Black children are involved in reported cases of child abuse at approximately twice the rate of white children — generally attributed to racial bias in the child welfare system. But in a recent study, F. Brett Drake, PhD, professor at the Brown School, finds that much of the overrepresentation of black children in maltreatment reporting is due to increased exposure to risk factors such as poverty. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21970.aspx

The Jane and Whitney Harris St. Louis Community Service Award was established in 2000 for couples who work tirelessly to enhance the St. Louis region. On Feb. 16 at a Harbison House luncheon, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and other dignitaries honored this year’s selection, Maxine Clark and Bob Fox. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21981.aspx

Five decades after the discovery of a rare but potentially pivotal immune cell, scientists at the School of Medicine have found a way to eliminate it in mice. The finding, which appeared in the journal Immunity, will enable more detailed investigations of the important roles the plasmacytoid dendritic cell plays in fighting viruses and causing autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and lupus. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21668.aspx

Gerald L. Early, PhD, the Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters and director of the Center for the Humanities in Arts & Sciences, has been named to the Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences established by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21956.aspx

Wayne Fields, PhD (left), the Lynne Cooper Harvey Distinguished Professor of English in Arts & Sciences and director of the Danforth Center on Religion & Politics, leads a discussion that included three members of Congress on the roles that citizens, elected officials and the media play in promoting civility in a democratic society.  “A Vision of Civility” was held Feb. 24 in the Knight Center. MORE

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21982.aspx

• 4 p.m. Annual T.S. Eliot Lecture. “Britain and America: An Easy Commerce of the Old and New.” Sir Nigel Sheinwald, British ambassador to the U.S., will deliver a major policy address. Ridgley Hall, Holmes Lounge. Free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged. (314) 935-8003.

• Free vehicle inspection tomorrow. The WUSTL Police Department and Parking Services, in partnership with Hartmann’s Towing, will sponsor a free vehicle inspection service to students, faculty and staff Saturday, March 5. The inspections will be held outside of Alumni House off Wallace Drive between noon and 2:30 p.m. Inspection staff will check tire pressure, fluid levels, wipers and headlights and taillights.

• Men’s tennis rests up at home. The men’s tennis team, which is 4-2 on the young season, has a week to hone its game until beginning a two-match homestand March 11 and 12. The Bears take on NCAA Division II No. 20 Northwest Missouri State University at 3 p.m. Friday, March 11, and then host Graceland University at noon Saturday, March 12.