Science researchers at the Washington State University, Pullman have recently been able to link patients' ancestors' exposure to the pesticide methoxychlor with adult onset kidney disease, ovarian disease and obesity in the patient him or herself.
“What your great-grandmother was exposed to during pregnancy, like the pesticide methoxychlor, may promote a dramatic increase in your susceptibility to develop disease, and you will pass this on to your grandchildren in the absence of any continued exposures,” said Michael Skinner, a WSU Pullman scientist.
Methoxychlor was used on crops and domesticated animals starting in the late 1940s as a replacement for DDT. When exposure to the pesticide was tested on rats, science researchers at Washington State University, Pullman witnessed increases in the occurance of kidney disease, ovary disease and obesity in offspring for up to three generations. Dr. Skinner says that older generations' exposure to methoxychlor in North America may be one reason for today’s increasing rates of obesity and disease.
WSU Pullman scientists also recently received a $1.1 million science research grant for a Behavioral Health Collaborative for Rural American Indian Communities. The research funding was awarded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, a center within the National Institutes of Health, to the School of Nursing at Washington State University, Pullman.
The project leader for this latest science research grant is WSU Pullman scientist Dr. John Roll. Dr. Roll is a faculty appointee in the WSU Departments of Nursing, Psychology, Neuroscience, Prevention Science and Health Policy Administration. He also works in the Washington State University School of Medicine- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience. Dr. Roll’s research interests include human behavioral pharmacology and the development of behavioral interventions for addiction and other psychiatric disorders.
Dr. John Roll
Image courtesy of WSU Pullman
“Our aim is to directly contribute to improved mental health and reduced substance abuse in rural American Indian (Al) communities through scientifically rigorous and culturally accurate development and dissemination of prevention and intervention strategies. This work will improve quality of life for rural Al populations, which experience dramatic behavioral health inequities,” states the NIH Project Information page. “The BHCRAIC will pursue an integrated, multi-faceted research program that capitalizes on several large, well-organized, existing efforts. This Collaborative will benefit fro numerous new and well-established, mutually respectful relationships in addressing issues deemed important in behavioral health. Sound scientific approaches are linked with a community-based participatory perspective to create a transdisciplinary research program of the highest caliber for rural Al community members, patients, clinicians, researchers, and health policymakers.”
Research scientists at Washington State University, Pullman receive large amounts of science research funding on a yearly basis. In 2013, the National Science Foundation awarded Washington State University $18 million in science research grants. Of this funding, $5.4 million went towards life science projects alone. The top-funded life science research project was titled “Emergence, transmission and evolution of Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease” and received $1.7 million in funding.
Biotechnology Calendar, Inc.'s BioResearch Product Faire™ Event at Washington State University will take place on October 29th, 2014. Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. has been organizing life science marketing events for over 20 years. To exhibit at a show in other regions of the U.S., we encourage you to view the 2014 calendar of events. For more funding information on Washington State University, Pullman, or to learn more about the WSU Pullman life science vendor show, click on the button below.
