Studying brain scans and cerebrospinal fluid of healthy adults, scientists have shown that changes in key markers of Alzheimer’s disease during midlife may help identify those who will develop dementia years later, according to new School of Medicine research.

Scientists attending a workshop at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory tried to imagine what they’d do if they could redesign plants at will. The ideas from the group, which included Arts & Sciences’ Robert Blankenship, PhD, may make the difference between full bellies and empty ones in the near future, as the world’s population could reach 10.5 billion by 2050.

John A. Cooper, MD, PhD, has been named head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the School of Medicine. Cooper’s research is focused on understanding how cells move and change shape. Dean Larry J. Shapiro, MD, announced the appointment.

Barry R. Schactman, professor emeritus of drawing and painting in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, died at his home July 3, surrounded by family and friends, after a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 85.

At a recent Board of Trustees meeting, more than two-dozen faculty members were granted tenure or promoted with tenure, with most of the new roles effective July 1.