Arsenic News and Research

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Arsenic is a naturally occurring element widely distributed in the earth’s crust. In the environment, arsenic is combined with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur to form inorganic arsenic compounds. Arsenic in animals and plants combines with carbon and hydrogen to form organic arsenic compounds.

Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic can give you a sore throat or irritated lungs.

Ingesting very high levels of arsenic can result in death. Exposure to lower levels can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of “pins and needles” in hands and feet.

Ingesting or breathing low levels of inorganic arsenic for a long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small “corns” or “warts” on the palms, soles, and torso.

Pollutants appear to weaken immune system and increase pathogen virulence

Many people view pollutants and pathogens as separate causes of illness. However, recent research indicates that the two can interact, changing how people and animals respond to infectious diseases.

21 Mar 2019

$2.7 million grant supports UIC researchers to study role of arsenic in development of diabetes

A five-year, $2.7 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences will help researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago answer basic questions about the role of arsenic in the development of diabetes and examine the mechanisms by which selenoproteins – found in the human body in 25 different forms – counter the effects of arsenic.

11 Mar 2019

Material used to filter beer and wine could transfer heavy metals to it

A frosty mug of beer or ruby-red glass of wine just wouldn't be the same if the liquid was murky or gritty. That's why producers of alcoholic beverages usually filter them.

20 Feb 2019

Megaphages detected in the intestinal tract of humans who eat high-fiber, low-fat diet

Viruses plague bacteria just as viruses like influenza plague humans. Some of the largest of these so-called bacteriophages have now been found in the human gut, where they periodically devastate bacteria just as seasonal outbreaks of flu lay humans low, according to a new study led by University of California, Berkeley, scientists.

29 Jan 2019

Free screening for lung cancer can save money while building healthy relationship with patients

A free, simple screening for lung cancer can save a patient money, while building a healthy relationship for any medical needs they may have in the future.

24 Jan 2019

Gut microbes play important role in protecting against arsenic toxicity, research shows

Research conducted at Montana State University shows that microbes in the human gut play an important role in protecting against arsenic toxicity, a problem that affects an estimated 200 million people who are exposed to arsenic through contaminated drinking water.

4 Jan 2019

Study reveals urban and rural differences in prenatal exposure to essential and toxic elements

New findings from a team of Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine researchers reveal urban and rural differences in prenatal exposure to essential and toxic elements.

13 Dec 2018

Mercury is not well detoxified by yelloweye rockfish, researchers find

It takes six months to get really good at accurately gauging the age of yelloweye rockfish. Because they can live for up to 120 years, this species is of particular interest to Benjamin Barst and scientists like him who study the effects of toxic chemicals on living organisms.

21 Nov 2018

EMA recommends first all-oral treatment to tackle deadly sleeping sickness

The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has adopted a positive scientific opinion of fexinidazole, the first all-oral treatment that has been shown to be efficacious for both stages of sleeping sickness.

16 Nov 2018

Nexus announces availability of Arsenic Trioxide Injection in the US

Nexus Pharmaceuticals announced today the immediate availability in the United States for Arsenic Trioxide Injection. Nexus Pharmaceuticals' Arsenic Trioxide Injection is available as 10 mg per 10 mL vial for injection.

16 Nov 2018

Study shows novel strategy to reduce breast cancer bone metastasis

Uncovering a novel mechanism that promotes growth of breast cancer bone metastasis has revealed a potential Achilles' heel for these cancer cells. Reported in the journal Cancer Cell, the study shows that interfering with this mechanism can reduce the risk of relapses in animal models.

12 Nov 2018

MDI Biological Laboratory receives $1.2 million SEPA grant to promote data literacy

The MDI Biological Laboratory will take a national lead in teaching data literacy to students and teachers though a five-year, $1.2 million SEPA grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, an institute of the National Institutes of Health.

15 Oct 2018

Cobalt mining in DR Congo takes a high toll on both creuseurs and environment

In past years, the demand for cobalt has been on the increase due to its many applications. For one thing, the metal is a crucial component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for smartphones and electric cars.

20 Sep 2018

Combination of arsenic and existing leukemia drug may combat cancer

Investigators have discovered that arsenic in combination with an existing leukemia drug work together to target a master cancer regulator.

9 Aug 2018

World Lung Cancer Day: FIRS commemorates and supports lung cancer patients

On World Lung Cancer Day, the American Thoracic Society, alongside members of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies commemorate and support those impacted by lung cancer.

1 Aug 2018

Scientists find link between soil metals and cancer mortality

Spanish epidemiologists and geologists have found associations between esophageal cancer and soils where lead is abundant, lung cancer and terrains with increased copper content, brain tumor with areas rich in arsenic, and bladder cancer with high cadmium levels.

20 Apr 2018

UIC researchers examine how arsenic affects development of diabetes

A five-year, $2.7 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences will help researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago answer basic questions about the role of arsenic in the development of diabetes and examine the mechanisms by which selenoproteins - found in the human body in 25 different forms - counter the effects of arsenic.

9 Mar 2018