Newsroom Stories

Alexander Calandra, Ph.D., professor emeritus of physical science in physics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University, died Wednesday, March 8, 2006. Calandra, who joined WUSTL in 1947 and retired in 1979, was nationally known for his work in science education. He was 95.

A blood vessel that has become narrowed by build-up from cholesterol and other substancesA pill containing plant substances called sterols can help lower cholesterol, according to researchers at the School of Medicine. The researchers studied patients who already were eating a heart-healthy diet and taking statin drugs to control cholesterol. The addition of plant sterols helped further lower total cholesterol and contributed to a nearly 10 percent reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the so-called “bad” cholesterol.

In this PET image, the arrow shows inflammation of the lungs.A noninvasive approach for assessing lung inflammation should accelerate efforts to develop drugs for inflammatory lung conditions like cystic fibrosis and pneumonia, scientists at the School of Medicine report. Researchers have used positron emission tomography (PET) scans to monitor artificially induced inflammation in the lungs of healthy volunteers. The new imaging process may help doctors monitor the conditions of patients with inflammatory lung diseases and should make it easier for investigators to test potential anti-inflammatory drugs.

Tiles painted by cancer patients and their familiesPatients undergoing treatment at the Siteman Cancer Center have a new option to pass the time. They can get creative and paint ceramic tiles for a display in the treatment area. Arts as Healing, a program facilitated by the School of Medicine’s Medical Photography, Illustration and Computer Graphics (MedPIC) department, is currently working on “Your Square Matters,” which allows patients and their families to paint a 4-inch square ceramic tile.

The March 3 meeting included presentations by faculty members and breakout sessions to discuss medical education, biomedical research and patient care.

Women’s hoops wins, moves to sectionals The third-ranked women’s basketball team (25-2, 13-1 University Athletic Association) secured a trip to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament with a pair of wins at the Field House, as WUSTL hosted regional contests March 3-4. The Bears defeated Manchester College, 70-54, in the first round March 3 […]

She’s executive director of the National Center for Science Education, a nonprofit organization that defends the teaching of evolution in the public schools.

The series will consist of four feature films and four short films from seven different African nations; all screenings are free and begin at 7 p.m. in Brown Hall.

Photo by Tim ParkerMedical students and guests share a laugh with Larry Shapiro at the first of two Senior Dinners with the Dean at the Lindell Pavilion at Forest Park.

Photo by Kevin LowderRelay for Life included more than 1,700 participants who helped to raise a University-record of more than $252,000 for the American Cancer Society.