse cardiovascular effects caused by environmental toxicants.

  • 304 - Electrochemical System Degrades PCE in Groundwater -- Alshawabkeh
    Release Date: 04/01/2020

    An electrochemical system can effectively break down tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in groundwater, according to a new study from the NIEHS-funded Northeastern University Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center. After testing different design parameters to determine the best conditions for degrading PCE, the researchers achieved 86% removal of the contaminant from groundwater sources.

  • 305 - Arsenic Complicates Groundwater Bioremediation -- Alvarez-Cohen
    Release Date: 05/06/2020

    A common groundwater contaminant, trichloroethene (TCE), can be reduced by certain bacteria, a process known as bioremediation. But, according to a new NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) study, this process may stall when arsenic is present. TCE, a widely used industrial solvent, pollutes groundwater from improper handling practices.

  • 306 - Three-Dimensional Cell Model Enhances DNA Damage Testing -- Engelward
    Release Date: 06/03/2020

    Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center scientists developed a new platform, known as the SpheroidChip analysis method, to rapidly test for DNA damage in three-dimensional (3D) cell models. Development was led by Bevin Engelward, Sc.D., at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

  • 307 - Clay Layers May Worsen Arsenic Contamination -- van Geen
    Release Date: 07/08/2020

    Layers of clay are widely thought to protect groundwater aquifers from above-ground contaminants. But according to a new NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) study, these clay layers may play a role in increasing groundwater arsenic contamination.

  • 308 - Using Fungi to Clean up Contaminated Soil -- Gunsch
    Release Date: 08/05/2020

    Native fungal communities point to a new way of cleaning up contaminated soil. After conducting a study to characterize fungi found in soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), researchers at the NIEHS-funded Superfund Research Program at Duke University discovered a group of fungi that may be promising for remediation.

  • 309 - Treating Water with Chemical Oxidation May Produce Harmful By-Products -- Sedlak
    Release Date: 09/02/2020

    Chemical oxidation is a process commonly used to treat water contaminated with aromatic compounds like benzene. But, unexpected and potentially harmful breakdown products may result from this treatment process, according to a recent study from the NIEHS-funded University of California, Berkeley Superfund Research Program Center.

  • 310 - New Tool Monitors a Flame Retardant in Sediment -- Hammock
    Release Date: 10/07/2020

    Researchers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center developed a new, inexpensive tool to reliably detect small amounts of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in environmental samples. TBBPA is a flame retardant commonly found in household dust, soil, water, sewage, sludge, and sediments.

  • 311 - Edible Sorbents May Protect Against Metal Toxicity -- Phillips
    Release Date: 11/04/2020

    A new study from NIEHS-funded Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center researchers suggests that edible sorbents may be an effective treatment to reduce heavy metal exposure from consumption of contaminated water and food. According to the researchers, this is the first evidence that edible sorbents can bind heavy metal mixtures and protect against their toxicity in a living organism.

  • 312 - Improved Sequencing Method Leads to Advancements in Toxicology Research -- Zacharewski
    Release Date: 12/02/2020

    NIEHS-funded Superfund Research Program (SRP) scientists are employing a new RNA sequencing method to assess mechanisms of toxicity on a finer and more accessible scale. Researchers in SRP grantee Tim Zacharewski's Lab at the Michigan State University (MSU) SRP Center conducted the study.

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