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Illustration of a baby and mom looking at a family photo
Infographic: Questions Linger About Epigenetic Inheritance
Some studies suggest that associations between the health of children and the experiences of their parents or grandparents may be due to epigenetic mechanisms, but confounding factors challenge this interpretation.
Infographic: Questions Linger About Epigenetic Inheritance
Infographic: Questions Linger About Epigenetic Inheritance

Some studies suggest that associations between the health of children and the experiences of their parents or grandparents may be due to epigenetic mechanisms, but confounding factors challenge this interpretation.

Some studies suggest that associations between the health of children and the experiences of their parents or grandparents may be due to epigenetic mechanisms, but confounding factors challenge this interpretation.

environmental exposure

Arial view of a water canal winding through a forest and spilling into the ocean.
Garbage to Guts: The Slow-Churn of Plastic Waste
Iris Kulbatski, PhD | Mar 13, 2023 | 4 min read
The winding trail of environmental microplastics is leading researchers to the human digestive ecosystem.
Illustration showing two hands join, father or mother with child
Does Human Epigenetic Inheritance Deserve a Closer Look?
Catherine Offord | Apr 4, 2022 | 10+ min read
The concept of epigenetic inheritance has long been controversial. Some researchers hope that new data on cross-generational effects of environmental exposures will help settle the debate.
babies
Sex Ratios at Birth Linked to Pollutants
Chloe Tenn | Dec 3, 2021 | 2 min read
A large, long-term study across the US and Sweden finds potential correlations between specific pollutants and the proportions of male and female babies born.
Ionizing Radiation sign near Chernobyl nuclear power plant zone of alienation, Ukraine
New Chernobyl Initiative Aims to Boost Research on the Area
Stefan Weichert | Sep 1, 2021 | 5 min read
Sergii Mirnyi, one of the people who helped clean up after the 1986 disaster, says he founded Chornobyl University to promote much-needed interdisciplinary research on the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
The Epigenetic Origins of Allergy and Asthma
The Scientist Speaks Ep. 15 - The Epigenetic Origins of Allergy and Asthma
The Scientist’s Creative Services Team | Feb 26, 2021 | 1 min read
Epigenetic marks acquired from environmental exposures throughout life influence human health and may even transcend generations.
Infographic: How Air Pollution Could Affect the Brain
Catherine Offord | Oct 1, 2019 | 2 min read
Evidence is accumulating that breathing contaminated air might impair cognition.
Air Pollution May Damage People’s Brains
Catherine Offord | Oct 1, 2019 | 10+ min read
Contaminants in the atmosphere appear to have harmful effects on neurodevelopment and cognitive function.
New Woes for MIT Media Lab
Ashley Yeager | Sep 24, 2019 | 3 min read
Researchers say the Open Agricultural Initiative promoted a high-profile project with misleading claims, and documents show it violated state environmental regulations.
firefighters emergency responders 9/11 world trade center terrorist attacks september 11, 2001 obstructive airway disease pulmonary function lung health metabolites diet omega-3 fatty acids
Metabolites May Predict Lung Injury in 9/11 First Responders
Emma Yasinski | Sep 3, 2019 | 3 min read
Firefighters who didn’t develop obstructive airway disease after the World Trade Center attacks had higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and other factors that hint at possible protective effects of diet.
Sunscreen Ingredients Absorbed into Blood: Study
Catherine Offord | May 7, 2019 | 2 min read
FDA researchers report that multiple active ingredients wind up in users’ bloodstream and recommend toxicology testing to investigate the clinical significance of the findings.
A Vast Majority of the World’s Population Breathes Unsafe Air
Catherine Offord | Apr 17, 2018 | 2 min read
A new report estimates that 95 percent of people live in areas with dangerously high levels of fine particulate matter such as dust and soot.
Nasser Zawia: An American Scientist Born in Yemen
Bob Grant | Mar 23, 2017 | 4 min read
The University of Rhode Island neurotoxicologist and dean came to the U.S. for college in the 1980s. 
Avoiding Endocrine Disruptors Drops Diabetes Risk: Study
Kerry Grens | Oct 27, 2016 | 2 min read
Based on epidemiological data, researchers estimate that reducing exposures to certain environmental chemicals could drop people’s chances of developing the disease.
CDC to Track Algal Blooms
Bob Grant | Jun 23, 2016 | 1 min read
The federal agency launches a new system to collect nationwide data on outbreaks of harmful algae and associated health problems.
Animal-Free Toxicity Testing
Anna Azvolinsky | Jan 26, 2016 | 4 min read
Scientists debut a system that can quickly test the toxicity of thousands of compounds in vitro.
Obesogens
Kerry Grens | Nov 1, 2015 | 10+ min read
Low doses of environmental chemicals can make animals gain weight. Whether they do the same to humans is a thorny issue.
Fat Factors
Kerry Grens | Oct 31, 2015 | 1 min read
A mouse's exposure to certain environmental chemicals can lead the animal—and its offspring and grandoffspring—to be overweight.
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