Author: Ken Duenke

Scientists have discovered that a group of important immune system cells has a surprising resemblance to cinematic British superspy James Bond: the cells receive a “license” that allows them to unleash their most potent attacks on enemies.

As men age, testosterone and growth hormone levels gradually wane. Energy, strength and physical function tend to decline as well. Geriatrician Ellen Binder is trying to determine if she can slow the process by restoring hormones in older men to more youthful levels. See details in the following St. Louis Post-Dispatch front-page article.

RichardsPresident Bush’s nomination of John Roberts to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by Sandra Day O’Connor’s retirement has the potential to spark a messy confirmation process. “I think that both sides have been preparing for a war that seems inevitable regardless of whomever was nominated,” says Neil Richards, former law clerk for Chief Justice William Rehnquist and associate professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. “On a personal level, I know John fairly well, and really like him. I’d imagine that he and I would disagree about many basic ideological and interpretive questions of law, but he’s very smart and a very decent human being who has the right sort of personality to do the job in a collegial and effective manner. So I strongly support his nomination, especially when I consider some of the other names on the shortlist, who lacked either John’s qualifications, his intellect, or his judicious temperament.”

Photo by Kevin LowderBetsy Foy (left) and Kay Komotos walk on campus June 22 as part of the WU Walks program, which encourages personal health and well-being.

Each individual’s reponse to aerobic training allowed the researchers to identify regions on chromosomes 6, 7 and 19 that are linked to the debilitating disease.

Cathepsin G regulates the ability of neutrophils to secrete chemicals that attract other immune cells and start the local inflammatory process.

He served as the organization’s vice president this past year, and has been elected an AAI counselor for years; he will serve a one-year term as president.

Participants must be in stable health and not be performing vigorous exercise more than one time a week.

Photo by Robert BostonMembers of the acrobatic troupe the Flying Wallendas visit the lab of Aaron DiAntonio, M.D. DiAntonio hopes to name a recently discovered gene “Wallenda.”

It might help babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen and reduced blood flow, which is linked to premature birth and other irregularities. More medical news