Scientists have captured the most detailed structural images to date of a specific type of protein’s DNA repair process, a finding that could reveal ways to inhibit the effects of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations that heighten the risk for breast, ovarian and other cancers.

UC Irvine-led study found that exposure to previously unknown PFAS chemicals was associated with a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer.

Researchers analyzed blood samples from 125 newborn children with leukemia and 219 without cancer in Los Angeles County, also finding higher levels of PFOA and PFOS linked to increased risk.

The study builds on earlier research linking PFAS in drinking water to childhood cancers and calls for further study as exposure remains widespread.