scholarly journals Sustainable exposure prevention through innovative detection and remediation technologies from the NIEHS Superfund Research Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather F. Henry ◽  
William A. Suk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Toxicity Screening

Abstract Innovative devices and tools for exposure assessment and remediation play an integral role in preventing exposure to hazardous substances. New solutions for detecting and remediating organic, inorganic, and mixtures of contaminants can improve public health as a means of primary prevention. Using a public health prevention model, detection and remediation technologies contribute to primary prevention as tools to identify areas of high risk (e.g. contamination hotspots), to recognize hazards (bioassay tests), and to prevent exposure through contaminant cleanups. Primary prevention success is ultimately governed by the widespread acceptance of the prevention tool. And, in like fashion, detection and remediation technologies must convey technical and sustainability advantages to be adopted for use. Hence, sustainability – economic, environmental, and societal – drives innovation in detection and remediation technology. The National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) is mandated to advance innovative detection, remediation, and toxicity screening technology development through grants to universities and small businesses. SRP recognizes the importance of fast, accurate, robust, and advanced detection technologies that allow for portable real-time, on-site characterization, monitoring, and assessment of contaminant concentration and/or toxicity. Advances in non-targeted screening, biological-based assays, passive sampling devices (PSDs), sophisticated modeling approaches, and precision-based analytical tools are making it easier to quickly identify hazardous “hotspots” and, therefore, prevent exposures. Innovation in sustainable remediation uses a variety of approaches: in situ remediation; harnessing the natural catalytic properties of biological processes (such as bioremediation and phytotechnologies); and application of novel materials science (such as nanotechnology, advanced membranes, new carbon materials, and materials reuse). Collectively, the investment in new technologies shows promise to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances in the environment. This manuscript highlights SRP funded innovative devices and tools for exposure assessment and remediation of organic, inorganic, and mixtures of contaminants with a particular focus on sustainable technologies.

scholarly journals The application of science and technology development in shaping current and future aquaculture production systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 149 (S1) ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. BOSTOCK
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Business Structures ◽  
Food Needs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Substantial Change

SUMMARYAquaculture development over the past 50 years has been facilitated largely by the application of science and the introduction of new technologies. Although aquaculture is a very diverse sector in products, production systems and business structures, almost every activity has benefited from scientific advances. However, the impact of technological progress is most clearly seen where there has also been substantial industrial consolidation. This has provided greater capital resources for investment and a more attractive market for suppliers of innovations to target. It has also encouraged consolidation of research capacity and stronger articulation between private and publicly funded research efforts. Further development along current trajectories is possible through advances in genomics, information technology, materials science and other areas. However, there may also be substantial disruptions if, for instance, energy becomes much more expensive, or large mono-cultures are impacted by climate change. Substantial change could also be driven by policies that aim at bringing realistic external costs of environmental services into company accounts. Research into more resilient aquaculture systems that comply more with ecological than financial accounting principles is under way, but will require substantial development to meet the challenges of rising food needs and social aspirations.

scholarly journals The Importance of Community Engagement and Research Translation within the NIEHS Superfund Research Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (17) ◽  
pp. 3067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany A. Trottier ◽  
Danielle J. Carlin ◽  
Michelle L. Heacock ◽  
Heather F. Henry ◽  
William A. Suk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Research Translation ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Environmental Health Sciences ◽  
History Of ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Use Of Research

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program (SRP) funds university-based, solution-oriented research to understand how hazardous substances contribute to disease and how to prevent exposures to these hazardous substances. A unique aspect of the SRP is that, beyond the biomedical, environmental sciences, and engineering research projects, SRP-funded centers are required to include community engagement to build partnerships with affected communities and research translation to communicate and facilitate the use of research findings. The SRP views both as effective ways to inform and advance science for protection of public health. The purpose of community engagement within the centers is to ensure bidirectional communication between the researchers and the community, identify best practices and activities in community engagement for prevention and intervention activities, enhance knowledge, and support the needs of the communities impacted by hazardous waste sites. The SRP views research translation as communicating and facilitating the use of research findings emanating from the center in a manner most appropriate for their application and for the advancement of a center’s research objectives. The SRP has a strong history of seeking opportunities to work with communities and stakeholders, by translating and sharing research findings in an impactful and informative manner with long-lasting benefits to improve public health.

Benefits of basic research from the Superfund Research Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-109
Author(s):  
William A. Suk ◽  
Michelle L. Heacock ◽  
Brittany A. Trottier ◽  
Sara M. Amolegbe ◽  
Maureen D. Avakian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
The Body ◽  
Transdisciplinary Research ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Research Projects

AbstractThe National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Hazardous Substances Basic Research and Training Program [Superfund Research Program (SRP)] funds transdisciplinary research projects spanning the biomedical and environmental sciences to address issues related to potentially hazardous substances. We used a case study approach to identify how SRP-funded basic biomedical research has had an impact on society. We examined how transdisciplinary research projects from the SRP have advanced knowledge and led to additional clinical, public health, policy, and economic benefits. SRP basic biomedical research findings have contributed to the body of knowledge and influenced a broad range of scientific disciplines. It has informed the development of policies and interventions to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants to improve public health. Research investments by the SRP have had a significant impact on science, health, and society. Documenting the benefits of these investments provides insight into how basic research is translated to real-world applications.

Strengthening of occupational health promotion by the German Prevention Health Care Act

2019 ◽  
pp. 188-190
Author(s):  
Diana Hart
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Occupational Health Promotion ◽  
And Control

All countries are faced with the problem of the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCD): implement prevention strategies eff ectively, keep up the momentum with long term benefi ts at the individual and the population level, at the same time tackling hea lth inequalities. Th e aff ordability of therapy and care including innovative therapies is going to be one of the key public health priorities in the years to come. Germany has taken in the prevention and control of NCDs. Germany’s health system has a long history of guaranteeing access to high-quality treatment through universal health care coverage. Th r ough their membership people are entitled to prevention and care services maintaining and restoring their health as well as long term follow-up. Like in many other countries general life expectancy has been increasing steadily in Germany. Currently, the average life expectancy is 83 and 79 years in women and men, respectively. Th e other side of the coin is that population aging is strongly associated with a growing burden of disease from NCDs. Already over 70 percent of all deaths in Germany are caused by four disease entities: cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. Th ese diseases all share four common risk factors: smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of physical activity and overweight. At the same time, more and more people become long term survivors of disease due to improved therapy and care. Th e German Government and public health decision makers are aware of the need for action and have responded by initiating and implementing a wide spectrum of activities. One instrument by strengthening primary prevention is the Prevention Health Care Act. Its overarching aim is to prevent NCDs before they can manifest themselves by strengthening primary prevention and health promotion in diff erent sett ings. One of the main emphasis of the Prevention Health Care Act is the occupational health promotion at the workplace.

Globalization and Biotechnology: UNESCO and an International Strategy to Advance Human Rights and Public Health

1999 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-541
Author(s):  
Allyn L. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Genetic Screening ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Genome Project ◽  
Biomedical Science ◽  
International Strategy ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Privacy And Confidentiality

The global Human Genome Project (HGP) promises dramatic advances in biomedical science and in identifying and treating diseases and illnesses that exact an enormous toll on people throughout the world. The HGP portends a conceptual revolution in health care: many foresee a new “predictive medicine” based on the development of genetic screening, testing and gene therapy.Although advances in genetic science create the potential for dramatic progress against disease in rich and poor states, they also pose profound national and global policy concerns, including the potential impact of the scientific developments on human rights and public health. The development of more precise genetic information raises the specter of genetic discrimination by public and private sectors in all nations with access to the new technologies. In addition, nations will grapple increasingly with the appropriate balance between screening for and treatment of genetic diseases in order to promote public health and protect individual rights to privacy and confidentiality. Genetic screening and services also raise human rights questions relating to equitable resource allocation and the protection of public health.

scholarly journals Hydropower, Geothermal, and Ocean Energy

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph E.H. Sims
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Ocean Energy ◽  
Improve Design ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Improve Reliability

AbstractSome forms of renewable energy have long contributed to electricity generation, whereas others are just emerging. For example, large-scale hydropower is a mature technology generating about 16% of global electricity, and many smaller scale systems are also being installed worldwide. Future opportunities to improve the technology are limited but include upgrading of existing plants to gain greater performance efficiencies and reduced maintenance. Geothermal energy, widely used for power generation and direct heat applications, is also mature, but new technologies could improve plant designs, extend their lifetimes, and improve reliability. By contrast, ocean energy is an emerging renewable energy technology. Design, development, and testing of a myriad of devices remain mainly in the research and development stage, with many opportunities for materials science to improve design and performance, reduce costly maintenance procedures, and extend plant operating lifetimes under the harsh marine environment.

Self Assembling Nanostructured Delivery Vehicles for Biochemically Reactive Pairs

1994 ◽  
Vol 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nir Kossovsky ◽  
A. Gelman ◽  
H.J. Hnatyszyn ◽  
E. Sponsler ◽  
G.-M. Chow
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Carbon Ceramic

ABSTRACTIntrigued by the deceptive simplicity and beauty of macromolecular self-assembly, our laboratory began studying models of self-assembly using solids, glasses, and colloidal substrates. These studies have defined a fundamental new colloidal material for supporting members of a biochemically reactive pair.The technology, a molecular transportation assembly, is based on preformed carbon ceramic nanoparticles and self assembled calcium-phosphate dihydrate particles to which glassy carbohydrates are then applied as a nanometer thick surface coating. This carbohydrate coated core functions as a dehydroprotectant and stabilizes surface immobilized members of a biochemically reactive pair. The final product, therefore, consists of three layers. The core is comprised of the ceramic, the second layer is the dehydroprotectant carbohydrate adhesive, and the surface layer is the biochemically reactive molecule for which delivery is desired.We have characterized many of the physical properties of this system and have evaluated the utility of this delivery technology in vitro and in animal models. Physical characterization has included standard and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron and x-ray diffraction and ζ potential analysis. Functional assays of the ability of the system to act as a nanoscale dehydroprotecting delivery vehicle have been performed on viral antigens, hemoglobin, and insulin. By all measures at present, the favorable physical properties and biological behavior of the molecular transportation assembly point to an exciting new interdisciplinary area of technology development in materials science, chemistry and biology.

SERS Substrate Fabrication for Biochemical Sensing: towards Point-of-Care Diagnostics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojia Liu ◽  
Jiuchuan Guo ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
Shikun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Sers Substrate ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Biochemical Sensing ◽  
Point Of Care Diagnostics ◽  
Increasing Demand

Rapid technology development and economic growth have brought attention to public health issues, such as food safety and environmental pollution, which creates an ever-increasing demand for fast and portable sensing...

Zoom; or, Obsolescence

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-200
Author(s):  
W.B. Worthen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Electronic Media ◽  
Theatrical Production ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
The Public

The signal modality of theatrical production during the pandemic crisis of 2020–21 has been Zoom theatre. While Zoom theatre responds to public health concerns regarding virus transmission, it also articulates a vision of performance at the intersection of the public and the private, at the juncture between theatre and electronic media, and as a representation of theatre as a humanizing technology. Theatre has suggestively foregrounded new technologies under the sign of obsolescence, and in the affective register of nostalgia.

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