People with a known, high risk for Alzheimer’s disease develop abnormal brain function even before the appearance of telltale, amyloid plaques that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from researchers at the School of Medicine. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21633.aspx

Cyanobacteria are famous for releasing the oxygen that made Earth a hospitable planet, but some strains also can produce hydrogen gas, a potential biofuel. With the help of a few metabolic tricks, a WUSTL lab has coaxed one such strain to produce champion levels of the gas. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21570.aspx

The Campus Store began renovations in December to expand the store, add a new entrance, update interior space and create a more open floor plan. It will remain open during construction and continue to offer general books, academic course material, clothing, gifts and convenience items. Renovations are scheduled to be complete in August 2011. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21636.aspx

“The recent response of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to the WikiLeaks document dump gives us a peek at the sometimes surreal standards for dealing with classified information and at the fear-mongering in which some government officials are engaging,” says Kathleen Clark, JD, professor of law. Clark teaches and writes about government ethics, national security law, legal ethics and whistleblowing. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21640.aspx

The award-winning Brauer Hall basks in sunshine. In December, Brauer Hall and contractors Clayco Inc. and Murphy Co. received the 2010 Design-Build Institute of America/Mid-America Region Design-Build Award for Best Project. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21629.aspx

• 8 p.m. Dept. of Music Concert. Guitar Gala. Music by Bach, Sor, Tarrega, Villa-Lobos, Domeniconi and others. Graham Chapel. Info: kschultz@artsci.wustl.edu or (314) 935-5566.

• Campus2Home shuttle expanded hours. The Campus2Home shuttles are now operating under expanded hours, 6 p.m.-4 a.m., seven days a week. Previously, the shuttle operated from 7 p.m.-2:30 a.m. The shuttle provides a safe ride home from the Danforth Campus for those living in four designated areas off campus: Skinker-DeBaliviere, Loop South, north of The Loop and just south of the Danforth Campus.

• Men’s basketball splits pair of games. The men’s basketball team evened its overall record to 4-4 last week. Junior Dylan Richter scored a career-high 23 points as WUSTL picked up a 82-65 victory against Fontbonne University Dec. 8. Junior Alex Toth scored a season-high 16 points during the Bears’ 56-55 loss at Wheaton College Dec. 11. The Bears conclude first-semester play at home against No. 10 Illinois Wesleyan University at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18.