Latest News from: Washington University in St. Louis

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Newswise: Back to Antarctica with SPIDER
Released: 7-Dec-2022 7:05 AM EST
Back to Antarctica with SPIDER
Washington University in St. Louis

In the next few weeks, a team led by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will fly an instrument called SPIDER. They are looking for a pattern, or polarization, in the earliest light we can measure.

Released: 5-Dec-2022 5:30 PM EST
Immunotherapy eliminates disease-causing cells in mice with MS-like disease
Washington University in St. Louis

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown that the cancer therapy known as CAR-T can be applied to multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the nervous system. The findings extend the powerful tool of immunotherapy to autoimmune diseases, a class of diseases that are often debilitating and difficult to treat.

   
Newswise: Findings from 3,000-year-old Uluburun shipwreck reveal complex trade network
28-Nov-2022 1:10 PM EST
Findings from 3,000-year-old Uluburun shipwreck reveal complex trade network
Washington University in St. Louis

Using advanced geochemical analyses, a team of scientists, including Michael Frachetti, professor of archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis, have uncovered new answers to decades-old questions about trade of tin throughout Eurasia during the Late Bronze Age.

   
Released: 29-Nov-2022 11:55 AM EST
Machine learning model builds on imaging methods to better detect ovarian lesions
Washington University in St. Louis

Research from Quing Zhu’s lab yields a novel method to use ultrasound to enhance machine learning's ability to accurately diagnose - or rule out - ovarian cancer.

Not for public release

This news release is embargoed until 28-Nov-2022 7:05 PM EST Released to reporters: 28-Nov-2022 2:15 PM EST

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Newswise: Diagnostic marker found for deadly brain disease marked by dementia, movement problems
21-Nov-2022 5:45 PM EST
Diagnostic marker found for deadly brain disease marked by dementia, movement problems
Washington University in St. Louis

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found a biomarker that identifies, with up to 89% accuracy, people with a rare, deadly, untreatable brain disease called corticobasal degeneration (CBD). The biomarker could accelerate efforts to develop treatments for CBD.

Newswise: Drug triggers immune cells to attack prostate cancer
Released: 22-Nov-2022 11:05 PM EST
Drug triggers immune cells to attack prostate cancer
Washington University in St. Louis

A single drug compound simultaneously attacks hard-to-treat prostate cancer on several fronts, according to a new study in mice and human cells.

Newswise: Lung infections caused by soil fungi are a problem nationwide
Released: 16-Nov-2022 5:05 PM EST
Lung infections caused by soil fungi are a problem nationwide
Washington University in St. Louis

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis discovered that the three main kinds of soil fungi that cause lung infections have all expanded their ranges in recent decades. Reliance on outdated maps could be causing delayed or missed diagnoses.

Newswise: Study yields clues to why Alzheimer’s disease damages certain parts of the brain
Released: 16-Nov-2022 4:45 PM EST
Study yields clues to why Alzheimer’s disease damages certain parts of the brain
Washington University in St. Louis

A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis yields clues to why certain parts of the brain are particularly vulnerable to Alzheimer’s damage. It comes down to the gene APOE, the greatest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The parts of the brain where APOE is most active are the areas that sustain the most damage, they found.

Newswise: WashU Expert: West must grasp Putin’s worldview to avoid further surprise
Released: 15-Nov-2022 12:05 PM EST
WashU Expert: West must grasp Putin’s worldview to avoid further surprise
Washington University in St. Louis

To much of the world, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions leading up to and since the invasion of Ukraine have often appeared unpredictable and illogical. For example, when faced with embarrassing military setbacks, Putin doubled down with a massive military mobilization rather than looking for an exit strategy — as most assumed he would do.

Released: 10-Nov-2022 3:50 PM EST
Researchers bring eating disorder awareness to MO schools
Washington University in St. Louis

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded researchers Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft and Denise Wilfley a grant to help improve outcomes for eating disorders in adolescent girls.

Newswise: Repeat COVID-19 infections increase risk of organ failure, death
8-Nov-2022 5:35 PM EST
Repeat COVID-19 infections increase risk of organ failure, death
Washington University in St. Louis

A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system shows the health consequences of COVID-19 reinfection. The researchers found that repeat SARS-CoV-2 infections contribute significant additional risk of adverse health conditions in multiple organ systems. Such outcomes include hospitalization; disorders affecting the lungs, heart, brain, and the body’s blood, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal systems; and even death. Reinfection also contributes to diabetes, kidney disease and mental health issues.

Released: 10-Nov-2022 6:05 AM EST
Thirsty wheat needed new water management strategy in ancient China
Washington University in St. Louis

Research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that a practice of purposeful water management, or irrigation, was adopted in northern China about 4,000 years ago as part of an effort to grow new grains that had been introduced from southwest Asia. But the story gets more complex from there. Wheat and barley arrived on the scene at about the same time, but early farmers only used water management techniques for wheat.

8-Nov-2022 4:40 PM EST
Rejuvenated immune cells can improve clearance of toxic waste from brain
Washington University in St. Louis

Rejuvenating the immune cells that live in tissues surrounding the brain improves fluid flow and waste clearance from the brain — and may help treat or even prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Newswise: Polarized X-Rays Reveal Shape, Orientation of Extremely Hot Matter Around Black Hole
Released: 3-Nov-2022 3:15 PM EDT
Polarized X-Rays Reveal Shape, Orientation of Extremely Hot Matter Around Black Hole
Washington University in St. Louis

Researchers’ recent observations of a stellar-mass black hole called Cygnus X-1 reveal new details about the configuration of extremely hot matter in the region immediately surrounding the black hole. Matter is heated to millions of degrees as it is pulled toward a black hole. This hot matter glows in X-rays. Researchers are using measurements of the polarization of these X-rays to test and refine models that describe how black holes swallow matter, becoming some of the most luminous sources of light — including X-rays — in the universe.

Newswise: Worsening Racial Inequality in Home Appraisals Detailed in New Report
Released: 1-Nov-2022 10:20 AM EDT
Worsening Racial Inequality in Home Appraisals Detailed in New Report
Washington University in St. Louis

Using data from the newly released Uniform Appraisal Dataset, which includes 47.3 million home appraisals, WashU’s Elizabeth Korver-Glenn and Junia Howell of the University of Illinois Chicago demonstrate stark inequalities in appraisal values between homes in white neighborhoods and communities of color.

Newswise: Cellular Housekeeping Process Implicated in Fatal Neurological Disorder
Released: 28-Oct-2022 12:15 PM EDT
Cellular Housekeeping Process Implicated in Fatal Neurological Disorder
Washington University in St. Louis

A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that as patients age, Huntington's disease gradually impairs autophagy, which eliminates waste from cells. This housekeeping is significant because a buildup of waste in a specific kind of neuron leads to such cells’ untimely deaths. The researchers also showed that enhancing the autophagy pathway in such neurons that were created from skin cells of Huntington’s patients protects those cells from dying.

Released: 27-Oct-2022 3:15 PM EDT
Study Shows Hazardous Herbicide Chemical Goes Airborne
Washington University in St. Louis

New research from the lab of Kimberly Parker at the McKelvey School of Engineering shows that amines, sometimes used as an additive in herbicides, can enter the atmosphere, where they pose risks for human health and alter the atmosphere.

   
Newswise: New Strategy Shows Potential to Block Nerve Loss in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Released: 26-Oct-2022 6:35 PM EDT
New Strategy Shows Potential to Block Nerve Loss in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Washington University in St. Louis

Two new studies from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis support development of a broadly applicable treatment for neurodegenerative diseases that targets a molecule that serves as the central executioner in the death of axons, the wiring of the nervous system.

Newswise: WashU Experts: Midterm elections have widespread ramifications
Released: 19-Oct-2022 3:55 PM EDT
WashU Experts: Midterm elections have widespread ramifications
Washington University in St. Louis

Voters in this year’s midterm elections, to be held nationwide Nov. 8, will be motivated by a number of hot-button issues, including abortion, climate change, voting rights, the economy and more.Here, Washington University in St. Louis faculty experts weigh in on some of the issues that will be top of voters’ minds as they head to the polls.

Released: 14-Oct-2022 11:05 AM EDT
COVID messaging: caring or condescending?
Washington University in St. Louis

Not all older adults were offended by public health messaging, but they were affected in other ways

Released: 13-Oct-2022 11:40 AM EDT
Before test results, signs of COVID-19 are in water systems
Washington University in St. Louis

A new study from the Lab of Fangqiong Ling at the McKelvey School of Engineering will help facilitate the exchange of data and results between engineers and medical researchers, leading to a more robust understanding of the relationships between viruses moving through the engineered world and diseases spreading through populations.

Released: 12-Oct-2022 2:05 PM EDT
WashU Expert: Post-Dobbs, Supreme Court's legitimacy at risk
Washington University in St. Louis

Putting the politics of the decision aside, the Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling was an enormous loss for the Court itself, producing a sizable — perhaps an unprecedented — dent in public support for the institution, new research from Washington University in St. Louis shows.

Released: 12-Oct-2022 2:05 PM EDT
Americans harmed by COVID-19 more likely to advocate for equality
Washington University in St. Louis

New Washington University in St. Louis research suggests those touched by the sometimes devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are now more likely to recognize sources of inequality and, in turn, advocate for greater equality in the United States.

Newswise: How do tired animals stay awake?
Released: 12-Oct-2022 1:05 PM EDT
How do tired animals stay awake?
Washington University in St. Louis

New research provides clues to falling fast asleep – or lying wide awake. Studying fruit flies, researchers found that brain neurons adapt to different situations. The findings are published in PLoS Biology and could lead to new approaches to treating insomnia and improving sleep quality in people.

   
Newswise: Scientists ID pathway that triggers mice to scratch when they see others do the same
Released: 4-Oct-2022 11:00 AM EDT
Scientists ID pathway that triggers mice to scratch when they see others do the same
Washington University in St. Louis

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a pathway in the brains of mice that is activated when the animals see other mice scratching, but that pathway does not run through the visual cortex.

Newswise: US has capacity to make essential drugs, study finds
Released: 3-Oct-2022 11:05 AM EDT
US has capacity to make essential drugs, study finds
Washington University in St. Louis

The White House has sounded the alarm about vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain. But new research from the Center for Analytics and Business Insights at Olin Business School found that the U.S. actually has the capacity to make the nation’s most essential and critical drugs — yet it's mostly sitting idle.

Newswise: Study reports first evidence of social relationships between chimpanzees, gorillas
Released: 30-Sep-2022 11:15 AM EDT
Study reports first evidence of social relationships between chimpanzees, gorillas
Washington University in St. Louis

A long-term study led by primatologist Crickette Sanz at Washington University in St. Louis reveals the first evidence of lasting social relationships between chimpanzees and gorillas in the wild.Drawn from more than 20 years of observations at Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo, researchers documented social ties between individual chimpanzees and gorillas that persisted over years and across different contexts.

Released: 28-Sep-2022 3:50 PM EDT
Chakrabartty works to make AI more energy efficient
Washington University in St. Louis

As AI systems get smarter, training them requires more and more energy. Shantanu Chakrabartty at the McKelvey School of Engineering is working on making AI not only smart, but efficient.

Newswise: Tighter School Security Leads to Lower Test Scores, Study Finds
Released: 27-Sep-2022 4:00 PM EDT
Tighter School Security Leads to Lower Test Scores, Study Finds
Washington University in St. Louis

As schools around the country have ramped up security efforts in response to recent school shootings, a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis suggests that increased surveillance is having a detrimental impact on academic performance.

Newswise: COVID-19 infections increase risk of long-term brain problems
21-Sep-2022 3:35 PM EDT
COVID-19 infections increase risk of long-term brain problems
Washington University in St. Louis

A comprehensive analysis of federal data by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows people who have had COVID-19 are at an elevated risk of developing neurological conditions within the first year after infection. Movement disorders, memory problems, strokes and seizures are among the complications.

Newswise: No, autumn leaves are not changing color later because of climate change
Released: 22-Sep-2022 6:05 AM EDT
No, autumn leaves are not changing color later because of climate change
Washington University in St. Louis

It’s that time of year again. The days are getting shorter, and the nights are cooling down. But when will the natural fireworks display of autumn leaves actually begin this year?Many people believe that climate change is pushing back the start of fall leaf color to later in the year. The general thinking is that the warmer conditions anticipated under climate change will mean that trees can “hang on” to their green, energy-producing leaves longer.

Newswise: Investigational drug for genetic form of ALS improves disease’s molecular signs
16-Sep-2022 3:05 PM EDT
Investigational drug for genetic form of ALS improves disease’s molecular signs
Washington University in St. Louis

An international phase 3 clinical trial for a rare, inherited form of ALS led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, showed that an investigational drug, known as tofersen, reduced molecular signs of the fatal disease, but at six months did not improve motor control and muscle strength. However, the trial, which was sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Biogen, found evidence that longer-term use of the drug may help stabilize muscle strength and control.

Released: 19-Sep-2022 12:05 PM EDT
Research Shows Constituents Ask Female Legislators to Do More
Washington University in St. Louis

In a study conducted by Dan Butler, professor of political science at Washington University in St. Louis, voters were more likely to contact their female representatives and asked them to do more on a variety of issues including education, health, immigration, the economy and more.

Released: 19-Sep-2022 12:05 PM EDT
Machine learning generates 3D model from 2D pictures
Washington University in St. Louis

Researchers from the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a machine learning algorithm that can create a continuous 3D model of cells from a partial set of 2D images.

Released: 13-Sep-2022 1:45 PM EDT
Personalized Prediction of Depression Treatment Outcomes with Wearables
Washington University in St. Louis

An interdisciplinary team built a multitask machine learning model for randomized controlled trials of the efficacy of certain depression treatments on individuals.

Released: 12-Sep-2022 4:05 PM EDT
Problems Persist for Kids Exposed to Cannabis in the Womb
Washington University in St. Louis

Research finds kids with prenatal exposure to cannabis show more signs of psychopathology as they approach adolescence

Released: 12-Sep-2022 11:05 AM EDT
WashU Expert: Jackson water issues result of environmental racism
Washington University in St. Louis

The increasing demand for electric vehicles and cell phones has accelerated the need for safer energy storage after numerous instances of commercial lithium-ion batteries overheating and catching fire. Peng Bai, assistant professor of energy, environmental & chemical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St.

Newswise: Weedy rice has become herbicide resistant through rapid evolution
Released: 8-Sep-2022 6:05 AM EDT
Weedy rice has become herbicide resistant through rapid evolution
Washington University in St. Louis

Biologists used whole-genome sequences of 48 contemporary weedy rice plants to show how herbicide resistance evolved by gene flow from crop rice. Almost all other cases of herbicide resistance in agricultural weeds result from selection of tolerant genotypes in the weed species.

Released: 7-Sep-2022 5:05 AM EDT
John Baugh on African American English & his role in new African American English Dictionary
Washington University in St. Louis

The increasing demand for electric vehicles and cell phones has accelerated the need for safer energy storage after numerous instances of commercial lithium-ion batteries overheating and catching fire. Peng Bai, assistant professor of energy, environmental & chemical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St.

Released: 6-Sep-2022 1:05 PM EDT
Restoring movement after spinal cord injury focus of new research
Washington University in St. Louis

Ismael Seáñez will lead an interdisciplinary team of Washington University researchers and physicians to understand the changes in the neural circuits that may result in motor function improvements through using spinal cord stimulation.

Released: 2-Sep-2022 1:55 PM EDT
Water-based gel to be tested as dressing for diabetic wounds
Washington University in St. Louis

In early experiments, Jianjun Guan and his team found that after applying a single dose of their wound dressing into wounds in young diabetic mice, the wounds completely closed at day 14. Wounds that were treated only with the hydrogel or were untreated were reduced to roughly half of their original size.

31-Aug-2022 2:45 PM EDT
Low testosterone may increase risk of COVID-19 hospitalization for men
Washington University in St. Louis

Men with low testosterone who develop COVID-19 are at elevated risk of becoming seriously ill and ending up in the hospital, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Newswise: Simple blood test predicts neurotoxic complications of CAR-T cell therapy
31-Aug-2022 3:05 PM EDT
Simple blood test predicts neurotoxic complications of CAR-T cell therapy
Washington University in St. Louis

A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests a simple blood test — administered before CAR-T cell treatment is initiated — may identify which patients are predisposed to developing neurotoxic side effects in the days and weeks after CAR-T cell therapy.

Newswise: New Technology Offers Pathways to Finding Treatments for Kidney Disease
Released: 31-Aug-2022 5:10 PM EDT
New Technology Offers Pathways to Finding Treatments for Kidney Disease
Washington University in St. Louis

McKelvey Engineering, School of Medicine collaborate to develop hydrogel system that preserves the biochemistry and mechanical environments of cultured podocyte cells

   
Newswise: Drug combo therapy in mice blocks drug resistance, halts tumor growth
Released: 31-Aug-2022 4:45 PM EDT
Drug combo therapy in mice blocks drug resistance, halts tumor growth
Washington University in St. Louis

An experimental combination of two drugs halts the progression of small cell lung cancer, the deadliest form of lung cancer, according to a study in mice from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Grenoble Alpes University in Grenoble, France, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Newswise: Push, pull or swirl: The many movements of cilia
Released: 31-Aug-2022 11:05 AM EDT
Push, pull or swirl: The many movements of cilia
Washington University in St. Louis

A research team from Washington University in St. Lous has developed a model to explain how cilia beat.

   
Released: 30-Aug-2022 7:05 PM EDT
TIGERISS roars toward space station spot
Washington University in St. Louis

Physicists from Washington University in St. Louis are developing a new experiment envisioned for the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers Program. The Trans-Iron Galactic Element Recorder for the International Space Station (TIGERISS) will be designed to measure the abundances of ultra-heavy galactic cosmic rays. Pioneers Program missions have a total cost cap of $20 million.

Newswise: Sept. 7 event:
Released: 26-Aug-2022 12:05 PM EDT
Sept. 7 event: "My 50 Years Exploring Mars: From the Viking Landers to the Perseverance Rover"
Washington University in St. Louis

In this public lecture, Raymond E. Arvidson, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Washington University in St. Louis, will share highlights and reflections gleaned from a half century of investigating the red planet.



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