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On the battlefield, a soldier’s hearing can be permanently damaged in an instant by the boom of an explosion, and thousands of soldiers returning from Iraq have some permanent hearing loss. But what if soldiers could take a pill before going on duty that would prevent damage to hearing? Research at the School of Medicine suggests a medicinal form of hearing protection may someday be a possibility.

Leading experts in the fields of mental health services, civic service and human behavior weigh in on issues of social change.

An abdominal MRI scan showing the locations of subcutaneous and visceral fatAs scientists learn more about the key role of inflammation in diabetes, heart disease and other disorders, new research from the School of Medicine suggests that fat in the belly may be an important promoter of that inflammation. It’s well known that excess fat is associated with disease, but the researchers have confirmed that fat cells inside the abdomen are secreting molecules that increase inflammation. It’s the first evidence of a potential mechanistic link between abdominal fat and systemic inflammation.

Photo by David Kilper

Four alumni of the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis will receive the Distinguish Alumni Awards on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at the school’s annual dinner at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis in Clayton. Mahendra Gupta, dean of the business school, will also present the Dean’s Medal at the same dinner.

Parag Parikh and Kristen Lechleiter set up the 4D Phantom to simulate the motion of tumors in the lung.Tumors that move, such as those in the lung — which can change position during each breath — are a special problem for radiation oncologists. A group at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has studied the way lung tissues move during breathing in hopes of improving radiation as a treatment for lung cancer.

Thomas F. Eagleton, who joined the faculty after serving nearly two decades in the U.S. Senate, died Sunday, March 4, 2007, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond Heights, Mo. He was 77 years old.

Photo by Jennifer SilverbergFreshman Jared Burkowitz watches as Mark Hartmann tops off fluids in Burkowitz’s car at a free travelers’ vehicle inspection service offered to students, faculty and staff March 3.

Photo by Ray MarklinSchool of Medicine students teach area high-schoolers about preventing HIV and AIDS at an annual Wellness Day.

Photo by Kevin LowderDespite a low temperature that reached 19 degrees, the annual Relay For Life all-night walk around Bushyhead Track at Francis Field drew more than 2,000 participants March 3 to raise money for the American Cancer Society.