Estrogen is important for bone health in men as well as women

DXA scans of a male patient with osteoporosisAlthough women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis, or porous bone, one in 12 men also suffer from the disease, which can lead to debilitating – or even life-threatening – fractures. In women, low estrogen levels after menopause have been considered an important risk factor for this disorder. Now research at the School of Medicine has shown that low amounts of active estrogen metabolites also can increase the the risk of osteoporosis in men.

School of Medicine’s Shell Café to undergo renovation

The 35-year-old kitchen and the serving lines at the McDonnell Sciences Shell Café will undergo a major three-month renovation starting May 21. New freezer capacity, improved dry storage, more adequate catering space, new high-tech ovens and a special pizza oven are just a few of the changes being initiated.

Of note

Joseph P. Culver, Ph.D., assistant professor of radiology, has received a two-year, $392,208 grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering for research titled “Full Head, High Density Functional Diffuse Optical Tomography.”… Ramesh Raghavan, M.D., Ph.D. assistant professor of psychiatry in Arts & Sciences, has received a two-year, $99,770 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for research titled “Assuring the Emotional Well-Being of Children in Child Welfare Environments through Stable Health Insurance Coverage.”… Edgar T. Overton, M.D., assistant professor of medicine, has received a four-year, $387,195 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration for the “Ryan White Title III Outpatient EIS Program.”… Fiona Marshall, Ph.D. professor of archaeology in Arts & Sciences, has received a one-year, $12,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for research titled “Pithouses to Pueblos: Aggregation, Animals, and Sustainability Seen through Taos Zooarchaeology and Isotopes.”

Three faculty elected to National Academy of Sciences

Three University scientists recently were elected to the National Academy of Sciences. WUSTL’s new academy members are Clifford M. Will, Ph.D., the James S. McDonnell Professor of Physics in Arts & Sciences; Wayne M. Yokoyama, M.D., the Sam J. Levin and Audrey Loew Levin Professor of Research in Arthritis and professor of medicine and of pathology and immunology; and Aaron J. Ciechanover, M.D., D.Sc., visiting professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine and the Research Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Campus Watch

The following incidents were reported to University Police May 1-7. Readers with information that could assist in investigating these incidents are urged to call 935-5555. This information is provided as a public service to promote safety awareness and is available on the University Police Web site at police.wustl.edu. May 1 10:43 a.m. — A person reported that a locker room had been broken into in the men’s locker room in the Athletic Complex between 10:10-10:40 a.m. on this date. Total loss is estimated at $1,940. 1:10 p.m. — Copper piping belonging to Albert Arno Heating and Cooling Co. was stolen from the north equipment room sometime in the previous week. Total loss is estimated at $350. May 7 8:18 a.m. — Blue light No. 31 by the Ann W. Olin Women’s Building was found to be damaged. Telephone services and maintenance were both notified. Additionally, University Police responded to two auto accidents and one report each of lost article, damaged property and larceny.

Choreographed research

Photo by Kevin Lowder(From left) Shaina Goodman, a junior in Women and Gender Studies; Patricia Engel, a junior in biology; and Jamie Yasgur, a sophomore in Women and Gender Studies, all in Arts & Sciences, perform “Close.Closer.Closed” at the 2007 Undergraduate Research Symposium April 28 in the Athletic Complex.

Bender, Piwnica-Worms to receive 2007 faculty achievement awards

Carl M. Bender, Ph.D., and Helen M. Piwnica-Worms, Ph.D., will receive the University’s 2007 faculty achievement awards, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton announced. Bender, professor of physics in Arts & Sciences, is the winner of the Arthur Holly Compton Faculty Achievement Award, and Piwnica-Worms, professor of cell biology and physiology and of internal medicine at the School of Medicine, is the winner of the Carl and Gerty Cori Faculty Achievement Award.
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