Newsroom Stories

Top: normal lungs. Bottom: asthmatic lungs.Many young children who get a severe skin rash develop asthma months or years later. Doctors call the progression from eczema, or atopic dermatitis, to breathing problems the atopic march. Now scientists at the School of Medicine have uncovered what might be the key to atopic march. They’ve shown that a substance secreted by damaged skin circulates through the body and triggers asthmatic symptoms in allergen-exposed laboratory mice.

A new drug-free treatment for asthma has been shown to be effective in an international study of patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma. The results showed statistically significant improvements in quality of life and reductions in asthma attacks and emergency room visits for patients who underwent the treatment.

Inside of the diamond cellOf the 92 naturally occurring elements, add another to the list of those that are superconductors. James S. Schilling, Ph.D., professor of physics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, and Mathew Debessai, Ph.D., — Schilling’s doctoral student at the time — discovered that europium becomes superconducting at 1.8 K (-456 °F) and 80 GPa (790,000 atmospheres) of pressure, making it the 53rd known elemental superconductor and the 23rd at high pressure.

The Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis will launch a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management specialized program in September 2009. The 12-month, 36-credit-hour program will be multi-disciplinary with a cutting-edge curriculum and active collaboration with industry leaders and the supply chain issues they encounter.

Frank FlinnNotre Dame University’s decision to invite President Obama to deliver the university’s commencement address on Sunday has sparked strong protests from groups who disagree with Obama’s stand on abortion and stem cell research. Despite condemnation of Obama’s speech by a number of prominent American bishops, the Vatican may be more interested in moderation and conciliation in its dealings with Obama, suggests Frank K. Flinn, a close observer of religious politics and author of the Encyclopedia of Catholicism (2007).

Joe Angeles/WUSTL PhotoTrustee Maxine Clark (L) presents Wendy Kopp with an honorary degree from WUSTL.Inexperience and time give recent college graduates an advantage in solving the problems of inequity in education in the United States, said Wendy Kopp to the Class of 2009 during the 148th Commencement ceremony at Washington University in St. Louis.

Joe Angeles/WUSTL PhotoWendy Kopp addresses the Class of 2009Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach For America, delivered Washington University’s 148th Commencement address May 15 before a standing-room only audience of more than 15,000 in Brookings Quadrangle. Of the 2,642 graduating students in the Class of 2009, 25 are entering Teach For America — the national corps of outstanding college graduates who commit to teach for at least two years in some of the country’s highest-need schools and become lifelong leaders in pursuit of educational excellence and equity.

The 17th annual W Club Golf Scramble will take place June 15 at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Ballwin, Mo.

Joe Angeles/WUSTL PhotoInexperience and time give recent college graduates an advantage in solving the problems of inequity in education in the United States, said Wendy Kopp to the Class of 2009 during the 148th Commencement ceremony. A slideshow of Commencement images is included.

Washington University Orthopedics has been chosen to provide medical care for players on the new, WPS, Women’s Professional Soccer team, Saint Louis Athletica. The orthopedics group also cares for the St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Rams and other sports teams. Robert Brophy, a former soccer player and a sports medicine specialist, will serve as head team physician.