Newsroom Stories

You wouldn’t know it by current world events, but humans actually evolved to be peaceful, cooperative and social animals. In a new book, an anthropologist at Washington University in St. Louis goes against the prevailing view and argues that primates, including early humans, evolved not as hunters but as prey of many predators, including wild dogs and cats, hyenas, eagles and crocodiles. Despite popular theories posed in research papers and popular literature, early man was not an aggressive killer, argues Robert W. Sussman, Ph.D., professor of anthropology in Arts & Sciences.

An evolutionary and population biologist at Washington University in St. Louis says that Ernst Mayr’s theory of genetic revolution has been illustrated nicely in recent years in human genetic epidemiology and population biology studies. Alan R. Templeton, Ph.D., Washington University professor of biology in Arts & Sciences, said that there is an extensive documentation of genetic interaction over the past few years including his own genetic epidemiology studies of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Growing biopiracy concerns have fueled urgent calls for a new system of legal protection for traditional knowledge. Detractors of the current patent systems say that the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities does not readily fit into the existing rules of the industrialized world and that these rules basically promote the interests of the industrialized world. However, Charles McManis, J.D., IP and technology law expert and the Thomas and Karole Green Professor of Law at Washington University in St. Louis, argues that “at least in the short run, existing intellectual property regimes offer the most realistic avenue for securing effective legal protection for traditional knowledge holders.”

mp3 fileIn this acuality, Sussman discusses the fact that a human ancestor species called Australopithecus afarensis that lived between 5 million and 2.5 million years ago was what’s called an “edge species”. That is, they could adapt both to living in trees and on the ground. Most primate edge species actually are prey rather than […]

A Missouri mathematician believes that the state’s moniker has great bearing on the status of modern mathematical proofs: Show Me. Steven Krantz, Ph.D., professor of mathematics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, said that it is becoming more difficult to verify proofs today and that the concept of the proof has undergone serious change over the course of his 30-plus years career,

It is very common for cities to declare their intent to become the next telecommunications corridor, biotechnology hub, or some other kind of technological center. But what often goes unexamined is how the human resource development strategy aligns with the economic goals of the municipality. Building civic capacity to support the learning of science and mathematics is vitally important for St. Louis and other cities. To this end, partnerships between schools and universities to advance human development are critical, says William Tate, Ph.D., Edward Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and Director of the St. Louis Center for Inquiry in Science Teaching and Learning.

“Improving Women’s Participation in Elected Office” will be the topic of discussion as women representing Missouri’s Republican and Democratic parties visit Washington University’s Hilltop Campus for a public forum at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in Room 201, Rebstock Hall.

Michael Douglas, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for research, is leaving Washington University to focus greater energy on family owned businesses outside of St. Louis. Additionally, Douglas announced that he plans to remain a resident of St. Louis and work independently on technology development, intellectual property licensing, startup companies and venture capital investment to spur biotechnology advancement in the region.

The method focuses on improving body movements and physical function; it’s commonly studied by athletes and performing artists.

Photo by David KilperPhase 4B of a new residence hall on the South 40 continues, in which both Koenig and Liggett halls were scheduled to be replaced.