High levels of tau protein in fluid bathing the brain are linked to poor recovery after head trauma, according to a study from the School of Medicine and the Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan, Italy. The results were reported online Nov. 23 in the journal Brain.

Jennifer K. Lodge, PhD, and Ernst Zinner, PhD, have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. Lodge and Zinner are among 539 new fellows who will be acknowledged in the Dec. 23 issue of Science magazine.

Olin Dean Mahendra R. Gupta (right), PhD, chats with degree candidate Jamie Wolf of the Executive MBA (EMBA) St. Louis program prior to the Dec. 9 EMBA graduation. The event marked the first time that all three of Olin’s EMBA programs — St. Louis, Kansas City and Shanghai — graduated in the same place and at the same time.

A section of Throop Drive that runs in front of the Knight Center and Eliot Hall will close for construction beginning Thursday, Dec. 22. That stretch of Throop Drive will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 17. Also closing Dec. 22 are three levels of Millbrook Garage’s southwest section that face the Knight Center and Eliot Hall. The three levels are slated for demolition and will not reopen. Both closings are in preparation for the construction of two new buildings for Olin Business School.

The Civil Justice Clinic (CJC) at the School of Law has received Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s (LSEM) 2011 Ashley Award. LSEM selected the CJC because of the work that clinic faculty, students and staff undertake in protecting the rights of children and families.

9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14

Bear Necessities Annual Holiday Sale 

Open until 8 p.m. Last chance to get 15 percent off all WUSTL logo items. Store operated by Women’s Society of Washington U. and all proceeds fund the Elizabeth Gray Danforth Scholarship Endowment. Umrath House, South 40, (314) 935-5071.

Brown School’s Toys for Tots drive ends Friday

Just a few days remain to participate in the 2011 annual Brown School Toys for Tots drive. Drop new, unwrapped toys in four locations in Goldfarb Hall through Friday, Dec. 16.

James W. Fleshman Jr., MD

A pioneer in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. FULL STORY

Women’s basketball rallies to win at Loras College

Senior Claire Schaeperkoetter and junior Annie Sayers combined to score the final 19 points and helped the No. 10 women’s basketball team rally to a 55-50 win at Loras College Dec. 9. The Bears (7-1) return to action against Webster University for their final home game of the semester at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the WU Field House.