Alzheimer’s gene poses both risk — and benefits
A new study the School of Medicine shows that having a working copy of the gene TREM2 can reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease under certain conditions but worsen disease in others.
Moving toward a pay-for-value model of prescription drug pricing
Prescription drug prices have skyrocketed and fixing the complex pricing models is complicated. That’s no excuse for not trying, says the School of Law’s Rachel Sachs.
Genetic testing helps set safe dose of common blood thinner
A new study led by the School of Medicine shows that genetic testing can improve the safety of warfarin, a common blood thinner, for patients at high risk of dangerous blood clots.
Antibiotics warranted for kids with minor staph infections
Research led by the School of Medicine indicates that prescribing antibiotics — in addition to lancing and draining staph-infected areas — reduces the risk of recurrent infections.
Chemo-loaded nanoparticles target breast cancer that has spread to bone
Scientists at the School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a nanoparticle that can deliver chemotherapy directly to tumor cells that have spread to bone. Research in mice showed the treatment kills tumor cells and reduces bone destruction while sparing healthy cells from side effects.
Antibody protects against both Zika and dengue, mouse study shows
A new study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that an antibody that protects against dengue virus is also effective against Zika in mice.
Breathing dirty air may harm kidneys
Outdoor air pollution has long been linked to major health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A new study now adds kidney disease to the list, according to researchers at the School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs (VA) St. Louis Health Care System.
Scanning for clues to our ancient past
The mummified remains of a 7-month-old baby boy and pieces of skull from two teenage Triceratops underwent computed tomography (CT) scans Sept. 16 at the School of Medicine, in hopes researchers could learn more about the ancient past.
Newly ID’d role of major Alzheimer’s gene suggests possible therapeutic target
A study led by researchers at the School of Medicine shows that the presence of ApoE4 exacerbates the brain damage caused by toxic tangles of a different Alzheimer’s-associated protein: tau. In the absence of ApoE, tau tangles did very little harm to brain cells.
Scientists find way to convert bad body fat into good fat
Research at the School of Medicine has identified a way to convert bad, white fat into good, brown fat, at least in mice. The findings raise the prospect of developing more effective treatments, in people, for obesity and diabetes related to weight gain.
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