Newsroom Stories

Photo by David KilperLars Angenent (right) and Jason He examine the upflow microbial fuel cell, which can turn wastewater into electricity.The upflow microbial fuel cell is fed continually and works with chambers atop each other rather than beside each other.

Photo by Robert BostonMembers of the acrobatic troupe the Flying Wallendas visit the lab of Aaron DiAntonio, M.D. DiAntonio hopes to name a recently discovered gene “Wallenda.”

The event is made possible by an endowment from 1940 alum Carl Neureuther, who encouraged University students to read for pleasure throughout their lives.

It might help babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen and reduced blood flow, which is linked to premature birth and other irregularities. More medical news

Photo by Mary ButkusRudolph Clay receives his award from Chancellor Wrighton.”He is a strong subject specialist, and he is a superb reference librarian,” says Shirley K. Baker, vice chancellor for information technology and dean of University Libraries.

Listed below are this month’s featured news stories. • Pomegranate juice good for moms (week of July 6) • Why depression is bad for hearts (week of July 13) • Risk factors for suicide (week of July 20) • Genes affect response to alcohol (week of July 27)

Arthritis can hit harder in African- Americans.A pilot study comparing the results of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in African-Americans and Caucasians has revealed that African-Americans are more likely to suffer pain and disability from the disorder. Researchers at the School of Medicine found that both disease activity and the resulting disabilities were worse in African-Americans. Further analysis showed this was linked primarily to socio-economic status rather than race.

Abnormal heart rate variability increases the risk of death for depressed heart patients.Scientists have known for years that depression increases the risk of dying in the months after a heart attack, but they haven’t understood how depression raises that risk. Now, behavioral medicine specialists at the School of Medicine are reporting in the Archives of Internal Medicine that abnormal heart rate variability is partially responsible for depression’s effects in heart patients.

Arthritis can hit harder in African-Americans.A pilot study comparing the results of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in African-Americans and Caucasians has revealed that African-Americans are more likely to suffer pain and disability from the disorder. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis studied a group of 33 African-Americans and 67 Caucasians and found that both disease activity and the resulting disabilities were worse in African-Americans. Further analysis showed this was linked primarily to socio-economic status rather than race.

Abnormal heart rate variability increases the risk of death for depressed heart patients.Scientists have known for years that depression increases the risk of dying in the months after a heart attack, but they haven’t understood how depression raises that risk. Now, behavioral medicine specialists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are reporting in the Archives of Internal Medicine that abnormal heart rate variability is partially responsible for depression’s effects in heart patients.