Author: Ken Duenke

KingM. Kenton King dean of the Washington University School of Medicine for nearly 25 years, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at his home in University City. He was 84.

Solnica-KrezelLilianna Solnica-Krezel has been named head of the Department of Developmental Biology at the School of Medicine. Larry J. Shapiro, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, announced the appointment, effective Jan.1.

A genetic mutation found in four children born with multiple abnormalities may provide insight into potential treatments for newborn lung distress and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

DeBaunMichael R. DeBaun has been elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors medical scientists in the United States can receive. DeBaun was recognized for his major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health.

Urvashi Vaid, a stalwart of the LGBT movement, will deliver the Spencer T. Olin Fellows annual lecture, “Beyond the Wedding Ring: LGBT Activism in the Age of Obama.” The event will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 in Graham Chapel and is free and open to the public.

Urvashi Vaid, a stalwart of the LGBT movement, will deliver the Spencer T. Olin Fellows annual lecture, “Beyond the Wedding Ring: LGBT Activism in the Age of Obama.” The event will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in Graham Chapel and is free and open to the public.

Photo by Mary ButkusHarold Ford Jr., former Democratic congressman from Tennessee, shares political insight with students in a legislative politics class taught by Michael Minta, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science in Arts & Sciences.

Washington University, like much of the region, continues to experience an increase in the number of cases of presumed 2009 H1N1 influenza. Thus far, all cases have been mild to moderate. The University will continue to offer seasonal flu vaccines to its students and it expects to have supplies of 2009 H1N1 vaccine available for distribution soon.

A study of mental decline in the years prior to diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease suggests that changing the focus of testing may help physicians detect signs of the disease much earlier. School of Medicine researchers have found that visuospatial skills, evaluated with tasks such as connecting the dots or using a guide to build a structure with blocks, begin to deteriorate up to three years prior to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Cells in the retina quickly adjust to darkness by way of an intricate process.Ever wonder how your eyes adjust during a blackout? When we go from light to near total darkness, cells in the retina must quickly adjust. Vision scientists at the School of Medicine have identified an intricate process that allows the human eye to quickly adapt to darkness. The same process also allows the eye to function in bright light.