Special Topics Why synthetic chemicals seem more toxic than natural ones 24 Aug 2019December 7, 2019 This post was originally published in Aeon Magazine. I wrote this article in the hope that it addresses the disproportionate fear that many people associate with chemicals, and to also…
Recent News How hormones in lakes harm aquatic life 13 May 2019November 3, 2019 This post was originally published in Envirobites Article: Kidd KA, Paterson MJ, Rennie MD, Podemski CL, Findlay DL, Blanchfield PJ, Liber K. 2014 Direct and indirect responses of a freshwater…
Tox21 Understand-omics 15 Apr 2019November 3, 2019 I must confess, when I first heard about omics, I didn't grasp it. It seemed complicated, but I assure you that it is far from it! Omics is an exciting…
Tox21 Pathway-based toxicology 19 Feb 2019December 29, 2021 Featured image: A ripple effect on water. Image source: Sergiu Bacioiu from Romania [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)] Think about the ripple effect. Where one thing causes a series of other…
Tox21 How toxicology needs to change 26 Jan 2019December 29, 2021 Featured image: A change is coming? Image source: Amman Wahab Nizamani [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons We spoke in some length about why toxicology needs to change. There…
Recent News How climate change can alter the toxicity of chemicals 10 Jan 2019November 3, 2019 This post was originally published in Envirobites Introduction We know climate change can affect our health in a multitude of ways— like by increasing rates of many diseases and temperature-related…
Tox21 Why toxicology needs to change 7 Jan 2019December 29, 2021 Featured image: Chemicals and drugs are often tested on rats and mice. Photo source: NIH National Cancer Institute Like most people, you may have suffered from a common cold, headache…
Tox21 What this section (Tox21) hopes to achieve 28 Dec 2018December 29, 2021 Featured image: The report which changed toxicology. Image source: National Academy of Sciences The field of toxicology has been around for centuries. But in our modern world, it is more…
Basics of Toxicology Estimating risk to non-humans 28 Dec 2018December 29, 2021 Featured image: Due to their pollination services and declining numbers, bees are often tested for their susceptibility to pesticides. Photo source: Maciej A. Czyzewski [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 4.0…
Basics of Toxicology Estimating risk to humans 25 Dec 2018December 29, 2021 Featured image: The difference between hazard and risk. Image source: European Food Safety Authority, 2016 We all know sharks can be dangerous. But most of us don't spend our waking…
Basics of Toxicology Testing for toxicity 21 Dec 2018December 29, 2021 Featured image: A lot of toxicity testing takes place in the lab (Yakuzakorat [CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons) Before I explain why and how scientists test the toxicity…
Special Topics Correlation vs Causation 18 Dec 2018December 29, 2021 Featured image: A comic strip explaining the difference between correlation and causation. Image source: xkcd.com As noted in this classic science comic, people often think correlation implies causation. And this…
EnTox Simplified 